Apple sent me $50 for the App Store -- here's what I bought
Every once in a while, Apple sends some gift cards my way so I can download apps for testing.
This time, armed with two $25 gifts cards direct from Cupertino, I bring you nearly $50 worth of apps that I think/hope you will enjoy.
The prices do not take into account sales tax and are rounded up to the nearest dollar.
Of course, I'd love to know what you think. Let me know in the comments or via
Twitter.
Thanks for calling.
APP: Madden NFL '10PRICE: $9.99
SUMMARY: Over the Thanksgiving holiday, EA marked down a bunch of games in the spirit of Black Friday. Madden was $6.99 for a while. To me, it's still worth it at regular price. Sure, controlling football players with a touchscreen and multitouch isn't as fun and cool as using an XBox or Playstation, but if you absolutely need Madden on the go, this version will certainly make you happy.
APP: MonopolyPRICE: $4.99
SUMMARY: Monopoly is one of those games that you either love or hate. Playing it on an iPhone makes it easy to love. What you may not have realized is that the classic edition is a new addition to the App Store - the other version is called Monopoly: Here and Now. That version is fine too, but I much prefer the classic to the updated.
APP: Travel KitPRICE: $.99
SUMMARY: I'm a huge fan of a bargain. You can get all of this stuff either through multiple apps or the Internet, but why when you can get it all under one roof for 99 cents. This app includes the following: flight status, currency converter, unit converter, postcard, language translator, tip calculator, world clock, torch and emergency light, world fact book.
APP: ColorMagicPRICE: $.99
SUMMARY: Some people love the idea of selective color in a photo and some think the effect is cheesy. I think it depends on the photo. Personally, I like an app that makes the process easy and this app does just that.
APP: Guess The NewsPRICE: $.99
SUMMARY: If you are looking for an app that's addictive and yet keeps you up to date on what's happening in the news, look no further. You can even play in different languages. With all the repetitive word games out there, this is a refreshing change.
APP: Surviving High SchoolPRICE: $2.99
SUMMARY: Kind of Sims like - you live high school the way you want to. Just in time for your 20th reunion! Become a jock or a nerd, a popular kid or an outsider. Change the story with each decision you make. But remember, some choices are wiser than others.
APP: Call of Duty: World at War: ZombiesPRICE: $9.99
SUMMARY: I don't recommend $9.99 games unless they are really good. This one passes that test with flying colors. The game is for mature audiences only - plenty of horror, violence and foul language.
APP: Bejeweled 2PRICE: $2.99
SUMMARY: **WARNING: ONCE YOU START PLAYING THIS GAME YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO STOP. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED. THAT IS ALL** - Oh, and then there's the Facebook integration which takes it to an even higher level.
APP: SkeeballPRICE: .99
SUMMARY: The absolute best 99 cents you'll spend, just don't do it when you have other important things that have to get done. Once you start playing, it's so hard to put it down. The only saving grace is that it doesn't cost a quarter every time.
APP: World Series of PokerPRICE: 6.99
SUMMARY: There are a lot of poker games in the App Store - some are good and some are bad. This one is right up there with Apple's poker game. If I had one wish it's that it would be $4.99, but I like the game enough where it's worth recommending.
APP: Tweetie 2PRICE: 2.99
SUMMARY: Still my favorite Twitter app in the App Store, hands down. And with the release of 2.1 on Sunday, support is built in for retweeting, lists, geolocation and more. You can try to save a buck or two or three on another Twitter app, but you should just spend $2.99 and be done with it.
APP: I am T-PainPRICE: 2.99
SUMMARY: I'm not sure how much longer auto tuning has before it's never spoken of again, but for now it's fun to hear how your voice sounds this way. From the fun folks at Smule, the ones that brought you the flute-like app Ocarina, this is worth it if you have an extra $2.99 lying around. And now it's even better. The latest update lets you sing over your songs in iTunes so you can finally found out if you sound better than Britney Spears (I bet you do).
APP: ImplodePRICE: 1.99
SUMMARY: If you like physics, this game is a lot of fun. Features 60 levels with 20 coming soon. One of those easy-to-become-hooked-on type experiences.
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7 Comments
Ryan Kiefer said:
Lucky. I wish Cupertino would send some gift cards my way :(
Though I do love most of the apps listed. I Am T-Pain is a great time-waster, for a little while at least. An iPhone user without Tweetie 2 is not an iPhone user, period. Good choice of games, too, though you forgot The Sims 3, which is surprisingly good for a mobile version of the game.
John R. Haigh said:
These are some great apps. Especially like Tweetie 2. :P
Please check out my apps for consideration: App Popular (app discovery tool) & Mark On Call (home interior space designer). Thanks!
Matt B said:
I've been thinking about getting the Monopoly app for a while now, I'm just wondering if I'd play it often enough to get my money's worth.
Lisa said:
Scott- where do i get a job were apple sends me gift cards!!!! I'm already a big fan of bejeweled 2-- it's insanely addicting-- especially when linked to fb, with the 1 min challenge!. I also love skeeball, and tweetie 2, i'll have to give some of the others you recommend a shot!!!
Susan Kennedy said:
Scott, What a great list. I just went through $30 dollars of iTunes where Best Buy gave me $30 dollars on Black Friday for buying my iPod. I read your blog afterwards, but I had also gotten Tweetie 2. I also like Reeder that I had found another recommendation for. The other things I got had more to do with the fact that I have a 4 year old granddaughter than what I might have gotten otherwise.
But I am making a wish list for next time of Guess the News and World Series of Poker.
Susan
pajamasceo said:
You re-purchased Tweetie 2 again? I love this app myself and it occupies a spot on my homescreen, but did you really purchase it again? You've recommended this over and over again.
Scott Kleinberg said:
You know, I wasn't nearly clear enough on the Tweetie 2 thing. When I started the post, it was what I would buy with the $50 from Apple and it turned into what I did buy but I had added Tweetie into the list. So, no, I didn't buy it twice. I'm sorry I made that so confusing.
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