Lory Gil

Writer of all things app related, traveler of the space-time continuum, baker of really great cookies. Follow me @appaholik

Apps of the week: Dragon Quest II, Find the Line, Zombie Highway 2

Lory Gil ∙ Updated May 24, 2023

This was another big week for the tech world as Apple officially announced its next media event on Oct. 16. I’m a huge fan of the iPad and am looking forward to finding out what’s next for the tablet line. However, I’m also hoping against hope that the next generation of Apple TV will finally be ready. Mine is getting kind of old.

If you are hyper-focused on next week’s big announcement, you may need a bit of distraction this weekend. We’ve got a list of apps and games, which just launched recently that we think you will enjoy. Check them out and let us know what you think of them in the comments below.

ORBB planetary puzzle game takes you out of this world

Lory Gil ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

Relaxing puzzle games can come in all forms. I’ve played games that are minimalistic, atmospheric, nature-based. It doesn’t matter what the theme is, as long as the mechanics don’t make you want to throw your iPhone at a wall. ORBB is a tranquil puzzle adventure that takes place in the vast reaches of outer space. If you can’t find peace in the never-ending vacuum of space, you’ll never find it.

Blink Keyboard should make typing on your gigantic iPhone 6 easier

Lory Gil ∙ October 9, 2014

I am one of a handful of people that did not upgrade to the iPhone 6 or iPhone 6 Plus specifically because of the size. My hands are small and I’ve gotten used to the width of the iPhone 5. I can type and play games with one hand without feeling like I’m having to stretch too far.

Blink Keyboard is a third-party keyboard app that helps iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus users that are used to one-handed typing but are having trouble with the larger screen size. The app shifts the keyboard to the left or right so you can reach all the letters.

Spirits of Spring is a story-driven game with deep, emotional value

Lory Gil ∙ Updated January 27, 2019

Mindless video games where players shoot at everything in sight and don’t look back are loads of fun, but games that have a subtle message can be just as fun if they are done right.

Spirits of Spring is an adventure game that explores the notion of loyalty, friendship, and understanding. It also points out just how terrible bullying can be and how it affects victims. We’ve got a game review of Spirits of Spring for you today.

Card Dungeon takes the “digital” out of digital board games

Lory Gil ∙ October 9, 2014

I am a card-carrying (pun intended) member of the board gaming community. I love a good, old-fashioned hours-long tabletop adventure with three to five of my closest friends. That’s why, any time I see a board game app, I jump at the chance to check it out and pass my experience onto you.

Card Dungeon is a basic dungeon crawl tabletop style board game that reverts back to the two-dimensional token look while still making a roguelike adventure that is fun for fans of the genre. We’ve got a full game review of Card Dungeon for you today.

The best keyboards for iOS 8

Lory Gil ∙ Updated October 13, 2018

For the past two-and-a-half weeks, I’ve been checking out the top third-party keyboard apps for iOS 8. Hopefully, my first-look reviews have helped some of our readers to figure out which one is the perfect match for them. Maybe you’ve already tried them all yourself and don’t need my opinion.

Today, we’ve got a round up of the best third-party keyboard apps that I’ve tried out so far. I’m sure there will be more to come, but this preliminary list should help you narrow down which keyboard suits your needs. Feel free to let us know which is your favorite in the comments section.

Apps of the week: Translator Keyboard, Banner Saga, Pry, and more

Lory Gil ∙ Updated March 17, 2019

This week marks the beginning of my favorite holiday of the year, Halloween. Skeletons are hung from the front porch with care. Visions of candy corn dance in our heads. Developers add Halloween themed content to their apps and games. I can’t wait. In the meantime, if you are looking for some new apps and games to try out, we’ve got a list that we think will keep you occupied for at least a few days.

A first look at Brightkey for iOS 8

Lory Gil ∙ October 1, 2014

I’m of the philosophy that if you are going to add a third-party keyboard to your iPhone, there is no reason to waste time with boring designs. The brighter, the better. My fascination with third-party keyboards starts with how different they look than Apple’s standard one.

Brightkey for iOS 8 is just about as different as they come. It features eight different skins, including five candy-colored keyboards. I just want to eat my iPhone it’s so cute. Plus, this keyboard has one standout feature that you'll love.

Words for Evil is both an RPG and a word game combined

Lory Gil ∙ Updated January 30, 2018

Two of the things I like about a fantasy role-playing games (RPG) are looting and killing. Those are basically the best parts. Some games have even condensed their mechanics down to just those two features. What if there were a game that let you loot and kill, but you had to spell words in order to do so?

Words for Evil is just that. This iPad game combines the battle tactics of a good old-fashioned RPG with Boggle-style word finding mechanics. Find words to attack your enemy. If you are too slow, you’ll spell your own death.

The best blogging apps for iPhone and iPad

Lory Gil ∙ Updated September 2, 2020

If you participate in the digital information age through blogging, then you know how difficult it is to keep up with your daily posts. Whether you are just too busy, or don’t want to sit in front of your computer after your workday is over, writing and publishing can be a daunting task.

There are a handful of excellent mobile apps that make it easier to stay active in the blogosphere while on the go. We’ve got a list of what we think are the best blogging apps for the iPhone and iPad for you today.

A first look at TouchPal keyboard for iOS 8

Lory Gil ∙ September 27, 2014

I’ve gone through a handful of the most popular third-party keyboards for iOS 8 and each one has a little special something that makes it stand out from the rest. We’re not talking about simple color changes (although I do like those), but real functions that push them beyond the norm.

TouchPal Keyboard is another such app that promises unique functionality and delivers the goods. Whether you prefer tapping or swiping, this is a well-rounded keyboard with plenty of useful features.

Apps of the week: GIF Keyboard, Fist of Fury, Fotograf, and more

Lory Gil ∙ Updated October 13, 2018

This week could not have been worse for Apple. The company felt the heat from users with bent iPhones, bugged iOS updates, and security exploits that can directly affect OS X. I’d be three bottles deep in whiskey by now. Not really. I’m so small that three bottles of whiskey would kill me.

Thank goodness for new apps and games to distract us from a crappy week. You can dive into a story-heavy game, reorganize your life with a productivity app, or simply check out a new way to share photos. If you are looking for some kind of distraction, or maybe you just want to have a reason to play with your new iPhone, we’ve got a list of apps and games you might enjoy.