Posts Tagged ‘free apps’

If you like the Wii then you will love love iFun. SGN has just released iFun, which turns your iPhone into an accelerometer driven game controller, just like the remote used on the Wii gaming system.

Swing your iPhone around to hit some golf balls, sink some hoops or even knock down some pins. iFun was designed for gamers to use their iPhone as a controller, and not as the main screen, rather you use a desktop computer or laptop to display the gameplay. This application is great for those of you who are sick of being refined to the small screen on your iPhone.

iFun actually turns your iPhone into a larger gaming unit, and just like most other large gaming units, you have the ability to play other gamers over the internet. Invite your Facebook friends to play online or even invite friends with emails from your address book.

To start the fun you must obviously first download the free app at the App Store and second register at their website. This application is available for both the iPhone and the iPod Touch, and the developers say to look out for more sports games coming soon.

Check out the video above to get a first look at how the app works.

The New York Times has reported that Google will be launching a newly designed type of voice recognition software for the iPhone as early as today, and the best part, it’s free.

The way you search on your iPhone will supposedly be revolutionized by this app. The software should allow you to talk into your iPhone and ask anything under the sun, and within a few seconds results should start pouring in.

The New York Times says the app allows you to ask anything like, “Where’s the nearest Starbucks?” The users voice is then converted into a digital file and sent to servers, which then decipher what has been asked. Then the information gets sent to Google’s search engine to get some answers. Within seconds results should start popping up on your iPhone.

Using features that the iPhone already has, like GPS, will help narrow search results down so they are relevant to your area.

Hopefully this app will not lead to frustration like other voice recognition software has in the past, which usually ends with the user yelling and screaming into their iPhone, “Not Judy… I said Charlotte!” - and I’m sure we all know that frustrating feeling.

Currently both Microsoft and Yahoo have similar software available, but according to the New York Times, neither appear to be as accurate as the app Google is offering.

Google has refused to comment on how accurate the application actually is, but does say that it’s accurate enough to be useful.

The video above gives a brief demonstration of the software.

Trapster v1.0.2 | Published by Tenereillo, Inc. | Via App Store | Free | Released: 10-08-08

Overview

Did you miss the days when folks would high-beam you with their headlights to warn you of parked police cars ahead? Those hiding po-pos will get you if you’re not careful these days. Now you have a modernized high-tech high beam solution in Trapster. Consistent use and reliance on the goodwill of others will steer you clear of speed traps.

Functionality

Using Trapster requires that you setup an account with them at www.trapster.com. After entering all of your information, including your cell phone number and service provider, you’ll be sent a text message with a code. After entering that into the Safari browser screen, you’ll be approved and can set your preferences (see above). 

Firing up Trapster will take you to your current location with a map - like a built-in Google map. Unfortunately, in smaller towns like mine, it appears that the whole 8 mile radius of the town is a giant speed trap… Continue Reading

Say Who - Dialer v0.1020 | Published by Excuse Me Services, Inc. | Via App Store | Free | Released: 10-20-08

Overview

Apple notoriously left off voice speed dial on the iPhone. There have been many apps scrambling to fill this much-needed void, and Say Who - Dialer is one of them. Best of all, it’s free. How does it do?

Functionality

With Say Who, simply say who… or say what, wait a few seconds, and the interactive screen will present you with the options for dialing. A button at the top left corner of the screen allows you to turn on/off automatic dialing. When turned on, the voice command will dial automatically for you in about 3-5 seconds.
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Google Earth v1.0.0 | Published by Google Mobile | Via App Store | Free | Released: 10-25-08

Google Maps is quite amazing, however lacks the quality overhead images of its worldly sidekick Google Earth.  I love launching Google Earth on my computer and traveling the world in a few short keystrokes.  I can say I’ve visited remote areas of Spain, Greece, Africa, even the North and South Poles. All this traveling without ever leaving the comfort of my chair.  Imagine my excitement when I heard that Google had released its Earth application in the iPhone App Store this week.  Now I can partake in all new adventures without even leaving the couch, or car, or even while on my lunch break at work.

Functionality

Google Earth for the iPhone delivers the same high quality images as its PC/Mac counterpart, however it lacks the ability to tack on overlays (such as Landmarks, Streets, etc.).  This doesn’t take much away from its appeal though.

Once launching the application you are presented with a full view of the globe.  From here you can use your fingers to spin, turn, and zoom into your destination.  On the top left is a button to show a search box for typing in an address, city, country, or landmark.  On the top right a compass that will always snap the current image so that north is pointing up.  The bottom left is the familiar ‘Current Location’ button that you find in Google Maps to automatically zoom into where you are currently standing.  On the bottom right is an ‘i’ which will take you to an Information and Options screen.

Searching is intuitive, and accurate (as you would expect from the search engine leader).  Living near Los Angeles I thought today we would take a trip to the Staples Center where the Laker’s play basketball. 
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Games for the iPhone and iPod Touch are great sources of entertainment, but now they are also being used by Disney as a way to advertise.

Disney has just released a game called RhinoBall, now available at the App Store, and is being used to promote their upcoming movie Bolt.

The game is pretty simple. Basically you use the accelerometer to roll around different levels attempting to find Bolt (a dog), while at the same time collecting as many lightning bolts as you can. The game is definitely entertaining, but the main objective behind its creation is to get you hooked into seeing the movie Bolt.
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JellyCar v1.0 | Published by Walaber | Via App Store | Free | Released: 10-19-08

Overview

Another racing game. With a stupid title. Just what we needed for the iPhone… At least that’s what I thought when I went to check out JellyCar. I didn’t have a lot of time before meeting my daughter for lunch at her school, but I thought I would have plenty to judge this game as wanting. Boy, was I wrong… and late to meet my daughter.

Gameplay

You’ll be immediately intrigued and curious-ified (I just made that up - it gets better) as soon as the game loads up. All the game icons and options on the startup screen begin to drift in the direction you’re tilting your iPhone. Soon, they wind up in big, squooshed (see, another one) pile at the bottom of the screen. 
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