(Credit:
CNET)
Of all the great enhancements, fixes, and goodies in iPhone OS 3.0 (video overview here), I quickly realized there was one glaring omission. With the useful addition of a Voice Memos app, an old problem reared its ugly head. The update put the Voice Memos app icon on the home page, pushing whatever lone app icon that sat in the lower right of the homepage onto its own screen on the next page. This meant that in order to maximize my use of page space (I have a lot of apps!), I now had to rearrange my apps on the last page to fill the mostly blank second page. If you've ever tried to move lots of apps, you know how frustrating it can be to slowly drag each jiggly icon across several screens to its new home.
After a little research I found a slightly less time-consuming solution, but I'm hoping a later iPhone OS will provide an easier way to move several icons. The method I found is to go to your last page of apps, then drag your Dock icons (Phone, Mail, Safari, and iPod) onto their own screen to the right of the last page. With these safely tucked away, you can grab groups of four icons, drop them in the dock, then unload them on your mostly empty second page. When you're all finished, slide your original icons back on to the Dock and hit the Home button. It's not a perfect solution, but until Apple offers some sort of cleanup option, moving four apps at a time is better than just one.
This week's apps include a fun program for making digital postcards (utilizing some nifty iPhone 3.0 features) and a 3D dogfight flying game you can play over Wi-Fi.
Use your location (top center) to use the iPhone map complete with pinch zooming capabilities.
(Credit: CNET)Postman (99 cents) lets you send digital post cards to your friends and family, with some nifty features to make it fun for everyone. We've seen post card apps before, but Postman takes advantage of some of the new features in iPhone OS 3.0 to make it even better. To create a postcard, take a photo from within the program, choose an image from your library, or pick from several generic templates. You can also add basic effects like sepia and black and white to give the image the feel you want. For something a little different, Postcard also lets you take advantage of the new iPhone OS by letting you use an image of your location with the integrated maps features.
To personalize your postcard, add some text to your image using one of several available fonts and colors. When your satisfied with the front of the postcard, hit the Back button to flip it over and write your personalized message. When you're ready, use the Share button to show off your work on Facebook, Tumblr, or Twitter, or you can simply e-mail it to the intended party.
Postman is a unique app for sending messages to friends, but we would have liked to be able to resize and move the text on the front for more interesting design possibilities. Either way, as a 99-cent app, Postman is difficult to pass up.
Read the instructions first to find how to use all the onscreen controls.
(Credit: CNET)F.A.S.T.: Fleet Air Superiority Training ($5.99) lets you take to the air and experience the thrill of flying in full 3D as you blow planes out of the sky. It helps to read the instructions first so you know what each control does before starting. Play one-player missions to get the feel for the controls and to unlock new advanced fighter aircraft (there are 10 in all). Maneuver your plane by tilting your iPhone, and use onscreen controls for missiles, afterburners, and flares. F.A.S.T. also lets you play online with Wi-Fi against one opponent, head-to-head, or 2-on-2 matches.
One thing I would like to note about F.A.S.T. is that I wasn't very impressed when I first started playing--the graphics aren't as amazing as other titles, and the maneuverability of the plane seems kind of muddy without practice. But once I understood the controls, went on a few missions, and started joining up with people online, the game became a lot more fun. I guess my point is, if you don't like it at first, give it some time. Overall, I think F.A.S.T. is an excellent dogfight sim for those who like flying games and--with online action--offers plenty of replay value.
What's your favorite iPhone app? What do you think of the iPhone OS update so far? Got a better way to move app icons? Let me know in the comments!
Update: As some savvy readers have pointed out, simply grabbing the lone app icon and moving it to the next page solves the problem in my example. But I still wish there was some sort of clean up button for when you have spaces on several pages (after deleting a few apps, for example) to make your apps fill in the open spaces automatically.
(Credit:
CNET)
In addition to the big Apple announcements of new laptops and the iPhone 3G S at this weeks WWDC, other well-known developers used the conference as an opportunity to release some big name iPhone applications. I usually try to balance my coverage of iPhone apps by talking about one game and one useful utility, but with this week's big releases, I'm going to talk about two games. These games are both $9.99, so with the higher price point, I think it's worth it to give you the rundown of both so you can decide if you want to spend the money on either or both of these top-name games.
This week's apps include the latest entry in one of the most popular game institutions of all time and a new racing game from a now highly-respected iPhone game developer.
Just like real life, sometimes you just want to lay back and relax on the couch
(Credit: CNET)The Sims 3 ($9.99) for iPhone and iPod Touch lets you create a character (or sim) and live a virtual life in a full-fledged 3D town. You start by choosing your look including clothing, hairstyle, and eye-color. Then you choose five personality traits from a list, from the mundane like "modest" to more exciting and strange traits like "vain," each of which will affect how you are received by other sims in town. Once you're ready, you begin your life at your small house where you'll need to take care of your sim's every need, from sleeping and eating, to showering and bathroom breaks. As you progress in the game and make more money, you'll be able to remodel your house, advance in your relationships (including marriage) and other fun activities (Woohoo--you'll know why I wrote that once you play).
Clearly, the Sims 3 on your iPhone is not going to be the expansive experience you might have on other platforms. I still found the game oddly mesmerizing as I went into town to find a job, met other sims in the neighborhood, and bought recipes so I could cook more exciting meals at my house besides simple snacks. Part of the fun in Sims games is the ability to try things you wouldn't otherwise do in real life. So don't be afraid to make a "Jerk" character and do things like kick over trash cans and act rudely toward the town people, just to see what happens. If you liked the other Sims games, The Sims 3 for iPhone is worth the price. Make sure to restart your iPhone before playing to avoid crashes.
Choose between a cockpit view or a camera view from behind the car
(Credit: CNET)Real Racing ($9.99) is the long awaited title from Firemint, the makers of the popular air traffic control game FlightControl. Real Racing offers excellent graphics with different camera views, 36 cars in 3 classes, 12 unique tracks, and five game modes--most of which you will unlock as you win races. You also can sync your best times against other players online and even join a league to rise up through the ranks against people across the globe.
Real Racing combines great graphics, excellent goal-oriented gameplay (new cars and tracks) and an online component that's more than just a high score list. But what makes me like this game over all other racing sim-type games for iPhone are the sensitive, but realistic feeling controls, including an autobraking system that helps you learn the ropes to become a better racer. I wasn't able to test the network racing with anyone here at work, but judging from all the other gameplay and attention to detail in this game, I imagine it is quite enjoyable. There was a lot of hype leading up to the release of Real Racing, and now that I've tried it, it seems the hype was all true. Any racing fan should definitely get this game.
What's your favorite iPhone app? What do you think of the iPhone version of The Sims 3? Does Real Racing live up to all the hype? Let me know in the comments!
Though computer monitor technology has long since passed the days when you truly needed to "save your screen," screensavers are still a lot of fun and a great way to personalize your desktop when you're away from the computer. This collection features screensavers that are most popular with our users.
(Credit:
CNET Networks)
Free Fire Screensaver sets your icons and windows ablaze. Watch as each item slowly catches fire and begins to smoke on your desktop. Crackling and popping sounds and a musical soundtrack complete the effect. Add your own MP3 to customize your desktop flare-up.
(Credit:
CNET Networks)
3D Fish School Screensaver lets you view up to 100 fish swimming peacefully on your desktop. Choose from a saltwater or freshwater virtual aquarium and tweak the settings to allow for more fish and bubbles. Use the settings to display a clock so you can check the time without waking your computer.
(Credit:
CNET Networks)
Sim Aquarium reminds us more of a sea floor teaming with aquatic life. Watch your fish swim around a coral reef complete with live clams and swaying sea life. Choose from 41 species of fish.
(Credit:
CNET Networks)
The Matrix Screen Saver is a longtime favorite for many users and continues to mesmerize with its now classic falling digital code. Wait a second, I think I just spotted myself typing this in the falling code. Maybe we are part of the Matrix! Somehow, I doubt Keanu can save us.
(Credit:
CNET Networks)
Deep Space 3D Screensaver lets you take a trip to a distant galaxy and explore planetary systems and nebulae. As you watch, you may even encounter mysterious items and artifacts floating in the void. Are they manmade? Maybe not. Pleasant music accompanies your journey through space.
(Credit:
CNET Networks)
3D World Map lets you gaze upon our planet in full 3D and view detailed information on more than 30,000 cities. Compute the distance between any two points on Earth. Tweak settings to adjust color and saturation to customize your view of the globe. This screensaver comes with a built-in MP3 player so you can view the Earth and listen to your own soundtrack.
(Credit:
SnakeHead Software)
Flight simulators used to be a staple of gaming when I was younger. I remember spending hours playing the hell out of an F-15-based game on the Sega Master System. It was pretty pathetic. The missiles were basically white dots, but it was all I had at the time and I loved it for a while.
I guess we were all still buzzing from our post Top Gun and maybe Iron Eagle obsession in the late '80s and early '90s. Nowadays, flight sims just aren't as popular. However, if you've been aching for a true dogfight flight sim for the iPhone, you may not have to wait much longer.
There are a couple of flight sim games for the iPhone, however, according to SnakeHead Software, their game Flying Aces is the first true dogfight flight sim for the iPhone and iPod Touch.
The game puts you in control of an F-15 Eagle flying over the Persian Gulf and uses accelerometer controls to give you a more realistic flight experience. There will also be a ranking systems for players to compete against one another. The more A.I.-controlled enemy fighters you shoot down, the higher your rank will be.
This version of the game will be available on the App Store sometime in November for $7.99. SnakeHead Software is planning to release a multiplayer version of the game sometime in the future. At that point, the game will be priced at $9.99. According to the company, users that purchased the first version of the game will "most likely" be able to get the upgrade for free.
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