IFTTT

IFTTT stands for “IF This Then That”.  This app enables users to create “recipes” which consist of a trigger (This) and an action (That).  If the trigger is set off, the action is taken.  A trigger can be anything from “when I am tagged in a Facebook photo” to “when I take a picture on my iPhone”.  The actions range from “send me an email” to “update a spreadsheet on Google Drive”.  One of the recipes that I use that I find the most convenient is that whenever I am tagged in a photo on Facebook, it is automatically downloaded into my Dropbox account.

Some may think that this app/service is only for the extremely tech savvy user, but that is far from the truth.  The simple user interface allows anyone to easily create new recipes or choose from the pool of shared recipes that other users have already made.   If you need some assistance in setting up this app, please do not hesitate to comment on this post and I’ll help you out. 

IFTTT's icon (left) & a screenshot of the Channels list (right)

I know this app may seem a little intense, but give it a shot and I’m sure it will be worth your while.

Get the app by clicking here!

ESPN ScoreCenter

Of all the sports apps out there, to me this one is the most important to have.  If you consider yourself a sports fan and don’t have this one, think again.  ESPN ScoreCenter is the app to have for all sports info.  You need to know what the score of the Knicks game is?  You want to see where the Yankees are in the standings? Well that’s a bad example because the Yankees are always in first.  But you get the point.  You can see scores, standings, stats, news, videos, and what ESPN likes to call a Gamecast.  Gamecast is pretty much the closest you can get to watching the game without actually seeing the players.  You can see live information on who is at bat, who just caught a touchdown pass, or who just fouled Carmelo Anthony. 

IF..AHEM! I mean WHEN you get the app, make sure you set up your favorite sports and teams.  This will bring all of the information for the teams you like to your front page, accurately called “myTeams”.  From here you view the latest headlines and scores.  The iPad version of this app is fantastic as well as it allows you to easily look back to previous games to see results.  Doing this is not as easy on the iPhone version.

ESPN ScorCenter's icon (left) and the NFL scoreboard (right)

As far as sports apps go, this one falls on the top of my list.  I also realize how lacking this blog is in the sports category.  This will be rectified right away.  As a matter of fact, next week will be Sports Week!

Get the app by clicking here!

Welcome Back!

I would like to start of by welcoming everyone back to the iOS App Center.  I did miss you all.  I have not posted since September for a myriad of reason, most importantly because I got a job.  But don't fret, I didn't forget about this blog and now we are back in business.  One of the benefits of having a job is that I now have the money to buy an iPad.  Well, I already bought it, but now I can pay the credit card bill!

Since I now own an iPad, I will be branching out a bit by posting both iPad and iPhone apps.  I will be putting a new tag onto each post that has either iPad or iPhone on it so you will know!

I look forward to introducing you all to some more apps that I know you'll love.  Glad to be back!

Bejeweled Blitz

Apparently I am wicked late getting into this game.  I downloaded this and was really pumped about it and showed my brother-in-law who informed me that it had been out since 2010 or even earlier.  So while I am still going to review this game/app, I understand that many of you may already have it and are way better at it than I am. If you are in that group, bear with me on this one.

Everyone knows the simple Bejeweled game that PopCap introduced a while back.  This is it. Simple as that.  Since its new to me, I’m going to tell you about the game as though you have no clue what I’m talking about.  You have to match up colored jewels in groups of three or more to get them to disappear.  Each group of jewels that you make gives you points that tally up as the game goes on.  To further complicate things, there are some pretty sweet power-ups that are available.  There are multiplier power-ups and specialty options where the games goes bonkers and you get a whole crap-ton of points at the end of your minute long round.  It may sound plain and boring to you right now, but have faith in me that I wouldn’t lead you astray.  What makes me play this game day in and day out is that you are competing against your Facebook friends for the highest score.  I’m not trying to look like an idiot who can’t figure out a puzzle game, right?! 

Bejeweled Blitz's icon (left) & the in-game screenshot (right)

As always, the fact that it’s free and you can try it out without any downside makes it worth your while.  Let me know what you think!

Get the app by clicking here!

To Whom It May Concern

So we have one person who +1's every post right after they get published.  Whoever it is, I wanted to say thank you for helping spread the good word about this blog.  I also want to encourage others to do the same!  So whoever you are, thanks again!  Get in touch with me via the Contact Me page so I can maybe get you involved in some way!

PS.  iOS 6 is right around the corner.  More info to come!

VidRhythm

Holy $#!& this app is hilarious. I gotta give props to my friend/editor for pointing this one out to me. Before I tell you about this, I need to warn you that this app is pretty useless and idiotic, but made me, my family, and a bunch of my friends laugh till our stomachs hurt. Brace yourself for some sheer stupidity.

VidRhythm is a simple, yet enjoyable app that takes just a few minutes to set up. Though it may seem odd as you’re doing it, going through the steps of making the weird sounds as you look into your camera is necessary for this app to work. Once you finish the set-up, gather your friends and family ‘round and watch you magical creation. If you haven’t noticed by now, I am being extremely vague in this description. That’s on purpose. I want you to have the same experience I did of not having any clue what the &#%$ I was getting into. That’s half the fun. 

VidRhythm's icon (left) and the vaguest screenshot I could find (right)

Check this out and post comments below so I know your thoughts!

Get the app by clicking here!

Gems With Friends

Zynga has done it again! Well sorta. I’m not really sure yet. They are still riding the wave of two player turn based games with their newest additions to the “With Friends” lineup. Gems with Friends is unlike the others of its kind. Almost all of the other “With Friends” games are based on a popular board game. As far as I know, Gems is not. 

I am having a hard time explaining how you play the game. Here is my one sentence explanation. You get five numbers on different colored gems at a time, you place them on the board, match at least three of the same number together and they become one number higher and oh by the way it’s timed. I know that was terrible and you know less about the game now than before you read that. I’ll ask the App Store for some assistance…

“Gems With Friends is an all-new, fast-paced social puzzle game that is easy to learn and difficult to master. A mix of clever planning and lightning reflexes will have you combining colorful gems together in head-to-head competition with your friends. It's a different game every time!” – App Store

 

Gems With Friends' icon (left) and game board (right)

To be honest that’s a pretty awful description too. All I can tell you is that it’s pretty fun to start playing and the games grows on you the more you play it. Hey, its free. What do ya got to lose!

Get the app by clicking here!