When I was asked by the High Technology Development Corporation (www.htdc.org) to provide my expertise in reviewing apps for the 13th Annual Holiday Science & Tech Fair I felt honored and excited to see the local technology talent in Hawaii as well as the quality and creativity each design reflected.
In this article you will find the latest reviews on my top App picks for this event. The reviews are sorted by category with a short description. I hope you enjoy!
Games:
Sushi Star by Tapiki, LLC
Shusi Star by Tapiki, LLC is a cool and sleek game that challenges your ability and skills as you trend through the game and unlock six challenging but fun locations from different places around the world. Yes, you get to become the Sushi Master you always desired but without the calories and carbohydrates to worry about.
This is a great little app that provides clean and exciting graphics with never ending enjoyment. The game has numerous levels that become more difficult and crazier as you progress in the game. You can unlock 50 fun filled prizes as you progress through the game plus you can share these prizes with your friends and family on Facebook and/or twitter. So don’t wait! Check out Sushi Star and enjoy a high impact fun game with lots of flare and taste.
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/sushi-star/id425401505?mt=8
Atomic Apples
Talk about a fun and exciting game! Atomic Apples puts danger into a matching game by including an atomic explosion into the game element. The user has to make as many matches as they can before they explode! How cool is that?! The longer the matching chains the more points you get and the more fun you have. However, this game is not without a challenge because the higher levels get harder but still keeps the element of fun. This is a great game for both adults and kids that will provide hours of fun and enjoyment. I highly recommend this game for all.
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/atomic-apples/id573424428
Infinite Surf By Jared Bailey
As a surfer I navigated to this game very quickly. I tend to be very hesitant when it comes to surfing games; I have found very few that provided a true surfer’s view until now. Infinite Surf is more than a game but a walk through a surfing art gallery with great graphics and the thrill of surfing many different levels that show the beauty of surfing. The game allows you to cruise and collect coins all day or you can test your limits to see how many points you can get, awesome game!
The game allows:
• Infinite gameplay
• Unique take on an endless runner
• Play at your own pace
• Four different surfboards
• Two different fun filled waves
• Easy and intuitive tilt control
I recommend this game for the surfer at heart or the surfer in actions, either way you will have fun!
https://itunes.apple.com/app/infinite-surf/id552770857?mt=8
Social/Lifestyle
FriiStyle
Got to love this app! Frii brings great deals from many of your favorite local hangouts. It’s simple, easy, and very accurate. All you need to do is simply show up and display the coupon on your IPhone and enjoy great savings at restaurants, shops, services, activities and more. The user interface is simple to navigate and the deals seem to be growing as I type. If you are into having fun and want to save money and time this is the app for you. I have already downloaded it and saved a pretty penny. This app is simply simple and a winner all around.
https://itunes.apple.com/app/id515813605?mt=8
Happy Hour Hawaii
Happy Hour Hawaii mobile offers GPS based happy hour information that includes menus, hours, pictures, and much more. The user interface is simple and easy to navigate and the app is updated with new information on a regular basis to assure a good time for all. The app is available for both IOS devices and Android devices, this designer has thought of it all. I highly recommend this application for those who love the happy hour savings.
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/happy-hour-hawaii-for-iphone/id447002075?mt=8
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.happyhourhawaii.togo&h...
Productivity/Business
LuxiBoard by SOS Tech Solutions.
www.luxiboard.com
Great concept and application for helping to organize and facilitate good communication throughout. The user interface is built with easy navigation in mind, improves staff efficiency and provides a professional looking appearance to any organization.
The application provides:
• Announcements
• Classifieds
• Parcels
• Sleek and professional looking appearance.
• Great graphics
• Virtual Information Desk
I highly recommend looking at LuxiBoard app to replace the old school cork bulletin board for that modern and professional look.
Aku Shaper
Akushaper.com
Got to love this application! As a life time surfer and a want to be surfboard shaper (I have try my hand a few times) how could I not review this great app.
Aku Shaper is an easy to use Computer Aided Surfboard Design Software that is used worldwide to design some great high performance and everyday use surfboards.
The application features:
• Free version (got to love free)
• Image Import
• Shape 3D File Import
• DSD file Import
• PDF Printout
• Ghost Board - you can compare a working board with another saved board.
• Board positioning in Blank
• Fin Positioning
• Guide Points
• Life Size Slices Zooming.
For more information on features check out the website at http://www.akushaper.com/display/software/features
I downloaded the free version and was very impressed with the user interface and how easy it was to learn the app right from the start. Aku Shaper's website offers a very intuitive software tutorial that is broken down into three categories Beginner, Intermediate, and advanced. It is very clear that the designer(s) care about the success of the end user and displays this in the amount of support they provide throughout the website
I highly recommend this application for professional shapers and guys like me who just want to feel like one. I do have a special request for Aku Shaper, can you design an app for building a four man surfing canoe?
MailGapp by Resources Suites
As a small business owner I can surely appreciate this application and this time saving service. MailGapp is a time and money saving concept that takes the footwork and guesswork out of checking your company mailbox (physical mailbox aka snail mail), with MailGapp your mail is delivered to an off-site postal mailbox and you are notified directly to your handheld device or computer, how cool is that?
As a business owner you no longer have to take time out from your busy day to pick up mail only to find out that your mailbox is empty. This is solved by this simple application and service that will allow you to focus on what is important within the organization.
The application itself is very simple and easy to navigate through but still functional enough that it provides what is promised to the user.
MailGapp has many features that include:
• Virtual Malbox
• Click to Call, Email, Get Directions, Google Search & Add to Contacts
• QR Code Scanning & Reminders
• Fully Customizable Settings
Very impressive application and I would recommend MailGapp to any organization both small and large who wants to focus on running the organization instead of playing mail-man.
Please visit the app site at http://www.mailgapp.com/ and try it!
Oceanit
myMERCI
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/mymerci/id580372262?mt=8
Living on an island all my life I have dealt with numerous disasters and near misses. Fact in hand is the recent close calls we have had with tsunami warnings. Oceanit has developed an app that helps take away some of the hassle and stress of preparing for a disaster and recovering your losses.
With this easy to use application you can record valuable information about disasters that has affected your family and your property with just a few easy simple steps. With myMERCI you simply upload baseline information for safe keeping to a secure server as well as updates on damages due to any disaster. myMERCI takes it a step further by providing the user with suggestions on what to use the app for such as report damage in your community to government officials and other responders who can use the information to aid in disaster assistance within the community.
The application user interface and navigation is very intuitive and Oceanit provides a fairly comprehensive walk through for the application. Registration was a snap and once you have access to the application you are taken through a step-by-step walk through that makes this application usable from the start.
myMerci allows you to send photos that are geo tagged and automatically date and time marked that can be used for insurance purposes. It also allows users to catalogue their property and belongings in detail with either an IPhone and/or IPad.
myMerci app is available as a free download on Apple's App Store. Check it out, I have and it's a great app
Honorable mention apps:
Hawaii Filmmakers
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/hawaii-filmmakers/id526651862?mt=8
Stream seven award-winning films that illustrate the richness, diversity and complexity of Hawai’i and the region. Each film is made by an outstanding filmmaker from Hawai’I who tells visual stories with originality, technical excellence, courage and abiding passion.
Festivals of Hawaii
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/festivals-of-hawaii/id445144323?mt=8
On every island, on any day, Hawaii celebrates. Discover more than 100 events through the Festivals of Hawaii, where cultures and traditions are celebrated in the Hawaiian Islands. From film festivals and Hawaiian music concerts, to food and wine galas and canoe races, our app helps you find something to do in the islands and to plan your vacation in paradise! Pick an island or an event type, and join us in the celebration.
Cubed Rally Redline
https://itunes.apple.com/app/cubed-rally-redline/id574202956?mt=8
Push it to the limit in the follow up to the micro hit Cubed Rally Racer! Just how far can you make it down the track in this endless racer?
Cubed Rally Racer
https://itunes.apple.com/app/cubed-rally-racer/id373248453?mt=8
Cubed Rally Racer is an 3d isometric rally car racing game where each level is randomly generated. Race around the track collecting gas/boost cans trying to get the best time. Think Dirt meets RC Pro-Am meets Canabalt.
Waste Paper Basket Ball Diaries
https://itunes.apple.com/app/waste-paper-basket-ball-diaries/id331520175?mt=8
Sometimes sitting at the back of the office is like sitting in the back of a classroom. Simply crush incoming memos into balls and make some quick imaginary points by shooting them into the surrounding waste paper baskets. Better yet, crush your incoming assignments and get them into a co-workers inbox. They'll have to do the work for you! Bounce one off a coworkers head for some consecutive bonus points or hit the AC for a wind multiplier. Now you're making some real imaginary points
Duck N Cover
https://itunes.apple.com/app/duck-n-cover/id318913855?mt=8
Time to hunt some ducks! It's either you or them and only one of you knows how to operate a shotgun. Take out as many of you flying foul
Carolla Sports
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/carolla-sports/id560828077?ls=1&mt=8
play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.nojuice.carolla.android
Carolla Sports keeps you in the action for the 2012 pro football season! Make your picks for Sunday and Monday - pick the winners of Sunday’s games, and in-game stats for Monday’s big game. When the games start, track the live scores and statistics while you earn points towards prizes each week.
Hello Makana
www.hellomakana.com
Lucky we live Hawaii! We have spent much of our lives outside of the islands. We know what it feels like to miss the sand and surf, local food and the aloha spirit. And we remember how a care package can instantly bring you back. We have many friends and family who live away but still call Hawaii home. We are always looking for quality, unique, gifts that are truly locally-made to share our aloha and a little bit of the islands
Tealet
www.tealet.com
Advancements in technology and connectivity on the internet have made it possible for tea farmers to integrate their businesses vertically and sell their tea direct to the market. This means they are able to significantly improve their situation in the market and improve the livelihood of their communities
Decision Research
DRCMobile
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/drcmobile/id465805715
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.decisionresearch.app1
DecisionMaker Mobile is a solution which allows insurance carriers and MGAs to provide mobile support for their customers. The product can connect to any legacy insurance policy administration system through standard web services to expose business functionality directly to the customer.
Please visit High Technology Development Corporation page at www.htdc.org for more information on the 13th Annual Holiday Science & Tech Fair.
Mahalo!
Dale Gibler, MSCIS
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