Daily iOS App Digest – 01/27/11

This innovative game app is designed to provide users with an entertaining virtual board game experience that they can enjoy either with live opponents or online via Apple’s Game Center. Created in the vein of board game classics such as Chutes and Ladders, Fluke HD pits players against one another as they race to get all of their game pieces across a given board before one another. The perfect way to either spend time with friends or simply enjoy dynamic board game fun, Fluke HD is currently available on the iTunes App Store for $1.99.

Fluke HD is a virtual board game that requires opponents to employ both strategic play and a healthy dose of luck. Players are each given four colored tokens which they must successfully navigate across any one of the game’s many uniquely themed boards before their opponents in order to win. A victory can only be achieved if a player is able to get all four of their game pieces across the finish line. Though seemingly straight forward, a variety of different interactive obstacles and surprises await players on each of the game’s three board options and no two boards are alike. Users can either play against live opponents or online via Apple’s Game Center.

$1.99/Download

Thomas Hoving, director of the Metropolitan Museum of Art from 1967 – 1977, wrote Master Pieces with Lori Stein and Kate Learson in 2005 to bring a favorite game of his to the public. The book is a great way to learn and appreciate what makes these works true masterpieces by looking at their details, reading a clue, and then guessing the artist. The back half of the book contains a full rendition of each masterpiece and essays by Tom with his take on the work or an interesting vignette.

Ballast Lane Applications, LLC thought Master Pieces’s content was a perfect match for the iPad’s interactivity and ability to present gorgeous, high resolution photographs and thus created the app based on the book. The app includes the book’s text, two-hundred details, and fifty-four masterpieces presented in a new way that really allows you to improve and test your art appreciation skills.

$9.99/Download

SuperFriends! takes social discussion to the next level. Add a little spice to your day, start a conversation amongst old friends, or just make fun of your buddies. The Super Friends! application has over 400 questions to ask users about specific friends. The application allows users to automatically import friends from Facebook and/or Address Book contacts. Unlike standard Facebook questioning applications, Super Friends! provides more sharing capabilities and advanced features thanks to iOS 4.0 capabilities. Super Friends!, allows users to share their answers openly, by posting to friends walls through Facebook or tweeting on Twitter, or privately through SMS text or email.

$0.99/Download

This game offers children the ability to explore and play within four interactive areas, with each individual area including unique games requiring kids to do everything from recognizing animal sounds correctly to counting numbers. These games are designed with progressively more challenging levels to ensure that as children gain an ever greater mastery of the skills needed to beat them they will still constantly be challenged and pushed further. To ensure that youngsters will not become frustrated or disenchanted during gameplay, the app’s mini-games are also designed to provide players with consistent positive feedback, rewarding them for their successes rather than punishing them for their short comings.

$1.99/Download

Probably as far back as 1839 Sir Rowland Hill did not think that its reform of the postal system would have inspired the creators of this game for iPhone/iPod. The Famous Penny Black was the first of countless stamps used around the world to send letters carrying news of all kinds. Soon, collectors around the world began to take care of them and rare specimens acquired an enormous economic value.

Stamp Art Fever revolutionizes your virtual world, great graphics and a perfect game of chance allows this application to become a must have. Download it immediately and begin to categorize your stamps. You have several ways to get the stamps you are looking for: the Philately and the Black Market. The game is enlivened by events, such as fire and theft, which could slow down your career.

Free/Download

This storybook application provides young users with a fully engrossing fantasy experience, engaging them with dynamic animated visual imagery, and audio features. Furthermore, this application engages kids by having them complete a variety of tasks in order for the story to successfully move forward. This creates an interactive dynamic within the app that gives it the feels of a narrative driven game rather than being a simple storybook. To encourage children to practice their reading skills, as children become more adept at following through the app’s storyline, they can switch off audio narration and read the story themselves.

To help make Oz Wizard more accessible to beginning readers, the application is capable of automatically highlighting relevant text as the story progresses to help orient them. The app itself is structured to be used by younger users without the need for direct adult assistance. It’s user interface is simple and intuitive, while interactive portions of the story itself are clearly marked for ease of use. A perfect synthesis of the timeless heart warming saga of the Wizard of Oz together with modern mobile technology to make it a fully interactive and user engaged experience, Oz Wizard: The Interactive Storybook for Children gives children an opportunity to develop various skills while at once thoroughly entertaining themselves.

$1.99/Download

Savant Inc., developer and publisher of iPhone games and entertainment applications, today is proud to announce the worldwide release of "The Free Balls!", the free version of their debut title for iPhone and iPod touch.

Hardcore sports Coach Timmins wants you to juggle as many sports balls as possible to prove your worth. Bounce different balls (soccer, basketball, bowling, and more!) a number of times until they burst! Be careful not to let them drop, or Coach Timmins will give you a verbal whipping!

The balls are physics enabled and can bounce against each other for a bigger challenge. Tap the balls to bounce them up, or flick them in a direction for more precise control. Bounce them as late as possible for a higher score and crits! And watch out, sometimes the coach will lob a grenade at you to make sure you are paying attention!

Free/Download

NerdsGeeksGurus, LLC has released their Orchid Notebook app for iOS 4.0 or later for iPhone/iPod touch/iPad. With this app, orchid hobbyists and growers are able to track their orchid collections and wish lists. The app also offers a reference section aimed at new orchid enthusiasts. The reference guide includes descriptions, care, and propagation of orchids. The Orchid Notebook was created as a way for app developers and orchid enthusiasts John and Patricia Conrader along with their teenage sons to keep track of their growing orchid collection and expanding wish list from a handheld device.

Orchid Notebook is being released with the realization that it is a work in progress and will be developed more fully through periodic upgrades based on the needs of the developers and customer requests. The app is currently available for $1.99. Upgrades will be available at no additional cost; however, with each upgrade the purchase price will increase.

$1.99/Download

AppGeneration Software today is pleased to introduce NPolls 1.0 for iOS, their new polling app that enables users to simultaneously express their opinions, and earn cash. Polls are short, only 5 to 15 questions, and cover interesting topics such as: products and brands; habits and lifestyles; politics; sports; and social trends. After giving gender, age, and nationality, anonymous participation in 50 polls wins the user a prize of $10 (USD) paid to their PayPal account. With over 50,000 users and growing, NPolls is a simple, fast, and inexpensive method to conduct international, targeted polls among upscale owners of iOS devices. In addition to a monetary prize, NPolls reveals the final results of each poll to each individual polled, allowing them to compare their views with current trends.

Free/Download

The independent mobile application developer behind Notes Plus has announced plans to implement WritePad SDK, a handwriting recognition engine developed by PhatWare Corp., into upcoming versions of Notes Plus. This feature will enable Notes Plus users to take their Note Taking experience to the next level as the app will be able to generate content, mathematical solutions, and web pages, among many other things directly from what they write. Though PhatWare Corp. integrated versions of Notes Plus have yet to become available to consumers and existing Notes Plus users both developers are actively working to bring this additional functionality to market in the near future.

Due to become available during the second quarter of 2011, PhatWare Corp. WritePad SDK integration with Notes Plus is poised to propel the application to finally become a fully complete, well rounded note taking resource. Handwriting recognition capabilities of WritePad SDK are perfectly tailored for use within applications such as Notes Plus as it allows users to utilize their own handwritten content as an interactive springboard for interactive research and problem solving in real-time. This technology will be as fully engrained within Notes Plus as possible in part because of PhatWare Corp’s level of involvement. Partnering with Notes Plus, PhatWare Corp. will receive a $2.00 royalty for every application utilizing its technology which is sold. This has the distinct implication of ensuring that PhatWare Corp’s recognition engine will not simply be utilized by Notes Plus but indeed showcased as both developers will be highly invested in its successful implementation. Furthermore, this long-awaited addition will propel Notes Plus to become competitive at the highest levels of its market, comparable in usability and features to applications such as Microsoft’s OneNote and Apple’s own Newton.

$5.99/Download

Beatles Diary is a behind-the-scenes look at the Fab Four’s history and meteoric rise to fame, offering never before seen letters, photos and videos. The unique content in Beatles Diary originates from Alf Bicknell, trusted confidante to The Beatles during the sixties. Thanks to Google Maps integration, users can take a virtual tour of the places that played a part in life of The Beatles in Liverpool.

Fab Four fans and curiosity seekers alike will be thrilled with the unique information and videos available in this new product, which has recently been released in the AppStore. Beatles Diary offers an intimate, behind-the-scenes look at the life and times of John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr, from their favorite teenage hangouts to their skyrocketing career in the sixties.

$4.99/Download

Created by development house Bonbol, Movie Club has offered iOS users a library of 60 (+counting) full length movies streamed directly to iPad, iPhone or iPod touch. Movie Club differs from alternative video streaming platforms in that all current & future content is available free of charge once the iOS App is installed.

Available on the iTunes App Store, Movie Club allows users to browse and stream the available movie library at any time using an intuitive and device specific interface optimized for iPad, iPhone & iPod touch. Optional push notifications alert users to the availability of new movies & the developers plan to incorporate Airplay capabilities and a host of new movie bundles in Q1 2011.

The 60 full-length movies currently available includes over 100 hours of Action, Comedy, Drama, Horror, Kids & Animation features, ranging from cinema classics to releases as recent as 2010; so there really is something for all the family.

Free/Download

Following the success of its Kindle edition, the editorial team at Reader’s Digest hoped to continue the trend with an iPad edition. After seeing the rich, immersive apps that Wired and other popular magazines were creating using Adobe DPS, Reader’s Digest decided to use the same tools to build its own tablet issue.

"There are a lot of vendors out there offering iPad solutions, but once I saw Wired’s app, I immediately thought it demonstrated a natural progression for magazines," Reader’s Digest Managing Editor Ann Powell said.

Free/Download

WineSpace Inc has announced the release of ReverseCamera 2.0 for iPhone and iPod touch devices. With this reverse playback application, the users can enjoy reverse-playback movies and voices right after the moment you shot videos. Then, dull and normal videos can become a totally fresh and new creation: full of surprises and discovery. The function to play back movies in reverse way is definitely distinguished and unique. Version 1.6 now includes new way to playback sounds and bug fix in the converting feature.

How to reverse playback your videos:
* To reverse the video right after you shot:
First, shoot a video using ‘start’ and ‘stop’ button. Then, use the triangle button facing leftward to reverse playback.

* To reverse the videos from your Camera Roll (converting function):
Tap, ‘Movies,’ ‘Convert Video,’ and then ‘Convert,’ to choose a video from your Camera Roll. After choosing, converting starts automatically. When converting is done, press ‘Play’ to playback reverse way.

$0.99/Download

Great News! Tropical Software has announced that TopXNotes 1.7 with improved NoteSync is now available. Version 1.7 is our most stable, easiest to use version of TopXNotes ever, with performance enhancements, bug fixes, and an improved NoteSync process that is a snap to set up, and will keep your notes synchronized between TopXNotes for Mac and TopXNotes Touch for iPhone and iPod touch.

TopXNotes 1.7 is the latest update to Tropical Software’s award-winning personal note manager for Macintosh. Version 1.7 includes improved note synchronization (NoteSync) with Apple touch devices including iPhone, iPod touch and iPad. This capability will sync between one Mac running TopNotes 1.7 and TopXNotes touch. Now you can take your notes with you no matter which Apple touch device you are using!

$0.99/Download

The app can send the note as a Facebook post to a friend’s wall, as an email message, or as a text message. Additionally, messages can also be copied to the clipboard for use in any other iPhone App. The app uses a combination of pre-generated "form" messages and randomly generated poems to build romantic and sometimes humorous messages. The app plays cute kissing, hugging, and whistling sounds whenever the button is pressed. The app can leverage a list of favorite contacts to customize the message with a first name. The user can also specify a signature that will be appended to the end of each "Love Note".

"This app is just plain fun! My wife loves getting all the romantic notes I send her. So join the fun and ‘Make Love’ today!" says Rhine-o Enterprises Founder, Jay Rhine.

$0.99/download

Doodle Booth was released on 14th January and hit the top10 rank in more then 30 countries already! It is an interesting and very high quality app with which you can add doodle stickers, captions and frames to your photos and they’ll look like if you’ve drawn them over yourself with a real pen!

The unique doodle style decoration is done by all of us every now and then – doodling pictures of celebrities in newspapers, magazines and books. Doodle Booth gives you a large set of hand-drawn looking stickers. Eyes, beards, hair, glasses and earrings are just a few of the old-school style stickers you can find in the app.

By downloading the app you get a collection of 60 high resolution stickers, compatible with iPhone4’s Retina Display. Besides the body parts, you can also find masks, tattoos, speech-bubbles and frames. Doodle Booth can be used for photos you make with the camera on your device, but you can also access your Facebook galleries, where you can decorate and share, twitter or email your piece of doodle art.

Free/Download

2 For Life Media Inc. has announced the release of 101 VALENTINE’S GIFTS 1.0 app on the App Store. This app by 2 for Couples is the key to unlocking your sweetie’s heart this Valentine’s, with more than 100 unique – and sexy – gifts to choose from.

"The 2 team has thought beyond the (candy) box this Valentine’s. We selected these ideas from hundreds of products we reviewed to bring the very best bets to warm your lover’s heart this Valentine’s Day" says 101 VALENTINE’S GIFTS editor Kellie Davenport. "From affordable to aspirational, naughty to nice, we’ve got something to suit your sweetheart."

101 VALENTINE’S GIFTS app is only 99 cents, and also includes cozy gift ideas perfect for snuggling up together, and some colorful options that’ll have you both looking on the bright side this February 14th. The app features a range of national retailers – Victoria’s Secret, Tiffany, Lush – and a number of independent brands, such as Fred Flare, Junk Food Clothing and Roberta Chiarella. Just tap the gift link to open an in-app browser to get more info or purchase the item. And If you like any of the gifts for yourself, you can send your faves by email or Facebook to share with your partner as a nudge nudge nudge this Valentine’s.

$0.99/Download

Irregular Tangent Studios has announced the launch of Smartphone Wellness Initiative exclusively on the iPhone/ iPod touch. Under the initiative four self-learning apps – Yogic Sleep, Aumkara, Flame Meditation and Gayatri Chants – are currently available on the Apple store, which teach rare Yoga techniques for stress management, relaxation and mental peace. More apps will be released soon.

"Smartphone Wellness Initiative is a platform through which we will take rare techniques developed by Yoga Masters and healthcare professionals to people in form of easy to understand and creative voice guided tutorial apps", said Anup Gosavi, founder of Irregular Tangent Studios. "We hope that Smartphone Wellness Initiative becomes a symbol of trust and these techniques, known for centuries in India, help people all around the world manage stress better"

Along with the voice guidance, each app features a custom background score specifically written to create an environment that soothes the mind. "The background score is based on scientific research and is instrumental in making the technique more effective" said Dr. Shridhar Grampadhye, an alternative health-care professional who has consulted on the apps. He recommends that the techniques be learnt daily for 21 consecutive days for long lasting effects.

$0.99/Download

Paul Solt has announced the release of Artwork Evolution 1.2.70, an upgrade for his content creation tool designed for iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad devices. The App allows users to quickly create content on a mobile device without an artistic background. Rooted in evolution and natural selection, Artwork Evolution provides a window into mathematics with the ability to view, create and evolve abstract images. It allows users to discover abstract designs, patterns, and inspiration.

"It is an artwork experiment that empowers anyone the ability to create complex art," said Paul Solt, who created Artwork Evolution as his graduate project at Rochester Institute of Technology. "I have created a content creation tool that will allow people to create art on the bus, plane, or while waiting for a meeting to start."

The application was updated to support native resolution wallpaper generation on all iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad devices. The viewing experience is similar to photo applications, with one key difference. Any image can be evolved and mutated to create one hundred new, unique images. The evolution process can be repeated again and again to create the perfect image or to see what it looks like when vertical stripes mate with non-linear gradients.

$2.99/Download

OrdWiz, an innovative new mobile application developer, has announced that the latest update of Earth Flags HD has been warmly received by it’s users. Developed specifically for the iPad, Earth Flags HD version 1.7 allows users to browse through various countries via in-app Google Earth and Google Maps integration to discover their flags and learn other general information about them easily. Earth Flags HD is currently available for download on the Apple App Store for $1.99.

This application has the simple goal of placing the world at its user’s fingertips, letting them discover countless different national and regional flags while supplying them with informative statistics and information about the countries they choose to focus on. As users browse the app’s three dimensional world map they can simply pinpoint specific countries to learn about them in greater detail. Earth Flags HD provides users with information such as any given location’s flag, capitol cities, population, and total area. Furthermore the application supplies users with any country’s currency, international calling code, and internet suffix information as well.

$1.99/Download

Learning the difficult task of writing has become much easier thanks to the new mobile app, Essay Czar, by Niles Technology Group. Essay Czar is an eBook with step-by-step instructions on how to write over 40 types of essays, including the all important SAT Essay. With one convenient app, students can now access detailed essay writing help anytime, anywhere and virtually insure that their writing assignments are the best they can be.

"The first thing that students should know is that writing is tough and that it is OK to stumble at it in the beginning," states Michael Niles, President and CEO of the Niles Technology Group, creator of Essay Czar. "The second thing students should know is that it was not their imagination that it was once difficult to find information on how to write specific types of essays. The reason was simple – before now, there was no comprehensive writing resource like Essay Czar. Niles Technology Group set out to create a true game changer for students, and the emails, from students and teachers alike, indicate that we have done just that."

$29.99/Download

Daft Logic Studio, iOS development studio, has announced the release of their SimplePlayer app on the App Store. SimplePlayer Pro is the online music player that lets you search, discover and share music with several taps. SimplePlayer Pro contains all those great features inside free SimplePlayer and introduces playlists support, that lets you listen the same favorite music from your iPhone and Mac or PC.

Free SimplePlayer has a great success on the App Store. Everyday it’s being downloaded by thousands of users, everyday they share listen and share huge number of songs. Recent updates have fixed many small initial bugs and now application works perfect on all iOS 3.x-4.x devices and fully supports firmware features.

Free/Download

Destroy countless enemies in this addictive and visually stunning dual stick space-age shooter, ‘Infinity Field.’

Use the intuitive and familiar dual stick controls to guide your craft through the field of enemies with one analogue stick while at the same time clearing a path with your blaster. Things start off simple but soon you will have to deal with countless enemies intent on colliding with your craft and turning you into an explosion of pixels!

You’ll love blasting through space with Infinity Field’s intuitive controls, epic boss battles and challenge yourself to reach newer heights!

$1.99/Download

Tap and swipe those nasty Cooties away, and stop them from reaching your vital organs in this colorful and fun family blast! Kids and grown-ups alike will fall in love with this funny and clever germ defense game that’s both a blast to play, and also full of cool bodily facts! Who said learning couldn’t be fun?

Get your fingers at the ready for some frenzied fun! Tap the weak Cooties to make them disappear, and swipe at the tougher Cooties to keep them away from your little organ friend or get rid of their shields!

You’ll be laughing ‘til your stomach hurts as the hilarious story unfolds via a series of cute and colorful HD comic strips. The gorgeous artwork is sure to keep you and your kids captivated for hours!

$1.99/Download

Emross War is set to appeal to the millions of gamers out there who are looking for a fun in-depth game which can be played anywhere, and will stay interesting for years to come. iFree Studio is a studio run by gamers, for gamers and that might be the best reason of all to go experience the land of Emross.

Free/Download