Readers’ App Reviews – November 2016
Check out some apps released by fellow raywenderlich.com readers in November, including an app to make you a rockstar sound mixer! By Ryan Poolos.
iPlaySax
Whether you are already great at playing the saxophone or are just getting started, iPlaySax is the app for you.
iPlaySax is an all around companion to saxophone musicians everywhere. The highlight of the app is sheet music specifically written and arranged for the app. They cover a variety of skill levels and styles. You can play the sheet music as is if you’d like and even record yourself as you play.
Each piece is also recorded by a real saxophone professional, so you can also play along or even play a duet! Each part was recorded separately so you can select what you’d like to play and the app will fill in the rest.
There are also instructional pieces. There is a finger position chart for beginners or anyone needing a refresher for individual notes. There are video tutorials teaching you anything from breathing techniques to finger exercises. You can buy additional music right in the app or also check out some free music by sharing the app with friends.
iPlaySax is also completely free! So its definitely worth checking out if you’re a saxophone player.
- Author: Filip Davidse
- Most useful tutorial: iOS 8 by Tutorials
- App Store Link: Check it out!
ENY: Events Near You
Ever wonder what might be going on in town? Maybe you’re visiting a new city or just at home looking for something to do. Events Near You will help you find something to do nearby anytime.
From garage sales to concerts to pickup basketball, ENY will show you a map of stuff going on around you. You can easily filter the map based on what interests you using keywords. Once you find something you like you’ll see various information like number of attendees, times, descriptions, and directions.
ENY will also let you save keywords for events that interest you often. When a new event with that keyword is posted, you’ll be notified if you’re nearby when it starts. A great way to get keyed into the local events without even looking for them.
Best of all, ENY isn’t only useful if everyone in your community uses it. It draws from some other popular services like Meetup. So even if you’re the only ENY user in your town right now, you’ll still find some events. And it will only get better as you invite your friends. :]
- Author: Björn Wieczoreck @BWieczoreck
- Most useful tutorial: Dynamic Table View Cell Height and Auto Layout
- App Store Link: Check it out!
Blob.IT
Some of us are always on the hunt for a new word game. This month, one fell right into my lap. :]
Blob.IT has a bit of a different system. Each level has a time limit and fixed number of letters. Letters will highlight and you must create the hidden word from the highlighted letters.
Not just any word will do. Blob.IT has hand selected words. So it won’t be enough to come up with “tone” if the scrambled highlighted word is “note.” So you’ll need to dig deep sometimes. The time limit is for the whole bank of letters, so you don’t have long for each word. Keep going as long as you can before the time runs out.
Blob.IT has GameCenter support with both achievements and leaderboards so you can see how you stack up. You can even challenge your friends to multiplayer.
- Author: Johannes Raufeisen @Blob_IT
- Most useful tutorial: Swift Tutorial Part 3: Tuples, Protocols, Delegates, and Table Views
- App Store Link: Check it out!
Hell Birdie
Hell birdie is lost in our world and needs your help to get back to his dark home.
Hell Birdie is definitely challenging. Its a bit similar to flappy bird but with some interested tweaks. You tap to bounce, but taps on the left of the screen bounce you left and taps on the right bounce you right. Rather than flying side to side, you’re trying to slowly advance up through obstacles. The combination or upward movement and limited movement controls, makes it an easy to game to pick up but difficult to master.
Hell Birdie is our addicting game of the month. The perfect mix of simple mechanics with challenging gameplay makes it hard to just put down. You always want to get just a little… bit… further! ;]
- Author: Binh Huynh
- Most useful tutorial: iOS Games by Tutorials
- App Store Link: Check it out!
Where To Go From Here?
If you saw an app your liked, hop to the App Store and leave a review! A good review always makes a dev’s day. And make sure you tell them you’re from raywenderlich.com; this is a community of makers.
If you’ve never made an app, this is the month! Check out our free tutorials to become an iOS star. What are you waiting for – I want to see your app next month.