I Digress: Apps Plus Enough Word Games Even for Me
People who visit regularly know that I have a new iPhone. It was basically acquired so that I could run charges at shows–and as a “milestone” anniversary present from my wonderful spouse. But I’m no different from any other iPhone owner. It’s all about the apps.
I’ve been virtuous to the point of stuffiness with this thing. I didn’t go out on a bazillion-dollar apps binge, nor have I loaded up even a fraction of its generous amount of storage. So what’s ended up on here? What would you find if you could look on the iPhone of a middle-aged woman who used to be a geek but is now quite happily an artist? Well, as it turns out, plenty.
My indispensibles:
- I’ve found that life is no longer worth living without the wonderful little Weather channel application. It not only lets me get local forecasts, but I can get hold of one for wherever I happen to be going. They’re exactly the same ones that are shown on the actual Weather Channel.
- UrbanSpoon: This lets you find and check out restaurants. It works off your current location and provides reviews and ways to sort out types of restaurants. Shake the iPod, and it’ll come up with something new.
- The Associated Press: I’m a news-addict, and I’m finding that the news outlets are a bit woeful in their lack of enthusiasm. If I want to get CNN, for example, I have to fire up Safari. I wanted a little button, and the AP has obliged nicely with top headlines and actual stories.
- Epicurious: Nice. Very, very nice. I wish there was one out there that let me have a nutrition analysis.
- Facebook: I hang my head in shame.
- Maps: This one came with the iPod. I could easily grow to love it. I’ve already depended on it for two outings to Philadelphia.
Ah, the games. I’ve already done a brief review of the Oregon Trail, which has since been updated at least once. I’m getting the hang of it. I’ve finally been to Salt Lake City and have met The Mormons in the persona of a young woman who is very demurely and modestly dressed but has a sort of urban-uber-punk hairstyle at odds with her costume.
I’ve found enough word games available to satisfy even my insatiable cravings. Here are the ones I’ve gotten, kind of in order of preference:
- Moxie: Has to be one of the best. Letters pop up at random and you arrange them into three words at a time. You get extra points for certain Moxie words. Beautifully done and works well. Has a free version with dignified adverts.
- WordJong: Available in a crippled free version, the $2.99 for the full version is well worth it. Spell words and remove tiles from a board. A brand-new puzzle every day.
- Word Wrap: Like Text Twist, only better. Unscramble a set of letters into as many words as you can make. Has some unobtrusive ads in the free version.
- Text Twist: Shoot. I went straight for this one, and they’ve truly bargled it all up. It has obnoxious, incessant music. You can’t let yourself get going because it interrupts you with useless messages that break your train of thought. What a disappointment.
- Scramble: Nice. Free. Kind of like Boggle. Well done.
The Other Stuff:
- Ring Tones: Yeah, I got a couple. My cell phone has rung to “La Donna e’ mobile” for years, and now I have a version by Pavarotti. When my spouse calls, I hear the first few bars of the Evangeline Special. Elder Son gets Depeche Mode’s Beatmaster’s version of “Route 66.” Younger Son rings in to the theme from “Indiana Jones.” What can I say? If you have a toy, you might as well play with it.
- Cheek Dialing: You’ve heard of butt dialing? Well, I’m far too ladylike for that. The first day I had this, I hung up on a Web client and dialed the veterinarian, all without realizing what I’d done. I’m working on it, but I very nearly charged some poor lady $19,149 the other day while I was trying to enter her zip code. Not so good. I plan to use the headset next time I’m out of the house.
- ShutUpShutUPSHUTUP: Going to church? I certainly hope so. Or maybe a nice movie or concert. This phone has a little button. Push it, and you turn off the noise. No going in and changing your configuration.
