YKR's Pocket

YKR's Pocket App for iPhone
     This is a small art gallery of Yukari Tanaka.  She makes really beautiful pieces.  With this application you can view some of these pieces and even set them as your cell phone's wallpaper, should you choose to.
     Yukari Tanaka was born in 1981 and graduated from Tama Art Graphic Design.  She now does artwork for video games.
     This application has 20 different art pieces.  Should you like a piece you can click the middle center button to save it to your device's album.  Once there you can use it as a wallpaper or lock screen by choosing that image from your device's settings menu.
     There is also a "profile" button that gives you a small amount of information about the artist.  However, it is entirely in Japanese.  I will translate it for you, below.


----------------
Tanaka Yukari
Born in 1981
Tama Art University
Graduated from Department of Graphic Design
Makes Book Covers, Illustrations, Character Design, etc.
----------------

     I really enjoyed the drawings available through this application.  Though I shan't be making them my wallpaper (Because I do so love the one I have already) I really enjoy browsing through them.  They are very detailed and beautifully done.  You can tell that a lot of thought and love goes into each creation.  I especially enjoy the Alice in Wonderland themed artwork.
     I would recommend any art lover download this and take a look.  It's free and you could find a piece that you love enough to make your wallpaper, or inspires you to draw something yourself!  it's an all around pleasant application.
Rating: 5/5

• Free
• Category: Photo & Video
• Size: 13.6 MB
• Languages: English, Japanese
• Seller: Hiroaki Tanaka
• © 2011 EternalSoftware

Otokono Kamicolle: Kamigata Collection

Otokono Kamicolle: Kamigata Collection App for iPhone
     Finally a hair style changing application for men!  I was wondering about this a few reviews back, you may recall.  Well, I found one, fellows!  Finally you can join in the hair changing fun.
     This works the same as the female version.  You can select from a variety of hair styles.  There are actually more in this version than the female version!  And what's more, there's even 'funny' ones.  Just remember to always check for updates with the update button on the front of the app (Third from the top, as seen on the screen capture to the right).
     Start by clicking the top button.  This allows you to scroll through the pages of hair styles until you find one you like.  the Humourous styles are present, but have no preview.  Rather they have a "Who's that Pokemon" preview (Silhouette).  There are 3 pages of styles total.
     Once you select the style you want to try, you can select a file from your device or take a new photo.  Again, straight forward, well lit photos with no hair in the face work best.  Try to get a similar lighting to the model's to do your best to skin match your face with their neck (Which will be present).
     It should be able to find your face.  If it can't and ends up layering the style incorrectly over your photo, don't fret.  Tap the edit button to adjust the photo's position.  You can tilt it, make it larger, smaller and move it up, down, left or right to fit in the hole perfectly.
     You can use the switch button to toggle through the different styles from the edit screen, rather than going back and choosing a new one randomly.  This allows you to try them all quickly.  You may even find a style that suits you that you weren't planning to try out originally!
     In case you are wondering who the fellow making the face is, that would be my husband.  I didn't think male hair styles would suit me.
     Click the save button to save your new look to your gallery.  You can browse through the gallery at any time.  Fill it up with photos of all your friends in brand new styles!  You can even share the photos with your friends via twitter, Facebook and email (And naturally you can save the finished look to your device as well).
     You can recommend the look to friends and even get tips on how to acquire this hairstyle from the app.  However, it is all in Japanese.  So this likely wont be useful to people outside of Japan.  Especially since it only suggests Japanese styling products.
     I highly recommend this.  It has a smooth interface and is simple to navigate.  It has a large variety of styles.  Male versions of this sort of app are rare, so this is a great find.  And best of all?  Free...  My only concern is the fact that it's in Japanese.  I'd like to see a translated version provided.
Rating:  4.5/5

• Free
• Category: Entertainment
• Size: 16.9 MB
• Languages: English, Japanese
• Seller: Mandom Corp.
• © 2011 mandom corp.

Kamicolle: Kamigata Collection

Kamicolle: Kamigata Collection App for iPhone
     This is another one of those "What would I look like with a different hair style?" apps.  It has a decent selection to choose from and regularly has updates to give you even more styles.
     Currently there are 3 pages of styles.  The styles range from straight to wavy.  Down to updos, and short to long.
     Select the style you wish to try out.  You can then either take a new photo or use a pre-existing photo.  You'll want to pull back your hair and look straight ahead for best results.  It helps if you can get lighting that matches the lighting on the photos already, as they stick your face in the face hole, but the original girl's neck remains.  If your skin tone is anything other than these girls (Whom all seem quite pale) it may look a bit odd.  However, you may be willing to over look that.
     If you are taking a new photo it provides a nice little face outline to help you line your face up.  This does not 'always' work.  But it's alright because you'll be able to adjust the face position later.
     I took a straight forward photo and used it for all of my different styles.  However, you can do this with the "new photo" option as well.  Once it has layered the photo over your face, you can adjust the face position by clicking the middle button.  Use the arrows and plus and minus icons to position your face properly in the hole.The third button over from the left will toggle the hair style.  You can then change styles without retaking new photos.  When you have the style and position fixed click the button on the far left.
     Clicking the button on the far right will take you to a new screen that will display your photo in a small frame.  It says "Click here to recommend this hair style!".  It also gives you a hair care tip on what product you can use to help achieve this look with your real hair.  however, all of the products are Japanese and for Asian hair types.
     The button on the left from here will take you back.  You can try out a new style from here, select a new photo and what not.  The button on the right, however is how you save your new look.  From there you can view your album (All looks you have saved) or go back.  The middle button is for sharing.  It allows you to share via Twitter, Facebook or email.  As well as to save it to your device.
     This is a fun application and works surprisingly well.  I also like the little magic sound and sparkle animation that occurs just before trying on a new style.  Almost as if a fairy godmother is transforming you into a new look.
     By the way, I realize these are terrible photos of me!... I look tired and my eyebrows are unmanaged.  They usually hide under my fringe so I don't usually have to worry about them.  I look awful with no fringe right?!  Fringe it is... I love my fringe.
     I would recommend this application to anyone that enjoys makeovers, makeover apps, photo editing apps and transforming their friends.  or even someone just looking to try a new hairstyle and doesn't know where to start.  The down side is it;s entirely in Japanese.  The up side, I just told you how to use it and what buttons do what.  I'd love to see the app creators do a translation, however.
Rating: 4.5/5

• Free
• Category: Entertainment
• Size: 16.4 MB
• Languages: English, Japanese
• Seller: Mandom Corp.
• © 2011-2012 mandom corp.

The Act

The Act App for iPhone
     I downloaded this today, and after playing it I 'had' to do a review.  It's so amazing!  A bit pricey but when you think about all the work that went into it (Even just from an animation standpoint) it's worth it.
     With today's digital animation and how it speeds the process along and makes things easier for animators, it's rare to see hand drawn artwork used for animation.  But the fact of the matter is, digital just doesn't have the same feel.  I miss the hand drawn style and was really excited to see a hand drawn animated video game!
     As far as games go this is a really fun new idea.  I hear a similar style game is showed in California every year, and works with dials.  Of course there are no dials on an iPhone, so they improvise with a swipe method.  Though a bit imperfect... Still it works.
     The idea is to control the main character.  No, you aren't moving him about (Well, in one part you are), you're controlling his mood, his boldness, what he pays attention to.  How his interacts with the other characters in this play is entirely up to which direction and how far you swipe your finger.
     His goals?  He needs to save his brother from a terrible fate.  He needs to keep his boss happy.  He wants to win over the girl of his dreams.  Can you help him?  If you control him in a manner that is counter productive it's game over.  But don't fret too much.  You can always have another chance!  you get three chances to get it right.  Then you'll get a try again screen.  Simply tap the screen and you'll have another 3 chances.  You'll want to try to use as few of these as possible since it counts each 'do-over' and tells you how many you used at the end.  Though sometimes it's fun to swipe across dramatically and watch the main character make a complete fool of himself.
     It may take some time to gauge how far you should swipe and how quickly.  It's usually best to go slowly and gauge the reaction of the other characters.  I find that the scenes where you have to win over the girl can be especially frustrating.  Maybe I'm just no good with women.  The second scene with your boss is also a bit of a pain.  It took me about or 7 tries just for that one.
     There is no speaking in this game, so you really don't need to know English (Or any particular language) to play.  Though when you 'mess up' it occasionally gives you a hint across the screen.  This is in English.
     Here are some screen shots of some of the lovely animation in the game.

     I really loved this game, and would recommend it to anyone who likes classic animation, comedy cartoons, interactive game play, choose your own adventure stories or anything of the like.  The only real down side is that over all it isn't a very long game.  Depending on how well you swipe the game could take anywhere between 10 minutes and an hour to beat.  With it costing 3 dollars, some people may feel that they aren't getting enough out of it.  Though I'd say it has a little replay value.  It's fun to watch 'all' of the reactions in all of the scenes.  After all, someone worked really hard to draw all those frames!

     I would like to see more episodes of this.  Either with the same characters or new ones.  I think that people who purchased the initial game should get a discount on any sequels.  This might help heal the dismay of the 3 dollar purchase for a short game.  And it keeps your customers coming back.  Or perhaps that could add an extra feature in the game.  Like a gallery that shows all the various animations that can be unlocked at the end of the game.  Or story boards and draft sketches.  Users like content.  Adding more content, even something simple, will help encourage people to pay the 3 dollar bill.  As for me, I knew I had to play this.  And I'm glad I did.  Money well spent, in my book.

Rating: 5/5

• $2.99
• Category: Games
• Size: 512 MB
• Language: English
• Seller: Chillingo Ltd
• © React Entertainment

Cat Sliding (ねこズサー)

Cat Sliding (ねこズサー) App for iPhone
     If anyone watches Mugu Mugu on Youtube then you know that cats can't resist running and sliding into random open boxes.  Well, now it's a sport (sort of)!
     This competitive kitty is training hard to be the best cat slider ever!  Help him/her run as fast as possible by flicking your finger across the screen. Then, just before approaching the box hit the button to make him/her slide!
  It's really straight forward and to the point.  Though it's entirely in Japanese, it should be simple enough for anyone to understand.
     Compete with your friends or yourself to get the highest score (Most distance slid).  There is even a score at the bottom that shows the best score yet!  Try to make that your score!  And good luck!
     I played this a bit myself, then let my husband and son play to see how they liked it.  It's so cute you'll want to share it with everyone you know.  After all, who doesn't love cats?  My husband got a really great score on his first try (Beginners luck!), my son played several times over and over.  i had to actually take the phone from him to get him to stop playing.  He tried finding it for his phone, but sadly this application is not available to the Android market.  Only to the iPhone market.

     I think this is a great way to entertain yourself during those short waits.  Bus stops, doctor offices, etc... This could really help kill some time.  It's free, cute and a little addictive.  I say give it a try!

     Suggestion for improvement?  Translation.  I know that it's easy enough to figure out without reading.  but translation seems a common courtesy. The app info says language: English and Japanese.  but the only English on this application is the "Start" button.

Rating: 4/5

• Free
• Category: Games
• Size: 3.9 MB
• Languages: English, Japanese
• Seller: Takehiro Fujitsuka
• © 2012 totty

Defense Girl

Defense Girl App for iPhone
     Oh no!  The world is in trouble!  Crazy... alien... things are flying through the air, minding their own business!  It's up to you to shoot them dead!... Why does this sound like the alien's aren't the bad guys?... Oh well, let's fly and shoot!
     You play the main character.  A generic magical school girl transformed into a super hero of fantasy... a la short shirt and magical wand.  You fly, side scroller style through the air.  you can not move forward or back.  Using your right hand to shoot by tapping the screen, and your left hand to move upward or downward by tapping the position.  There are 3 sections.  Top, bottom and middle.  The aliens will fly toward you from the right at various speeds, getting faster as you progress the levels.  Some take one shoot to defeat, some tap more.  Do not allow them to bump you or pass you!  if you do, it's game over.
     At the end of each level you will receive a score.  There are 10 stages to clear.  I have not managed to complete all the stages yet.  Things get really fast when you get to the higher levels, and I just don't have the skills to kill them all.
     When you get a game over screen you get a cute CG.  You can access any CGs you've gotten through the CG gallery menu.  Collect them all!  There are 8 available.  I've gotten to stage 7 or 8 and only obtained 4 images.  I suppose the last ones are obtained in the last stage.

     There is a store where you can purchase other modes and features for the game.  You can also buy the original character concept art.

     I think it's a cute application.  Simple and straight forward without any distracting bells and whistles.  Though I would like it to be more reminiscent of old school side scrollers in the sense of having items you can pick up and use.  But then I suppose that may somehow make the story more confusing... But then they don't actually provide a story... So it's confusing to begin with.

     I like the application.  it's fun and cute.  It can help you pass the time should you find yourself bored or waiting.  It's worth the download and totally free.  I'm not sure about the pay options in the store.  i have not felt inclined to purchase them, myself.

     If I were to make one suggestion, a story or story mode would be wonderful.  Why is she fighting these creatures?  Where are they from?  Why are they here?  Why are they a threat?  They don't even attack... they just fly forward.  Also, what is she defending?  the entire planet or just that carnival stand we see in the game over screen?  It would be nice to know.

Rating: 4/5

• Free
• Category: Games
• Size: 27.5 MB
• Languages: English, Japanese
• Seller: Hiroaki Tanaka
• © 2012 Eternal Software

Cartoon Mask

Cartoon Mask App for iPhone
     One of the most fun apps I've seen on the free market.  This app, if used correctly, can bring a smile to the face of someone having a really bad day.  It's just so much fun to play with.
     Making a weird face?  Forgot your makeup that day?... Don't get rid of that photo!  just use it with this app!  It can make any regular, uninteresting or 'bad face' photo into a comedy masterpiece.
     The application is really straight forward and easy to use.  You load a photo from your album and drag the face you want onto the photo screen.  When a mask is selected, there are editing functions displayed at the top to help you flip it, resize it and tilt it (Or delete it, if you decide it just doesn't work for you).
     Scroll left and right to view all the mask options.
     When you are finished, and the photo looks as great as you can make it look, it's time to save.  Just click the save button and wait for the notification window to pop up, telling you that your image has been saved to your album.  Then just load a new photo, and start all over again!
     I really hope that the makers of this app add more masks in the future.  i adore the ones currently available, but you can never have too much variety.  More side facing masks would be great.
     This work best with full length photos.  Especially ones with multiple people.  You want them to be close enough to enjoy the masks, but not so close that they are mostly just a mask.  The image to the left, for example, works great with this app.  It gives an entirely new perspective to a once less interesting photo.
     Below are some samples of photo I edited with the application.  My family photos are now so much more interesting...

      Somehow no matter how much I play with this, I still can't get enough.  I find myself digging up old photos to fiddle with.  I really enjoy this.  I think you will too.  And best of all?  This is a free application!  Why aren't you downloading this?  Do it now!
Rating: 5/5

• Free
• Category: Photo & Video
• Size: 8.9 MB
• Languages: English, Chinese
• Seller: ting wang
• © Supertintin & 马里奥小黄

Feeling Picture Lite

FeelingPictureLite App for iPhone
     This is a very simple photo sticker application.  It doesn't have a lot of extra features or a lot of content.  And there are ads on the top of the Lite version.  These ads can be a tad irritating as it overlaps the top of your photo.  If you feel this is enough reason to pay for the full version, you may choose to do so.  As I believe it is ad free.
     The free version has a very small selection of stickers, but the full version has over 250 separate stickers to choose from.
     On the start up screen we can choose to load a new photo (Either from the camera of your album) or you can begin decorating with the funny fellow background that appears before you load a photo.  You can see this background to the right.
     If you add stickers over the background, then add a photo, the stickers will layer over your photo.
     Should you decide you don't like any particular stamp do a quick double tap to remove it.
     All stamps can be tilted, resized and moved about the photo.  And the photo itself can be resized.  However, it will always anchor to the top left.  This ensures the ad will always be over your photo.
     I do like the stickers available.  The idea is to show 'emotions' or 'feelings'.  So there are sweat drops, tears, blush marks, shocked eyes, agape mouths and so on.  To view these, click "tools" then the icon on the far left that looks like a person's portrait.  There are 21 feeling stickers.
     Clicking the bubble icon next to the portrait will take you to the speech bubble selection.  There are only 3 to choose from here.
     The tiny star icon leads you to the random stickers.  Animals, food, drinks, gift boxes, bows, hearts and so on.  There are 57 stickers to choose from.
     The last tool available is the pen.  this does not allow you to 'draw' on the photo.  It takes you to a text window where you can type a message in.  You can change the font and the colour.
     Next to the tools button is the save button.  When you've finished creating your silly photo, click this to save it to your album.  There is also a share button which allows you to post your image to Facebook, Twitter, or send it to someone via email.
     It's a very simple app. but the stickers and emotions it has are cute and fun to use, albeit limited in selection.  I really dislike the ad banner overlapping the photo.  And yes, the saved final version of your photo will have a tacky ad stuck to the top of it.  As you can see in the final image to the right.  Seeing as there are plenty of free photo sticker apps that do not do this, I really wish the app makers for this application would follow suit and get rid of the ad banner on your photo.  This is my biggest complaint.
     In closing, cute app, makes really funny photos, limited selection, ugly banner stuck to your photos...  It's a balance between the pros and cons.  Yes, I could get the paid version.  this would remove the ad and give me a bigger selection.  At only 99 cents, I'd say it's a reasonable price.  But I just wasn't impressed enough with the lite version to pay for the full version.  I have a ton of photo stickers apps.  This one is nice.  It's not the best.
Rating: 3/5

• Free
• Category: Photo & Video
• Size: 10.7 MB
• Language: English
• Seller: Sun mi Kim
• © NSLog

Moe Navi

Moe Navi App for iPhone
     This application was released may 30th.  I've had it for a little over a week.  I have to say that this is the cutest and most clever application I have ever had.  And it's free!
     This is basically a GPS application.  You choose where your destination is on the app.  It knows where you are.  It then navigates you to your location.  This of course is simple and there are thousands of apps that do this.  So what makes this one different?  You have a cute little cartoon girl navigating you.
     She knows which direction you are facing because of the compass.  She will point you in the correct direction and tell you where to go (Her voice is in Japanese only, but even if you do not know Japanese, you can follow her because she points you in the right direction).  When you are going the right way she will walk forward and sing a little song.
     You have 2 different characters to choose from in the application (Naviko and Ikoka).  If you wish to select one of the other two characters, you can purchase them through the app.  Each additional girl is only 99 cents.  Each girl has their own look, voice and attitude. Each has their own phrases as well.
     There are many modes you can use.  If you are walking while using this, you may choose to use camera mode.  This allows you to see where you are going, but still has the character on the screen, telling you which way to go.
     You can also use one of the back drops.  The roof, pathway and night time mode.
     If you want to keep track of how close you are you can split scren it to also show your location on the map.  However if will always show your distance in kilometers on the top of the screen.  Along with the compass.
     You can view some screen shots below of these modes.  However, I have blacked out the addresses for obvious reasons.

     The map mode is toggled through the orange screen switch button at the bottom.  The destination is chosen via the blue button.  The character is changed by clicking the character switch icon on the bottom right.  The settings can also be changed.
     On the settings menus you will see the following options.  Girls Collection.  This is where you can purchase the other two characters. Costume is the next option.  You have the uniform by default.  you can purchase the Christmas set for 99 cents.  I suspect new costumes will be added in the future.  Remember that this is a new application.
     Background settings is where you choose whether to use camera, path, night view or roof as your background.  You can toggle the Reverse Geocode and the Map Heading.  You can decide which map type to use as well.  Choose between Map, Satellite or Hybrid.  You can choose to switch the Distance measurements between kilometers or miles.  Depending on your preference.  You can even turn the screen lock on and off.
     The compass settings are also changed through this menu.  For the magnetic needle choose North or True North.  Switch between Compass or GPS.  You can even remove the compass completely from the screen.
     Getting tired of her talking all of the time?  You can toggle the voice on and off through the settings menu as well.
     The border of the image can be changed between pink orange and blue.
     The last settings option is just a cast menu.  it shows who does the voices for the characters.  Along with their websites.
     I really love this application.  It's cute and quirky and useful.  I suggest you download it and take it for a test walk!  I'm sure you'll love it as much as I do.
Rating: 5/5

• Free
• Category: Navigation
• Released: May 30, 2012
• Version: 1.5
• Size: 45.4 MB
• Languages: English, Chinese, Japanese
• Seller: Aizu Laboratory, Inc.
• © Copyright (c) 2010 Aizu Laboratory, Inc.