Posts Tagged ‘entertainment’

i.TV v1.0 | Published by i.TV, LLC | Via App Store | Free | Released: 10-06-08

Overview

i.TV has quietly entered the app world but needs a larger screen because it has the potential to be a blockbuster among viewer addicts. This app can help you keep track of TV shows in your area - whether you have cable, satellite or still use rabbit ears. It also helps you stay up-to-date with the latest movies and gives you viewing times for your local theater.

Functionality

After you setup an i.TV account, the next thing you’ll need to do with i.TV is plug in your zip code to the preferences, or allow the app to find you. After it does that, it will walk you through setup. If you want to change your viewing preferences, you can tap on the “More” button and change them in the Settings panel. (see below) Continue Reading

If you’re one of those who spent the extra bucks to have a theatre-like experience in your living room, then you’ll love this.

Apple has taken out a patent for an, “automatically adjusting media display in a personal display system.” So what does that mean? Well, basically Apple has requested a patent for a virtual reality headset, with the goal of making the “theatre experience” come to life.

The headset works through the use of eye tracking software. The software builit into the goggles will give the user the impression of sitting in a stadium, theatre or any venue and feel like they are actually there. And for all you nature nuts out there, you should also be able to go for a walk in a park, or a stroll on the beach.

Of course it’s not true virtual reality without the surround sound… well don’t worry, because Apple has incorporated real life sounds for each environment as part of the design.

Now, the virtual reality viewer isn’t exactly a fashion accessory, in fact they look a lot like goggles, but hey, when you’re imagining you’re by yourself anyway, does it really matter?

VirtualDeck v1.6 | Published by Quickdecay | Via App Store | $5.99 | Released: 9-2-08

Overview

While VirtualDeck lets you scratch, loop and distort audio samples, it doesn’t offer much more than that and is actually pretty overpriced and unexciting. Unless you’re looking for a virtual turntable for live performances, there is little added value from this app.

Functionality

VirtualDeck functions like a basic turntable, sans mixer. Users can speed up or slow down samples, adjust effects like cut off and resonance and can scratch. That is pretty much it.

The turntable responds well to touch and records can be slowed down, sped up and scratched with the drag of a finger. While the app succeeds in executing these functions well, there is no way to move the pickup arm to another part of the track (probably because it would be near impossible not to move it unintentionally). This means that there is no way for skipping ahead or backtracking in a track or sample, other than by twirling your finger like crazy. Continue Reading

Spores Origin v1.0.0 | Published by Electronic Arts Inc. | Via App Store | $9.99 | Released: 9-5-08

Overview

Spore Origins has been one of the most highly-anticipated games for the iPhone. It evolved onto the platform on September 5 with a splash. It allows users to take an amoeba-like creature into the evolutionary process by avoiding bigger organisms intent on playing “survival of the fittest” and gobbling up smaller critters.

Gameplay

One thing I appreciated immediately about the game is the depth of the graphics. From the first animated sequence of the asteroid impacting earth and releasing the spores to the actual gameplay, Spore is a visual feast.

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GoSkyWatch Planetrium v2.0 | Published by GoSoftWorks | Via App Store | $9.99 | Released: 8-12-08

Overview

Look! Up in the sky?! … No, down on your iPhone. It’s the entire night sky on your iPhone! GoSkyWatch Planetarium is more than a mouthful, and I’m surprised it doesn’t make your iPhone heavier simply because of how much data it contains.

Ever wondered what a star in the night sky was? GSWP will help you easily identify any star you see, according to your location, time of year, viewing angle and direction that you’re looking. It is simply a wonderfully fun app, especially for educational purposes. My kids are going to freak out.

Functionality

Starting up GSWP may actually take you a while, but just realize it’s putting the galaxy in your hand. It’s worth the wait. You will then be presented with a transparent globe representing the earth. You’ll see the points of the compass located around the sphere which will help you as you rotate the earth according to your viewing direction and angle.

The toolbar at the bottom doesn’t have descriptions with it, but you’ll figure this out quickly. GSWP has plenty of things to look at and may even have you dancing with the stars in happiness.
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LocalEats v1.3.0 | Published by Magellan Press Inc. | Via App Store | $0.99 | Released: 8-20-08

Overview

LocalEats is an app for those with taste. Most likely expensive taste. Its niche is to show you the Top 100 restaurants in your area. If you live in an area which they have covered, that’s great. If not, you’re out of luck. My first search “Near Me” returned “0 Great Restaurants.” I guess I’ll go fix a PB&J.

Functionality

What LocalEats promises to do, it does well, I suppose. Your first screen gives you options of looking at restaurants near your current location, or you can plug in a specific address. It also gives you a city list that is pretty much limited to major U.S. cities.

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Movies.app v1.0 | Published by Jeffrey Grossman | Via App Store | Free | Released: 6-26-08

Jeffery Grossman, the creator of Movies.app, contacted AppleiPhoneApps.com and let us know that he has already submitted an update which fixes some of the key flaws we talked about in our initial Review.

You can see some new screenshots above and we can expect the new version 1.1 to hit the App Store very shortly which will feature these improvements:
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