Saturday, March 31, 2012

Poll 001

     I have added a poll to the main page.  It is at the bottom of the side panel.  I believe polls will help me to review more apps that people who visit this blog might enjoy reading about.  Please vote for which paid app you would like to see a review of, from the given options.
     Also, feel free to comment on this post if you have ideas on future apps I should review.  I am happy to read through any suggestions.
     I still have many apps I intend to do reviews for, including free and paid versions.
     Let me know how I'm doing!  I am always willing to read through your critique! (Just so long as it 'is' critique)
                                             Love,     
            Kitty  

Friday, March 30, 2012

Cutiary

Cutiary App for iPhone
     This was one of the first apps I ever paid for.  I was looking for a sort of journal that had stickers and other features that I could add to posts to make them more interesting.  I certainly found it.  This application does that and more.  It actually has quite a few features.  it's very useful and worth the money I spent on it.
     When you load it up you'll see any events on the top left (If you've written in Birthdays, Anniversaries, etc.  They show up when the date is coming near). On the right top you'll see any memos you've made.  The ones I have on mine are left over from my trip to Disneyland.  Dining reservations and my flight confirmation number.
     Below the date you'll see the fun features you can use.
     Cash Book is a way to manage your finances.  Every time you receive or spend money, you can enter it into your cash book.  If you feel like this is a positive, you can add a happy emote.  If you feel like this was a bad day, financially, you can add a sad emote.  It will keep track of your finances for every month and let you know where most of your money is going.  You can even add photos of the things your purchased and make a notation "It was on sale" or "Bought this for a Birthday gift".  You'll see what stores you shop at most, and how much you are spending at said store.
     The Anniversary tab takes you to where you can add any events (Not necessarily anniversaries).  This is where the app will look when it needs to update the top left panel.
     Memo (In the middle) is likewise to this.  It is where you add memos that will be added to the top right.  You can also manage and delete old memos from this tab.
     Diary will take you to your Diary page (Clearly...).  You can update it every day, or as often or infrequently as you like.  However, you only have one page per day.  So if you want to make additional notes for a single day, you'll have to fit them all on the single page.  Your diary calendar will have a flower stamp for each day you've added a diary entry for.  When you click the stamp you will be able to view your entry for that day.
     You can add weather stickers, emotion stickers, decorations and photos to your diary entries.  You can even add a global map location if you're someplace far from home.  There are many wallpapers, font colours, stickers and emotes to choose from.
     Below are some examples of diary entries.  They are from my own journal.

I didn't add the weather or emotes to these entries apparently.  Sorry about that.
      The last tab on the front page is the Discount Calculator.  This has come in hand several times for me.  Not everyone can do maths in their head when it comes to figuring out how much something is on sale.  Of course 50 percent off is always easy... But what about 10? 15? 75 percent?  Sometimes it's a bit tricky.  This makes it easier to see just how much something will be once you take that percentage off.  It gives you the original price, The amount it is after the discount and how much you've saved.  Just keep in mind that when you go to the counter, they'll add sale tax onto the amount.  But this will be the cost before tax.
     With all of these features (And with this application looking so darned adorable) I am happy to have paid for it.  I recommend it to any busy shopaholic who likes cute things.  Or even to just keep track of your schedule and money (No shopping addiction required).

SIDE NOTE: It is currently 'on sale' in the Apple app store.

 Rating: 5/5
  • $2.99
  • Category: Lifestyle
  • Size: 9.7 MB
  • Languages: English, Japanese, Korean
  • Seller: NSOFT Inc.

Whirly Word (Free)

Whirly Word (Free) App for iPhone
     This is a fun free boggle game.  I love word and vocabulary games, so I thought I would give this a try.
     It's fun though sometimes it doesn't have words in it;s list that can be made.  Also, sometimes you'll make a word in one puzzle that it accepts and when you try to make the same word in another puzzle, it wont accept it.  A bit frustrating...
     All in all it's very fun, but the free version has a relatively small list of puzzles.  So you'll find yourself on the same puzzle a few times within one game.  After playing a few times you'll have memorized all the puzzles and be stuck on a never ending game where you can't lose (As I am).  At this point it might be wise to just give in and buy the full version.
     If you've never played Boggle, here.s a basic run down of how this version works.  It has one six letter word.  It will add each letter that is in that word to your letter wheel.  You need to try to come up with as many words as you can, using only those letters.  Words as small as 3 letters, or as large as six letters.  Once you figure out the 6 letter word, you can pass to the next puzzle, whether or not you've found all of the other words.  If you are unable to figure out the 6 letter word, you can find as many small words as you can.  Once you find enough smaller words your score will be high enough to skip to the next puzzle without finding the big word.  Of course, ideally, you should find all of the possible word combinations before moving forward.
     If you want a spoiler here, this is a list of some of the six letter words, in case you get stuck.  Though you should try to figure it out for yourself.  Logger, Pretty, Cayman, Flukes, Laurel, Jingle, Falcon, Stormy, Belted, Breezy, Laughs, Whacky, Galaxy, Autumn, Domain, Hockey, Blotch,  Cowboy & Hinted.

Rating: 4/5
  • Free
  • Category: Games
  • Size: 6.5 MB
  • Language: English
  • Seller: Red Key Software Corporation

Chara-Deco / Tulip's Character Decoration

Chara-Deco App for iPhone
     Yes, it's another photo decorating app.  You know I love these.  And as a free photo decorating application, it absolutely had to be downloaded and tried out.
     Despite being free, it does have additional stamps and frames that can be purchased.  Each set is sold separately and priced at 99 cents.  Personally this is not something I'm a fan of.  I prefer a one price unlock of additional features.  Why purchase each one individually?
     The free stamps and frames are rather limited on this app.  And other than stamps and frames, you can't really do much else with this.  granted the artwork is cute and unique.  I'm just not really sure it's enough.  Do you see the stamps in the screenshot?  Those are all of the free stamps that come with this application.  Limited, right?  Along with 4 frames, there isn't a lot of variety here.  You're almost forced to pay for additional themes just to have something to spice up the palette.
     You select your frame, add a couple stamps and set them where you want on the photo.  You are able to resize and turn them.  Then you save and the edited photo will be added to your iphone album.
     My nose looks really red in that photo... Why?  Oh well, it has nothing to do with the app.

Rating: 3/5
  • Free
  • Category: Photo & Video
  • Size: 11.9 MB
  • Languages: English, Japanese
  • Seller: POLYGON MAGIC, INC.

Naughty Bear Lite

Naughty Bear Lite App for iPhone
     Admittedly I only downloaded this app to begin with because it's teddy bear themed (Likes teddy bear themed things).  However, I was really pleasantly surprised at how much I really enjoyed it!
     Think "Teddy bear themed dark humour version of PacMan".  Poor naughty bear wasn't invited to the wonderful Birthday party all the other bears are having.  Whatever shall he do?  Steal all their cupcakes and stab/beat the other bears to a cotton ball pulp!  A little dark, but in a fun way.
     You run around the map gathering cupcakes as PacMan would gather the tiny pellets.  You must avoid the other bears until you pick up a weapon (Power pellet).  Then for a limited amount of time, you are able to attack the other bears.  But watch out!  When your time is up, the bears can get you, and you'll lose a life.  Just like PacMan.
     There are a number of quests in the Lite version of this app.  I've played them all (Some multiple times).  I am actually very tempted to get the paid version just to see what other quests and features they might have.
     I love the announcer who speaks while you are playing through the level. "Total Defluffication!"  It's fun to try to attack several teddy bears in a row and get a combo.  The announcer says different things for the more bears you attack.  The scenes of you attacking the bears also gets more interesting, the higher your combo.  The first couple attacks wont even cut to a scene.  But when you have a high combo you can watch Naughty Bear really go crazy fisticuffs on the poor bears.  Beating them with a bat or stabbing them with a butcher knife.  You can also cause the other bears to explode if you use your roar.  But you have a limit on how many times you can do this.  And it's best to save until you are surrounded, as it affects all bears within a certain range.
Rating: 5/5
  • Free
  • Category: Games
  • Size: 48.9 MB
  • Language: English
  • Seller: 505 Games (US), Inc.

Sunday, March 25, 2012

Princess Camera

Princess Camera App for iPhone
     Let me start by saying that this is my absolute favourite photo editing/decorating app on iPhone.  Period.
     So, what makes this any better than any other photo decorating application in the app store?  First, it's thorough.  You don't just add stickers and frames.  You can change the brightness and contrast, change the background, add stickers/bubbles/glitter, add a frame, and write over your photo.  It's also a quality app.  It has a huge selection of add ons.  It does a great job of making your photo brighter.  You can make your own custom stamps, or even trade with other people.  You can also make cards to send to your friends.
     One of my favourite features is that the camera option adds a timer.  So you can set the phone down, move away, and pose.  It's so much easier than stretching your arm out in front of you.  Why doesn't the iPhone camera have this feature built in?!  This alone would have been reason for me to pay for this app.
     Upon starting the app you'll see 3 options.  Take Photo is obviously to take a new photo to edit.  The Edit option is for editing pre-existing photos and such.  And square loads up the additional option content.
     If you choose Edit you'll be taken to the screen you see to the left.  You can select a photo from your album to edit.  This is also where you can create stamps that you can use on your photos.  This is an option I have never seen in any other photo decorating app.
     In the Square you can trade stamps with other users.  You can also send cards or photos to people via email or Twitter from here.  You can browse your custom stamps and even change the theme of the app.  Not a fan of pink?  You can change the app's background to something else!  You can also adjust the quality of the photo output, which is very useful.
     When you take a new photo, or edit an existing photo, before you start adding glitter and cat whiskers you'll be prompted about adjusting the brightness of the photo.  I recommend doing this.  It can really help the photo to look crisper, which makes it more ideal for editing.
      Cards can be used to say "Happy Birthday" or "Wish You Were Here" to your friends.  Maybe you want to promote your new Twitter account or website?  You can make a card for that too.  Want to show off photos of your new puppy?  Make a card!
     Custom stamps and photo stamps can be added to your palette so you have more variety when you want to edit a photo.  After you make a few, go to the Square to trade them with your friends.  Maybe someone else has some really cute custom made stamps that you'll want to add to your photos as well.  This is a really unique feature, and I love it.
     I know this application might seem a bit pricey, but if you're into photo editing and decorating, it's money well spent.  If you only want one app for decorating your photos, this is the app to download.  Hands down...

Rating: 5/5
  • $2.99
  • Category: Photo & Video
  • Size: 15.8 MB
  • Languages: English, Chinese, Japanese
  • Seller: EIGHTIVE DESIGN, Inc.

Chocolate Love

Chocolate Love App for iPhone
     This is a cute little puzzle game.  I love free games from the app store.  I almost never pay for a "game".  I just get tired of playing them too quickly.  I feel like it's not worth paying for.
     The game is a bit repetitive, but then most puzzle games tend to be.  You choose a difficulty for the game (Easy, Medium or Hard), then the puzzle loads.  You'll see many different kinds of fancy chocolates.  Whenever two or more of the same chocolate are touching one another, you can tap one to 'remove' those chocolates from the puzzle.  The object is to remove as many chocolates as possible.  Once there are no more matches available, the level ends and if you have gathered enough points, you move on to the next level.  The next level is the same thing.  More chocolates, tap to remove, lather, rinse, repeat.
     Each level has a number of "stars" among the chocolates.  Less stars for the higher difficulty levels.  When you tap a star, the chocolates near it reload as different chocolates.  This allows the possibility for more matches.  I suggest only doing this if there are no matches available near the stars.  I usually save the stars for the end of the level.  If two or more stars are touching, they'll disappear like the chocolates, without changing the chocolates near them.  I find this to be a waste, since they only count for 'a match'.  So try to avoid letting the stars touch.
     The more chocolates you remove in a single touch, the more points you'll receive.  Also, the higher the percentage of chocolates you eliminate from the puzzle at the end, the higher your score.  If you aren't able to gather enough points by the end of a level, the game ends.
     It has a built in "high score" board so you can keep track of your scores.  There is a separate score board for each difficulty level.
     One option available on this app that I appreciate is the ability to mute the music or sound effects.  Though I have nothing against either, sometimes you get tired of hearing the same tune over and over after a while.  A fun addition I'd like to see would be the option to change the music.  Perhaps they could make different songs that you can switch between (Like Tetris).

Rating: 4/5
  • Free
  • Category: Games
  • Size: 5.9 MB
  • Languages: English, Spanish
  • Seller: Cyber Beatrice

Clothes Roulette Lite

Clothes Roulette Lite App for iPhone
     I always want to call thing "Clothing roulette" rather than "Clothes roulette"... It just bothers me a bit... But that's besides the point...
     This is a really interesting and fun concept.  You take photos of all of your clothing, label it as either a top, bottom or shoes, and spin the wheel!  Clothing roulette will randomly choose one top, one bottom and a pair of shoes for you to wear that day.  Never again do you have to say "I don't know what to wear!" because now you can just have your iPhone tell you!  Though, I can't guarantee you the match ups will be particularly 'nice looking'.  It is random, after all.
     The lite version of this application only gives you 20 photos for your clothing.  Unless you have an incredibly small wardrobe, this is not going to be enough for all of your clothing.  If you purchase the full version of this application, you'll be allowed to take more photos.
     Though this is really fun, it does lack as much depth as it could.  You cave to put dresses under "tops" and then I suppose just not wear the bottoms it gets matched with?  What about socks/leggings/pantyhose?  What about hats and jackets?  Accessories?  I've tried taking multiple photos of the same piece of clothing.  One without accessories, one with.  If you get the full app, you could do this with all the pieces.  Changing up the accessories and taking more photos.
      I really enjoy the app.  I want to buy the full version but I am torn because I'm not entirely sure I'll really use this often.  If I pay for something, I want to get some use out of it.  This is something for you to think about as well.  However, I do enjoy the app, and the concept thereof.  Could you imagine waking up every day and having your clothing randomly selected for you?  It might make your life a little more interesting.  And think of all the time you'd save in the mornings!
     If they decide to revamp this app, I'd love to see some more categories.  Specifically hats/hair styles, bags and coats.
Rating: 4/5
  • Free
  • Category: Lifestyle
  • Size: 2.5 MB
  • Language: English
  • Seller: Ishin Chen

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

My Girls Camera Free - Happy Factory

My Girls Camera Free - Happy Factory App for iPhone
     This is the last (Currently) of the free My Girls Camera applications.
     If you're reading a review for this application I hope you've already downloaded, or are familiar with the other My Girls Camera applications.  As this is the fourth My Girls Camera.  But just in case, I'll cover the basics again.
     You can load a photo from your album, or take a new photo.  Once you have your photo, you can select one of the characters (Or several of the characters) to add to your photo.  There are 5 female characters to choose from.  Each character has only one outfit (The uniform).  However they have various poses/expressions.  You have the option to purchase additional costumes (In a pack) for 99 cents, if you so wish to.  I have not done this, so I can not make any comments on the additional costumes.
     Like all of the My Girls Camera apps, the characters are from a Japanese pornographic game.  However, despite the reference, there is no adult content in this app.  It 'only' takes the characters, not the sexual content. This application is safe for people under age.  As is it work safe.
     If you have interest in learning more about the characters or the game they are referenced from, I have provided the opening to the original PC game below, which I have located on Youtube.  The game is called "はっぴぃふぁくとり", which translates to "Happy Factory".
The newer versions of these applications (Including this one) have a section full of wallpapers.  Four of the five girls are featured in the free wallpapers.  You have the option of purchasing more wallpapers.  When you purchase the additional wallpapers, you get the extra character costumes with it, and visa versa.  These wallpapers can be used right on your iPhone.  So it's a fun feature to have.
     This application is just like My Girls Camera 3 (With the exception of the optional pay features).  It just takes characters from a different game.  Again, this is a simple but effective application.  it does hat it is supposed to.  It has crisp high quality artwork.  It's a very nice free application.
     Below you can see a couple of screen captures showing the app in action.
Rating: 4/5
  • Free
  • Category: Photo & Video
  • Size: 18.0 MB
  • Languages: English, Japanese, Korean
  • Seller: A1C Co., Ltd

My Girls Camera 3 - Shooting My Star

My Girls Camera 3  Shooting My Star App for iPhone 
     This is part of the My Girls Camera series.  Like the last one I reviewed, it is also free.  You may have noticed I skipped My Girls Camera 2.  That one is a pay app, and I am currently only reviewing the free My girls Camera apps.
     You can take a photo or load one from your photo album on your iPhone.  Once loaded you can select one (or several) of the girls in the outfit and expression you prefer.  Each girl has two or three outfits to choose from.  The girl can be moved, slanted, resized and adjusted to fit into the photo the way you like best.  Because they are high resolution, you can even add them to very large, high quality photos.
     This app also has a wallpapers section.  you can use the wallpapers on your iPhone as a log in screen or the background behind your app icons.  The only character not featured in the wallpapers seems to be the blonde female with glasses (Nene).
     Of course we now know that all of the My Girls Camera app versions are based on Japanese porn games by the company "Grand Cru".  However, despite this, rest assured that there is no pornographic or mature content in the applications.  Only the actual games (PC games) have any sexual content.
     If you are interested in the game these girls are from, or want to research them more, the name of the game these girls are from is "しゅ~てぃんぐ妹スター☆", also known as "Shooting Mai Star".  You can watch the opening intro for the PC game below.
     In closing, the app does what it is meant to do.  You can add girls from the game to photos (Or to other images).  It's simple, but efficient.  It's fun to play with.  However, I don't find myself using it often.  It's great for a free app.  I'm not sure I'd ever want to pay for it (Unless the paid versions had more features).  I do like the addition of the wallpapers.  And because of it, this version of the app has a slightly higher rating than the last.
     Below you can see some more screen captures.  They show selecting a character, and what a photo looks like while editing.

Rating: 4/5
  • Free
  • Category: Photo & Video
  • Size: 18.1 MB
  • Languages: English, Japanese, Korean
  • Seller: A1C Co., Ltd