App Review: Trivie

Product: Trivie – Battle of Wits 

iTunes Link: Trivie 

Cost:  Free 

Category:  Games

Platform: iOS

Device: iPhone 

Rating: 5/5

Review: 

Description: 

Do you enjoy playing Trivia Pursuit?  Do you have thousands of useless facts in your head and need a way to release them before your head explodes?  Well if you answered yes to the prior questions and have friends or Facebook (or you are open to playing trivia games against random strangers) then we have an app for you!  

Trivie allows you to challenge a friend (or stranger) to four rounds of trivia.  The first three rounds consist of five questions while the last round has only one final question.  The questions are in a form of multiple choices and the faster you answer the higher your score. 

Pros: 

We found the game addictive and fun.  The questions are from variety of subject matters such as film, geography, politics, history, art, music, etc. There is something for everyone and at times when we guessed it was still a fun challenge. 

Cons: 

If you play the game enough some of the questions will appear again, so be aware of that as you play hundreds of games at the same time you can become the master of all answers.   

Bottom Line: 

Get it!  If you enjoy trivia games then this will be right up your alley.  

App Review: Tap Tap Ants

Product: Tap Tap Ants

iTunes Link: Tap Tap Ants

Cost:  Free 

Category:  Games

Platform: iOS

Device: iPhone

Rating: 2/5

Review: 

Description: 

The idea behind Tap Tap Ants is that you try to squish as many ants as possible during the game.  There are three types of plays:  Time, survival and kids mode.  

Pros: 

The game seems a bit of a rehash of the classic Galaga arcade game. The ants attach the food item below the screen and you try to kill as many of them as possible.  We found a certain nostalgic like for this game. 

Cons: 

The free version of the app is filled with pop ups and at times, it felt to us they try to trick you into purchasing extra things as you try to tap yourself into various menu options. 

Bottom Line: 

Skip it!  The game is rather mindless and you just spend most  of your time trying to dodge the pop up apps. 

App Review: Cargo-Bot

Product: Cargo-Bot

iTunes Link: CARGO-BOT

Cost:  Free

Category:  Games

Platform: iOS

Device: iPad

Rating: 4/5

Review:

Description:

If your sole experience with computer programming is with what you have seen on movies or TV shows and you believe that a computer program can be written with a few strokes (One handed of course) of keyboard and slamming down a Red Bull can, they you will be in for a treat.  This game works in the same way a computer program works, you are given a series of puzzles and you are expected to provide “DETAILED” instructions on how to solve the puzzles. 

Fun fact about this App is that the game was created entirely on the iPad. 

Pros:

If you are a younger member of your family is interested in learning about programming this is a great start.  You will soon realize the frustrating detail that is needed to execute simple things.  You will also come to the conclusion that it will take many more generations of computer power before they are ready to take over the world.

Cons:

The puzzles involved with this App involve stacking of various color boxes in different positions and order, we would have enjoyed different types of puzzles.

Bottom Line:

Get it!  If you enjoy learning about the basics of programming or exposing your children to the disciplines behind programming this is a great starter app.   

App Review: Awesome Eats

Product: Awesome Eats

iTunes Link: Awesome Eats

Cost:  Free

Category:  Games

Platform: iOS

Device: iPhone & iPad

Rating: 5/5

Review:

Description:

Awesome Eats is a game created by Whole Foods for young kids. It sets a list of tasks that involve sorting fruits, vegetables and whole grains into different stacks and conveyor belts.  Between tasks and rounds it provides healthy tips about various fruits, vegetables and whole grains which hopefully should encourage kids to eat healthier.  The game is similar to Angry Birds and has various levels that open up when you have successfully completed the previous challenge.  

Pros:

This is a great game for kids with the added bonus of sending them healthy eating messages between challenges and levels.  Younger kids (Age 3-5) will enjoy the tasks and are amused by the graphics of the various vegetables, fruits and whole grains (Parents can even make a game of it by asking them to identify the items).  Kids over 6 will enjoy the challenges of each level and enjoy reading the tips that pop up.

Cons:

We would have liked to see different challenge settings besides the conveyor belts.

Bottom Line:

Get it!  This is a great app for children that would play Angry Birds style games.  The App provides healthy eating tips as well as makes the kids think about fruits and vegetables.