Slingbox Solo Setup & Configuration

This is Part 1 of a 3 part series on the Slingbox Solo, Slingplayer Mobile for iPhone and finally the overall review of how both the desktop Slingplayer and the Slingplayer Mobile perform on both Wi Fi and 3G networks.  At the conclusion of the 3 videos I will grade the overall package, state the pros and cons as well as give my overall thoughts about the Slingbox performance and value.  So stay tuned for the next two parts in the series it will prove to be very exciting for sure.  Slingbox Solo as well as the SlingPlayer mobile application will also be highlighted in my iPhone Life Magazine Article to be published in the Summer 2010 issue.

App Review: Weather Machine

Rating: 9 out of 10
Pros: lots of information other than the temperature, ability to pinpoint using GPS and auto locate for weather, cool weather alerts
Cons: A little redundant with 3 places to see the 5 day forecast, so much information it can be over whealming
Overall: This app is a perfect replacement from the stock generic weather app, ability to see weather maps, alerts, hourly and weekly forecasts.  Nice graphics to round it out and I love the rotate feature to graphical maps.  The $3.99 is a little high, but for all the features you get it’s not too overpriced.

If you are interested in purchasing Weather Machine for $3.99 click here to be brought to the iTunes page.

App Preview: Deliverace

Deliverace is a classic top-down racing game that will be released on iPhone and Android soon. It features the nicest graphics, coolest physics and dirtiest powerslides ever seen on a handheld device. Developed by racing game veterans at Pixelbite Games.

Apple Pulls Wifi Detecting Apps

It seem like Apple has been on a tear as of late. Removing certain types of apps left and right. Well now they’ve taken the fight to WiFi sniffing applications. Applications that actively “sniff” for signals were pulled. Apps that rely on GPS search and cell triangulation were not removed from the App Store. The reason: Apple truly hasn’t given a specific answer. Some developers whose applications were removed were told, they’re apps used private frameworks. Which frameworks however, were not given. What is disappointing is these developers have spent time on these apps and now they no longer have an avenue to sell them.

App Review: Follow Friday Generator

Rating: 7 out of 10
Pros: easily generates Follow Fridays dependent on who you tweet often and lately.
Cons: There is no predictive entry for people you follow, limited to 3 favorites.
Overall: This app is a perfect concept and the first version works solidly, with a few tweaks like predictive text and setting up follow Friday lists that you may use every week this app would be pretty close to perfect.  For 99 cents you really can’t go wrong.  If you do 1 or 2 #ff a week this app is for you but if you do numerous #ff I would wait for the evolution of versions.

If you are interested in purchasing Follow Friday Generator for 99 cents click here to be brought to the iTunes page.

GPS App Review: N Drive

Rating: 5 out of 10
Pros: Multitude of purchase option: purchase the whole country or only major metropolitan areas, decent user interface.
Cons: Navigation is a bit spotty as it usually ads a few blocks and instructs you to make unneeded U-Turns, not as clean and vibrant as other GPS applications on the market.  Putting in destination is clunky at times.
Overall: The N Drive application falls short of the other GPS applications available.  I had high hopes for this app and although I can’t point out glaring shortcomings the overall finish of the application fails to live up to standards.  Map accuracy is sub par although it does get you from point A to point B although sometimes in a roundabout way.  With a little work in numerous areas this app can be a contender but until then I would go with another solution.

If you would like to learn more about Ndrive United States you can check it out in the iTunes App Store by clicking here.  United States purchase price is $32.99.

App Review: Plants vs. Zombies

Rating: 10 out of 10
Pros: This game is very addictive. The simple controls along with fantastic design make this game a definite winner.
Cons: Zombies eating your brains.
Overall: Fantastic game. Awesome price for the amount of work put into the game play. A must have in my opinion. But if you don’t believe me check out the Flash version of the game before you decide to buy it. I’m sure you will like it.

Plants vs. Zombies is $2.99 available in the App Store now.

App Review: X2 Snowboarding

App Review: The Treasures of Mystery Island

Rating: 9 out of 10
Pros: Graphics are great, the storyline is interesting, the replay value is high (20 episodes, over 12 mini games, and trophies), and there’s a lot of unique elements to this game, plus there’s a feature to create multiple files/players.
Cons: Unfortunately the game did crash on me a few times while trying to either create or switch players/files.
Overall: I found myself playing this game for hours and even after I beat it I went back for more. Its a great app!

You can check out Mystery Island in iTunes for $3.99.  Click here to be brought to the app store page.

App Review: Graves Robber

Rating: 6 out of 10
Pros: great graphics, smooth gameplay, lots of action
Cons: Overwhelming with all the controls, items and enemies.  Normal price is a bit higher at $4.99
Overall: Overall the game feels complicated.  There are a lot of items on the screen, tons of zombies coming at you and reloading can be troublesome at times.  At the current sale price $.99 it’s a great deal, you can spend a good amount of time playing this game, but it’s not a quick pick up and play game, it is a bit more involved.  If you’re looking for a 3D RPG with 1st and 3rd person views, this is the game for you.  Get it directly from the itunes app store here.