Memorial Day App Sale

****Check out 2012 Memorial Day App Sale****

Looks like the app store is going to full of low price games this Memorial Weekend.
I will keep updated noteworthy apps as I learn about more.

Splanstop Remote Desktop try this handy app today.  Right now $.99 iTunes

Assassin's Creed - Altairs's Chronicles some stealth action.  Right now $.99 iTunes

Pro Soccer Evolution come on sports fans.  Right now $.99 iTunes

Urban Racer 3D get your off road on.  Right now $.99 iTunes

Scene It? Movies 2 the fun movie game show.  Right now $ Free iTunes

 Where's Waldo can you find him?  Right now $.99 iTunes

Scrabble here you cant loose the pieces.  Right now $4.99 iTunes

 Dead Space for iPad is a fantastic 3rd person space horor game.  Right now $4.99 iTunes

Risk for the iPad brings the classic board game to you mobile life.  Right now $2.99 iTunes 

Life for iPad everyone loves the classic board game.  Right now $2.99 iTunes

Plants vs Zombies if you havent played this game get it.  Right now $1.99 iTunes

NBA JAM a new zany basketball game.  Right now $4.99 iTunes

Tetris is a classic puzzle.  Right now $.99 iTunes

SimCity you can manage your own city.  Right now $.99 iTunes

Monopoly everyone love this game right?  Right now $4.99 iTunes

Tiger Woods PGA Tour 12 most realistic golf on iPad.  Right now $2.99 iTunes

Need for Speed Hot Pursuit now with more content.  Right now $4.99 iTunes

Mortal Kambat classic beat em up game.  Right now $.99 iTunes

Tower Madness good 3D tower defense game.  Right now $ Free iTunes

Fifa 11 a surprisingly good soccer game.  Right now $4.99 iTunes

Reckless Racing a very fun top down racer.  Right now $.99 iTunes

Fishing Kings hey who knew you can fish with an iPad.  Right now $.99 iTunes

ESPN Watch update now optimized for the iPad

ESPN Watch has just launched an update to their video streaming app that makes it optimized for the iPad. You now don't have to look at that ugly expanded x2 view.
Check out my full review http://www.muchoipad.com/2011/04/watch-espn-app-review-on-ipad.html .

Dead Space for iPad just updated to include Survival Mode!

The iOS hit EA game Dead Space just launced its 1.0.3 update.  This update includes a whole new game play mode Survival.  Take on a swam of Necromorphs to earn credits that can be used in the game.

See more Game Videos at EA.com.

EA:
"What's New in Version 1.0.3

** CAN YOU SURVIVE…SURVIVAL MODE? UPDATE NOW and take on an all-out Necromorph onslaught to earn extra credits for your core game experience! **

More exciting and immersive than ever, DOWNLOAD the update now for a new Dead Space experience! Improvements, additions, and optimizations include:

• Survival Mode – Earn extra credits for your exploits against an all-out rush of Necromorphs
• NEW Heavy Pulse Rifle – Use credits to add this potent new weapon to your arsenal or purchase it from the in-game store
• Chapter select replays – Replay your favorite parts of the experience and maximize the dismemberment
• Nightmare difficulty – For the truly hardcore! Your health will only regenerate between levels "

Opera Mini Review for iPad with Speed & Data usage Test

Opera Mini is a unique free browser that has come to the iPad.

The main difference with this browser is it renders the web pages server side instead of on the device.
This server side rendering is supposed to increase speed and reduce data usage.
Well we will test this and give you my thoughts.
Speed Test:
I ran a test reloading a couple sites 12 times and timing the results.  I removed the fastest time and the slowest time on each and did an average. Test was ran on fast WiFi, results may be very different on slower connection.

The results show on www.muchoipad.com Opera Mini had an average of 5.2 seconds and Safari 5.83 seconds.  A site with a little more graphics www.cnet.com on Opera Mini averaged 4.69 seconds and Safari game in at 6.51 seconds.

So the winner by a little bit would be Opera Mini.

Bandwidth Usage:

I tested 10 non-mobile sites in Safari, and Opera Mini using Large image quality and low image quality.  I used an app DataMan Free to track the data usage.

This test was a big surprise to me.  I didn't expect to see such a big difference.

Opera Mini low image quality	1.2 MB
Opera Mini large image quality	1.6 MB
Safari	6.5 MB

Opera Mini with its server side rendering has really been able to save you some data usage here.  I don’t see a huge benefit on WiFi but if your are using Cellular this might be your saving grace.

Pros:

• Speedy page loads
• Small data usage
• Better tabs then Safari
• Nice start page with tile views of favorite sites
• Ability to save pages for offline viewing
• Good sharing options
• Scrolling and pinch and zoom performance is great 
• Free

Cons:

• HTML 5 video does not load
• No real time search

Final thoughts:

I am really impressed with Opera Mini on the iPad.  The responsiveness and usability really makes this feel like a browser I could use.  I could only find one glaring issues the lack of HTML5 video streaming.  I would recommend this browser especially if your running on any kind of slower connection. Also if you are running on a limited data plan this browser could save you big time.  The tabs are better than Safari but still not the kind of tabs everyone is looking for.  Hey its free give it a try. 

i3D for iPad 2 first look

Glasses Free 3D is here for the iPad 2.  Well sort of.

i3D is a free demo app using their face tracking software to deliver 3D like images to you iPad 2.  The app needs a camera so only works on iPad 2.

I find the face tracking to be responsive and pretty accurate.  I had no problems with it recognizing my face and tracking it near or far.

As for the 3D effect I find it passable but not super convincing 3D.

Now the graphics are pretty basic stuff.  I really want to see this demoed with some higher quality graphics.

But it's free and pretty need little demo I recommend giving it a try.

Hulu Plus + for iPad review

Hulu Plus is an app that lets you stream a ton of content from the site www.hulu.com.  Hulu has deals with NBC, FOX, and ABC to provide content.  Hulu Plus is basically their premium service that allows you to stream all their content on the web and use the Hulu Plus App on you iOS devices.  The Hulu Plus App is free but you will need to pay $7.99 a month to get the service.  You will get most use out of this application for TV shows.  With Hulu Plus you will even be able to get a bunch of back catalog stuff.  There are movies but the list is pretty much B movies.

Pros:

• Massive amount of content (TV).
• Quality was most of the time pretty good.
• Interface makes finding shows easy.
• Nice way to save and subscribe to your favorite shows.

Cons:

• Many of my favorite shows are Web Only. (they don't work in app)
• No social features.  So not easy to share or discover new shows.
• Movie selection is just bad.
• Does not seem to resume were I left off if I leave the app.
• Ads

Final Thoughts:
Hulu Plus is not a plus at all in my book.  I do have to admit there is a ton of content that makes it appealing.  But for $7.99 a month why is content  blocked on my device.  With some glaring omissions like any kind of social integration and does not save my spot in the show, I am going to pass on Hulu Plus.  For me I am sticking to Netflix (good movies) and Crackle (free with ads).  But if you just need to know how this service is you can get 1 week to 1 month trail periods if you look around (sign up through xbox live for 1 month free trail).

$29.99 Enki Genius Case works with Smart Cover

The Enki Genius case is designed to protect the back of our iPad while the Apple Smart Cover is protecting the front.
If you have already invested in the expensive Smart Case but feel a little unprotected in the rear then this maybe the case for you.

The case is $29.99 and I like the fact that it is made in America.
Promotion has said to end on the 16th for a free neoprene sleeve but still seems like a good deal because Belkin Snap is $39.99.

Early reviews are complaining of some sharp edges and microphone is covered.
I have not been able to verify these claims as of yet.

Fruit Ninja iPad Game Review

Fruit Ninja is a reaction based fruit slicing game.  Sound fun?  Well for $2.99 turns out it is.  



Game Play:
You use your finger to swipe across the screen to slice the fruit on the screen.  You can use multiple fingers or hands to accomplish this.  The fun part about this game is how accurate and simple the game play is.

Graphics and Sound:
The graphics are simple but great.  All the fruit slice in two and squirt all over the background.  I cant explain why watching fruit being sliced is so enjoyable but it’s a joy.  The backgrounds are kind of bland with just a wooden look to them.  The blade effects are really nice.  From the fire blade that smokes as you swipe to the butterfly blade that emits butterflies.  They are all really nice.

Lasting Appeal:
There are three game modes in single player they are all fun but my favorite is Arcade Mode.  Classic is where you go as long as you can without missing to many fruit or hitting a bomb.  Zen and Arcade are time based so they are good for a quick pickup and play session.  There is also multi-player that works wonderfully.  Play two different modes Zen Duel or Classic Attack.  You can play this on the same iPad or online.  But I think the fun comes in when you are trying to earn new blades and backgrounds.  There are many different challenges to complete to unlock them all.

Final Thoughts:
I have played way more of this game then I thought I would have.  I keep coming back to beat my friends score in Game Center.  I am really trying to unlock all the cool blades.  If I need a quick break to relieve some stress I always can slice some fruit.

Muchipad.com finial score:

Story	n/a
Game play	9
Graphics & Sound	7
Lasting Appeal	7
Final Score	7.6666

Infinity Blade Update ads PVP and survival mode on iPad

One of my favorite games Infinity Blade gets a free update "Arena" this Thursday.
The update will include some really cool modes like multi player PVP arena and survival mode.

Infinity Blade: Arena

• Enter the Arena:  Assuming the role of Titan or Knight, Infinity Blade fans can now challenge their friends to multiplayer matches online via Game Center!
• Survivor Mode: Players face off against a legion of Titans to see how far they can go!
• New Holiday Helms!  A new helm for every season, ready to be played and mastered!
• More than two dozen new magic rings, swords, shields, and helmets for players to collect and master.
• New Facebook integration allows fans to view their character on their profile and take a screen grab to share with friends.

Press Release~

Cut the Rope iPad App Game Review

I like puzzle games but most of the time they just frustrate me.  Cut the Rope is not one of these games.  The puzzles are easy enough to not be frustrating but hard enough to remain fun.

Story:
I can’t say there is any kind of story here.  You get a monster in the mail you open the box and he is hungry.  So you have to feed your monster and what he likes is candy.

Game Play:
You have a monster in a stationary location, you have a piece of candy hanging from a rope.  Now you must cut that rope to get the candy into the monster’s mouth.  But its not just that easy with obstacles as spikes and electricity to get in the way you have to use balloons, bursts of air, and sometimes gravity to get the candy to the monster.

Graphics and Sound:
The graphics are cartoony but very nice.  I really like the little things that they add like the loading screen is a box cutter opening a box.  It’s just great watching the monster’s facial expressions as he gets or looses the candy.  Only complaint I have is the levels are kind of bland.

Lasting Appeal:
There is a limited number of levels right now of 175.  But the makers Chillingo keep adding new boxes that contain 25 levels.  But I usually finish the new box pretty quick and want more.  For a little more lasting appeal attempt to 3 star all the levels.

Final Thoughts:
I am a huge Cut the Rope fan.  I don’t think it is as flushed out as some others but this is the game I look forward to playing when I find out more levels were added.  So for $1.99 I would recommend this game.

Muchipad.com finial score:

Story	5
Game play	10
Graphics & Sound	8
Lasting Appeal	7
Final Score	7.5

Terra Web Browser iPad app Review

!!UPDATE: Terra Web Browser is back in the App Store for Free!!

Terra Web Browser for the iPad is an alternative to the Safari Browser.
This free browser offers some much requested features such as Tabs, Gestures, and download management.  This is not a perfect browser with some very glaring faults but may be a good second browser if the features are something you need.





Pros:

• Clean interface with even a full screen mode.
• Very good gesture controls to move between tabs and go back and forth in browser history.
• Tabs are exactly what you're looking for.
• Download management is easy with some features like built in PDF viewer.
• Speedy (I wouldn't say faster then Safari but similar).

Cons:

• Does not render all sites well.  (My biggest complaint.  Some sites turn out to be unusable.)
• Unable to move tabs around.
• Does not import bookmarks easily. (Has to be done in iTunes).
• Search box does not even come close to Safari's.  (Missing real time search)
• Search text on page is janky.

I cant say I would recommend this browser until they fix the site rendering problem.  If you just hate Safari's tabs then maybe give this a try for a second browser.  If you know of another browser that does it all let me know.

Happy Mother's Day, 3 of my favorite apps on sale today!

Notesplus $1.99 is a fantastic note taking app. To take full advantage of this app pick up a styles and start organizing your notes.
iTunes




Splashtop at $0.99 is a steal for this near life saving remote desktop app. This app has really helped me in a bind when I needed to access someone on my home pc when I am out and about.
iTunes



Words With Friends $0.99 play this scrabble style game with all your friends. With asynchronous play you play when you have time.
iTunes

Orb Live iPad App Review

Orb Live is a video, music, photo, document sharing app.  With a Orb client installed on your desktop or laptop you can stream all your local media to your iPhone, iPod, or iPad.  Orb will decode your videos and music on the fly to match you bandwidth so if you are using 3G it may be lower quality but should stream relatively smooth.
My favorite feature of Orb is streaming live video from my TV tuner card in my PC.  I love the ability to catch that game when I am out and about.

You can also stream your content to any computer through a web browser at mycast.orb.com .
The App in the App store will cost you $9.99 for the iPad.  The application installed on your computer is free.


Pros:

• Stream Live TV from TV Tuner Card on computer.
• Stream many different file formats.
• Interface easy to use.
• Setup very easy to get going.
• Stream through any web browser.
• Set up TV recording through the App.
• Watch Internet Video.
• TV Guide to show whats on.

Cons:

• Pricey for an App. (If you have a TV tuner in your computer much cheaper then slingbox).
• Video takes to long to load.  (Live TV took the longest at well over 1 minute to load)
• Interface just a blown up iPhone interface.  (it's kind of ugly)
• Sometimes video can be unstable.  (May be my very old PC)
• Still sends video to the cloud even if on the same network.

I would say if you own a computer with a TV tuner built in and you use it to record your shows this would be the app for you.  The reviews are pretty harsh on the AppStore but I don't have the problems most are having with it.  I have been using Orb for many years now and very glad to have an iPad app now.