Review

DeskConnect review: how to share files between all of your devices

Lory Gil ∙ Updated March 14, 2018

These days, it is fairly easy to share things with other devices through cloud storage. However, those services are usually limited in size. Plus, it takes a few steps to grab a file, save it to a cloud storage app, then go to another device, open the cloud storage app, find the file, and download it.

DeskConnect makes it possible to easily share all kinds of media across multiple devices without having to save it in the cloud first. There are no limits on number of devices, storage capacity, or file type. Just drag-and-drop and you’re ready to go…

Pure Chess review: skeuomorphism is back in this traditional game

Lory Gil ∙ Updated May 16, 2018

Chess is about a thousand years old. It has undergone only minimal changes to become the board game that it is today. It is played around the world and has even had tomes written about it.

Pure Chess is a new app that features the ancient game. It is designed with hyper-realism, but surprisingly still looks compatible with iOS 7’s anti-skeuomophic theme...

Kordl 2 prevents tangled earbud frustration

Jim Gresham ∙ Updated March 19, 2019

In a post earlier this year, I highlighted the original Kordl, which promised to tangle-proof earbuds. After my initial review, I found, quite surprisingly, the little thumbnail size of plastic works very well. One of the largest setbacks for the original Kordl was the attachment mechanism and how the earbud wires were held.

To enhance an already impressive design, J2 Product Development set out to make a better version and reinvent the proverbial wheel. Back in action and fresh off a 250% funding spree on Kickstarter, Kordl 2 is the new way to keep tangles to a minimum. Take a look below for a snapshot of the enhancements and a brief on the simple design...

Learn how to speed read with Syllable

Lory Gil ∙ Updated January 23, 2018

Subvocalization is the act of “sounding out” words as you read them. Nearly everyone does it. It happens on a subconscious level. It is how we were taught to read and makes it possible to visualize the sound of words in order to interpret and comprehend them.

Syllable is an app that trains you to stop subvocalizing so you can read faster. It starts you off at a slow, comfortable pace, and works you up to 1,500 words per minute. You’ll be able to read an entire book during your lunch break with the help of this app…

Blackbar review: a text-based adventure that is missing the text

Lory Gil ∙ Updated April 13, 2018

You type, “Get ye flask.” The game responds, “You cannot get ye flask.” Sound familiar? Then you know a little something about old school text-based adventures. It was always so difficult to figure out the correct way to type an action.

Blackbar is a text-based story that requires a similar activity. Only, instead of trying to command the character to perform an action, you must find the correct word to fill in the blank…

Abyss Attack review: a traditional vertical shooter game

Lory Gil ∙ Updated March 14, 2018

A few days ago, I told you about the vertical shoot-em-up (shmup) game M.A.C.E. As a follow up for fans of games like the Raiden series of long ago, we’ve got another vertical shmup for you, only this time it’s underwater.

Raiden takes place on the ground, M.A.C.E. takes place in space, and Abyss Attack takes place in the dark recesses of deep sea…

HiRise: iPhone’s new throne pedestal by Twelve South

Jim Gresham ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

A couple weeks ago, we highlighted the launch of Twelve South's newest accessory, the HiRise for iPhone 5 and iPad mini. I was able to finally get my hands on one and can report the excitement is worth the hype. For those new to the Twelve South scene, the company is a premium and Apple exclusive accessory maker, made famous for simple and elegant products like the iPhone SurfacePad, BookBook case, and BookArc.

Humbly setting a company goal to launch 12 Mac accessories each year, each new item is focused on design and function. Often, the elegance and intricacies of Twelve South products are found in the smallest of details, which often make the user experience even more enjoyable.

The HiRise for iPhone is no exception to the quality build and functional design of the product line. The HiRise for iMac or for MacBook Pro are popular items and the ported design easily conforms to iPhone 5 and iPad mini. With a small footprint, the newest HiRise is an excellent desktop companion...

Radium review: a beautiful internet radio player

Lory Gil ∙ Updated December 4, 2013

I’ve always wondered why Apple doesn’t include a radio feature with its iOS devices. You can download millions of songs, listen to hundreds of thousands of podcasts, and even fill your iTunes library with as many audio books as your device will fit. But if you want to listen to the radio, you’ll have to download a third-party app.

Radium is an Internet radio app that features more than 8,000 stations across the globe. Additionally, you can save your favorite stations and sync them through iCloud to your Mac Radium app...

Pixel Gun 3D review: now with worldwide multiplayer mode

Lory Gil ∙ Updated January 24, 2016

PixelGun 3D has been hovering around the top spot for paid apps for a while now. Maybe it’s because it comes with a custom skin maker for Minecraft. Maybe because it has that retro pixel look that old school gamers go gaga over.

It could also be because the game, now called Pixel Gun 3D, is actually a good first-person shooter game that fans of the genre will enjoy…

CARROT Alarm review: waking up just got a bit creepy

Lory Gil ∙ Updated December 4, 2013

It is hard to think of a time, other than the morning of a Disneyland trip, that I’ve ever been excited to wake up to my alarm. No matter how pleasant, the morning alarm is little more than a reminder that sleep is over.

CARROT Alarm is the first alarm clock I’ve ever wanted to hear. I was so excited to find out what CARROT had for me each morning that I even woke up before my scheduled time just to hear her voice…

FLIP remixes your photos into original grid based collages

Lory Gil ∙ Updated January 23, 2018

Sure, you can add layers and filters and frames and tilt-shifts to your pictures in order to make them look interesting and poignant. But, most apps don’t let you cut pictures up, move things around, and turn them upside down.

FLIP is a photo effects app that cuts your images into strips and squares and puts them back together with fascinating results…

Dispatch review: a productive way to get to inbox zero

Lory Gil ∙ Updated February 21, 2018

Email client apps are all the rage this season. There have been some amazing developments in the functionality that is offered from various electronic correspondence apps.

Dispatch: Action-Based Email is an app that, at its simplest, is great at helping you quickly empty your inbox without having to worry about too many choices…