iPad App of the Day - TieSight

TieSight
Claus Zimmermann, 3.6 mb, $1.99
(for the iPad 2)

A very handy sight for those dressing to impress, especially for that job, date, wedding, other formal occasions.

Simply use the front camera of your iPad 2 with this app, you can match the unmade tie. With simple instruction, follow each step as you match the progress to the pattern on screen. To ease process even further, use your voice to turn to the next step. There are four tie types to learn - the Windsor, the Four Hand, the Pratt, the Half Windsor.

Overall, a simple program that makes good, practical use of the iPad. $1.99 is a fair price for those looking to save time from the Googling and asking.

iPad App of the Day - Fluidity HD

Fluidity HD
Nebulus Design, 3.9 mb, Free (2.99 full version unlock)

A pleasant, yet trippy way to stare at something. This is the lava lamp that flows by your touch, controlling the flow of the ever changing HD vibrant colorful fluid. It's nice, calming, yet addictive. This is free, but with the $2.99 full unlock you can also add special audio or allow an outside projection through a special cable to your iPad. Perfect for that next freak out.

iPad App of the Day - Red Laser

RedLaser Barcode Scanner and QR Code Reader 
Occipital, 3.7 mb, Free

Actually, this app is built for the iPhone and iPod. However, RedLaser can be downloaded, perfectly used on the iPad 2 (using its camera).

I recently tried out RedLaser for my massive collection of books in storage. But, I was lacking decent WiFi and that is when I discovered the best features of this cool (and free!) app. RedLaser can scan and save the UPC barcode numbers while offline. Scanning is quick, simple and very responsive to the iPad 2. You can put the scanner on its "multiple" option, allowing faster scanning. Save the list and go online later to uncover the info from a variety of resources, including the going prices - great for online selling research. The list then can be exported to your email for easy sharing.

The RedLaser works on pretty much everything modern that has a barcode - toys, food, DVDs, whatever. Information can come from local places for price comparisons, or from the popular online markets. Its reliable, easy to use and fantastic for the iPad's long running battery, a necessity for all-day scanning  projects.

iPad App of the Day - My Writing Spot (for the iPad)

My Writing Spot (for the iPad)
PT Software Solutions, 1.1 mb, $4.99

National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) is almost upon again for the coming November. For those without an office and a heavy work schedule, consider something a bit more portable, easier to handle and useful in that writing endeavor. Consider My Writing Spot.

My Writing Spot is a personal favorite of mine. For several reasons, this app is great for NaNoWriMo and the iPad. The keyboard is customized for fiction, with that needed much needed tab key, some extra punctuation marks up top for quicker access and two keys for word skipping. Users can add chapters,each with word count and change the font style, size. The interface is simple, easy to use with an background that is light on the eyes and you can switch to a "night" mode. Also, the app is enabled for Bluetooth keyboards. And for added security, you may password protect your work.

Overall, My Writing Spot is a nice and worthwhile program for novel and short fiction writers, and perfect for NaNoWriMo.

Creating, coding games and simulations on the iPad with Codify

Codify
Two Lives Left, 10.5 mb, $7.99



Codify is now on the iPad, an amazing easy to use interface allowing users to make,code games and simulations (using Lua programming code). For those still learning, there are also handy examples and sprites available for use and study. Very interesting, as I feel suddenly inspired.

iPad App of the Day - Crazy Face

Crazy Face
Ezone.com, 4.3 mb, Free (Crazy Face Lite) $2.99 "Full" version.

Use Crazy Face to make small children laugh this Halloween weekend, especially in the dark. This app brings a full monster face to the screen as it recognizes your voice, or at least the noises you make. Then, mouth and brows quickly animate depending on the sound or tap of the iPad, so give it a good scare. Even better, put a hood on and find a way to strap the entire iPad in, for a fun kid-friendly surprise scare. Also, great for Trick or Treaters, if the user is creative enough...hmm!

Crazy Face is for the iPad and iPhone, but more practically on the iPad screen. There is the Crazy Face Lite edition, which gives you one free face with the option to pay for more face (many available.) And there is the "full" version that has four of its main monster faces for $2.99 with the option to buy more. I would advise the Lite version first, see if you or any kids present love the animated fun, then go for more faces ($0.99 each). Sure, the entertainment may not last as long as a game, but having this handy does lighten the mood, especially in the dark.

iPad App of the Day - Dexigner

Dexigner
Dexigner, 0.8 mb, Free

Dexigner is THE essential app for anyone interested in art, design, fashion, architecture, and related fields.

This wonderful, yet simple app gives you the latest news, local events, competitions and directory of related businesses and organizations wherever you need. Most of the content is short text and some colorful pics, all pulled in from their resources at dexigner.com. The info is always update, as users may share via Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, email. All free, with very little storage on your iPad.

iPad App of the Day - The Forbes Lists

Forbes Lists
Forbes, 36.1 mb, FREE

A must for anyone interested in the Occupy Wall Street movement and holding an iPad. Learn all about your corporate masters, and others within this app featuring our 400 richest, most powerful billionaires. All are lare listed and detailed through two lists, America and the entire world. Each person profile is listed with his or her net worth, history, residence, latest news, personal stats, political contributions, wealth history, and much more. All free and waiting for you to check out.

iPad App of the Day - Teavana Perfect Tea Touch

Teavana Perfect Tea Touch
Teavana, 11.0 mb, FREE
(iPhone version available)

Something I don't talk about often, even among friends, is my love of tea. Often, I order strange and interesting tastes. I feel healthier, heartier and can think better with my personal favorite; the peppermint tea. I also enjoy the Teavana retail stores throughout the malls of America, and appreciate all the free samples they give.

Now we have this Teavana iOS app, which gives incredible detail on their fine selection of tea. The helpful interactive interface is fantastic and easy on the iPad. The quick details go beyond their exotic tastes as users can read up on the benefits, history, breakdown of ingredients and more. Such knowledge makes the tasting more special. And of course, you may order direct from Teavana.

The Teavana app is free. How cool is that?

Gameloft is having a $0.99 iPad games Columbus Day Sale

Gameloft is having its Columbus Day $0.99 sale on select games for the iPad for a limited time. All worth at least a try for that price. So get in the spirit and discover something new...

Modern Combat 2: Black Pegasus HD  - 559 mb,  6.99 $0.99
9mm - 720 mb $6.99 $0.99
Eternal Legacy HD - 579 mb 4.99 $0.99
The Settlers HD  - 246 mb $4.99 $0.99
Sacred Odyssey: Rise of Ayden HD - Full Version
375 mb, (says free..but the payment and sale is an in app purchase, ugh)

iPad App of the Day - Frotz

Frotz
Craig Smith, 57.1 mb, FREE
(Also available for the iPhone)

Frotz is a fun gem from the oldest school of gaming. No fancy graphics, gimmicks or big explosions (at least visually). These are interactive stories involving just the text, where users read, and respond with text directing the continuation of the story. Part of the fun is goofing it all up, making the wrong decisions and the thrill of figuring out the right thing to type. Then, to attempt to guide the story to its conclusion.

That, was the very beginning of computer RPGs, with much elements carrying into our modern games. Choose from the pile already available or download new stories from the Interactive Fiction Database (IFDB.com). Check out the original 1979 classic, "Zork," download the "Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" or my personal favorite "Being Andrew Plotkin."

Adobe Touch Apps coming to your iPad!

Just announced, Adobe Systems Systems Inc. is bringing out the Adobe Touch Apps this November. Launching this brand, are six new apps available to the iPad (and Android tablets). All of which are aimed at people looking to create and display their designs, ideas, art (see below) at the reasonable introductory price of $9.95 each. Adobe Ideas is already available via the App Store so there will hopefully be an update to the new version. I assume Photoshop Touch will replace the already excellent Photoshop Express app. All of which will have integration its new sharing service, the Adobe Creative Cloud. I look very forward to these new products, as Adobe finally steps up its game to us tablet users on a lesser budget..

Here described:

• Adobe Photoshop Touch lets users transform images with core Photoshop features in an app custom-built for tablets. With simple finger gestures, users can combine multiple photos into layered images, make popular edits and apply professional effects. The tablet-exclusive Scribble Selection Tool allows users to easily extract objects in an image by simply scribbling on what to keep and then what to remove. With Refine Edge technology from Adobe Photoshop, even hard-to-select areas with soft edges, such as hair, are easily captured when making selections. Additionally, the app helps users quickly find images, share creations, and view comments through integration with Facebook and Google Search. Using the syncing capabilities that are a component of Adobe Creative Cloud, files can be opened in Adobe Photoshop. 
• Adobe Collage  helps creatives capture and refine ideas and concepts by allowing them to combine inspirational images, drawings, text and Creative Suite files into modern, conceptual mood boards. Features include importing of images, four customizable pen types for drawing, adding text, and applying color themes. A virtually unconstrained canvas grows as needed to accommodate more assets. Files can be shared or transferred for access in Adobe Photoshop.

• Adobe Debut allows users to present designs to clients and stakeholders virtually anywhere. Adobe Debut quickly opens tablet-compatible versions of Creative Suite files for convenient and beautiful viewing on the tablet, including Photoshop layers andIllustrator® art boards. Feedback is gathered using a markup pen tool to add notes and drawings on top of the work.

• Adobe Ideas  is an easy-to-master, vector-based tool for drawing. By using a stylus or finger, strokes appear smooth at any zoom level. Starting with a blank canvas, users can choose color themes, and pull in tablet-compatible image files that can be controlled as separate layers. Finished results are easily accessed in Adobe Illustrator or Photoshop.

• Adobe Kuler  makes it easy to generate color themes that can inspire any design project. Color can be explored and discovered, with hundreds of thousands of Kuler themes already available via the creative community. Social engagement in the community is enhanced by rating and commenting on themes, which can be exported as color swatches for Adobe Creative Suite projects.
• Adobe Proto enables the development of interactive wireframes and prototypes for websites and mobile apps on a tablet. Ideas are communicated and shared with teams and clients using a touch-based interface. Gestures quickly express a design concept, explain website structure or demonstrate interactivity. The wireframe or prototype then can be exported as industry standard HTML, CSS and JavaScript, and shared in popular browsers for immediate review and approval.

iPad App of the Day - Crackle - Movies & TV

Crackle - Movies & TV
Crackle Inc., 7.7 mb, FREE
(iPhone, iPod Touch versions available)

Hundreds of movies, thousands of TV episodes, all free! Crackle is probably Sony's answer to the video streaming content war. Through this simple app, users may steam full movies and television shows onto the iPad. Unlike Hulu and Netflix, there are no subscription costs. However, the ads and commercial breaks do happen, which is fair for the nice selection.

Most of its content are from the years gone by with some occasional surprises. Personal favorites of mine include Berry Gordy's The Last Dragon (Sho'nuff!), the complete Married with Children, the entire Jackie Chan Adventures cartoon. Recent additions that made me smile include Ghostbusters II, Black Gunn (classic blaxploitation), The Defendor (dark superhero movie starring Woody Harrelson).

There are some need for improvements upon its frustrating search feature and some occasional crashing. But otherwise, worth having on your iPad for some quick, fun video entertainment.

$0.99 App Sale on World of Goo HD!

World of Goo HD
2D Boy, 80.6 mb, $4.99 $0.99



Fantastic sale on this critically acclaimed indie hit.  Get this right now!

Disney AppMates, driving over an iPad near you?

Innovation and outside box thinking with the iPad? Disney, you are doing it right with these highly interactive toys on the iPad. Check out this video below.

 
I am not sure if such use will catch on, being that the iPad screen is already a fantastic toy for small children (under supervision). But this simple idea stands well, as the AppMates is just the latest example of how the iPad's functions continue to go beyond the screen. Let's see what else is out there..

iPad App of the Day - Gorilla Workout

Gorilla Workout
Heckr LLC, 32.5 mb, $1.99

Gorilla Workout is an an app with a fun gimmick, and a fantastic guide for those needing push and better direction in their fitness routine. Gorilla Workout has a plan for anyone, as users can choose their level, based on fitness experience and able body. Next, goals are set for each day, and with success, mastery of each workout in the suggested time (Level 1 is 20 days), the user may proceed to the next level (featuring a bigger gorilla) . Many workouts are listed for each level, as all the necessary info and video (!) are available to the user.

For iPad and iPhone users, the Gorilla Workout is the perfect plan at a very affordable price. It's also very easy to use, as the IOS devices are more practical than laptops for carry to the local gym or park. Over 40 exercises are available so far. Also, users may proudly announce their progress via Twitter or Facebook. Hopefully, more updates to the Gorilla Workout will be added, including eating and natural supplement suggestions. For now, this iPad Captain has much modified push-ups to do.

iPad App of the Day - Flixster

Movies by Flixster, with Rotten Tomatoes (for the iPad)
Flixster, 10.7 mb, FREE
(iPhone and Android version also available)

Flixster is the best, most useful app for current movie theater attendees. See all needed information on the latest flicks. Even better, find the nearest movie theater and showtimes using the iPad's location service. Flixster also shows the Rotten Tomatoes calculated score and top reviews, though I try to ignore that (never trust Internet mob rule when factored into ratings unless extremely low or high). Love the connected preview trailers, which is most helpful with the indie movies. As for the nearest movie info; times, upcoming showtimes, map info and more is available to the quick touch. In all, that puts an end to the frustration of making phone calls and shuffling through newspapers.

Flixster is free, but supported by ads. Sometimes the ads pop up after the app opens, a small price but worthwhile price to pay for this excellent service.

iPad App of the Day - WordWit

WordWit
Ballpoint Inc, 15.1 mb, $1.99

Having trouble with the English Language? Not knowing currents from currants? Try the WordWit app, it's cheap as a salad and may help with vocabulary. Here within, users access a database of confusing words complied by experts and professors on our modern English language. Then, a game is possible that hopefully result in making it's user more competent as a writer of the modern English.

With a spin of the disk one or few times, words are chosen. Then chose a word and its "evil twin." and "Master It." Then, timed tests involving blank-filling happen, as progress is recorded and points are gained. Users may then redeem these points for actual merchandise, according to the WordWit app. Not sure which merchandise yet, as I am just starting..but this is a very unusual concept for a game. Also interesting is the option to post your progress on Facebook or Twitter. Heh, don't think my friends would share the excitement.

Still, this is a much fun way to learn. Especially, for those losing touch in a world of texting and autocorrect. Give it a try, especially if you blog much and need to self edit better ;)

New iPad App - The Disney Store

Disney Store
Disney, 5.0 mb, FREE

Just released yesterday, your answer to the latest and best Disney merchandising obsessions. Plenty of toys, clothes, collectibles to gawk and swipe, direct from the house of the Mouse. The available products displays the full detail, a color picture of two, and the options to buy and ship. The app also helps to amuse small children as they can navigate endlessly at pics of Disney Princesses stuff or whatever (good Marvel Comics stuff too!). 

Seriously, this is how store catalogs on the iPad should be; not just copies of matching store web sites. The entire app is quick and easy. Go through simple categories, nice colorful pics, scrollable details and all that you need to check out after the same touch. The "Find-a-Store" feature is a nice touch for those looking to do more physical browsing. My personal favorite is the "Sale" section..lots of products there for more than 50% off retail. 

Overall, the Disney Store app serves it's purpose and for me brings back the excitement of toy catalogs. Worth a look, especially for the child in all of us.

1-Day Sale: Superbrothers: Sword & Sworcery EP

Superbrothers: Sword & Sworcery EP
Capybara Games Inc, 135 MB, $4.99 $1.99

Now on sale, this critically acclaimed game is on the cheap. I have yet to play, but looking forward to finally checking this out. I will post my thoughts after some excessive playthrough