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The iPad is a perfect device for taking and sharing notes. There are dozens of apps available that provide this exact functionality, so ClassMateLite is only one of many options in a very crowded field. This is partially what makes it so hard to recommend the app as a viable solution for note taking. The app is designed to look and feel like a notebook, but the actual interface consists almost entirely of large, often stretched buttons, an awkward text input and blocky instructions.

While the app has only a handful of features, it took us some time to find … Read more

Taking its cue from those arcade video games from the '80s and '90s, Third Blade modernizes the approach for the App Store audience to great effect. Built on classic mechanics and featuring plenty of weapon upgrades, enemy stomping and combos, Third Blade is both intrinsically pleasing as far as game design goes and slightly frustrating due to its still-not-updated graphics, suspect Free/Paid model and garbled story.

The game is simple enough. Cut scenes feature animated characters decked out in weaponry traversing the world, fighting off worm-like creatures. The game itself is a classic side-scrolling beat-em up. You tap the … Read more

Although it's possible, configuring daemon by editing its PLIST file can seem obscure, and reading all the documentation can by overwhelming. To save you the trouble, LaunchControl for Mac lets you access all the documented p-list keys and apply them with relative ease. All the rules come with a clear explanation of their effect and expected values.

With LaunchControl for Mac you can use either an abstracted, more graphical interface or toggle on the expert mode, which will then let you see a more familiar PLIST editor to directly edit values for each item. The selected action will then … Read more

People who are disappointed in the Google Maps Internet interface might want alternatives for viewing maps online. eMaps for Mac allows you to operate a different interface, although the lack of any additional features ultimately makes the program unnecessary.

Available as a free trial version, there is an option to buy eMaps for Mac for $10. The trial version had no noticeable limits. The program's small size led to a quick download and, while there was no native installer, it did initiate and start quickly. There were no instructions or support readily apparent. The interface has an intuitive design … Read more

A camera integrated with the iPhone makes it a perfect tool for facial recognition and analysis tools, and as the power of the iPhone's camera has increased, so, too, have the number of functions available. Face Analyzer is an app that claims to offer a basic analysis of a child's face when his or her picture is taken with the iPhone's built-in camera. The setup and use of the app is fairly straightforward, but the actual purpose and presentation of results can be confusing based on the initial description of the app.

To start, analysis takes some … Read more

Contrary to what the name implies, this game isn't a side-scrolling running game. Instead, you'll take control of Pomo, a supersmart puppy who is trying to return a lost compass to his owner. Puppy Run is a pretty easy puzzle game, but its cute graphics and loads of levels should be enough to keep a lot of players happy.

The paid version of the game offers 100 levels. There is a free version with significantly fewer levels, but all of the fun and no ads. In Puppy Run, you'll use and sometimes dodge obstacles to help you … Read more

The wildly successful Temple Run has naturally started spawning dozens of rip-offs. This one doesn't sport the same amazing graphics, but it's certainly no slouch. Panda Run has a cuter mascot, good graphics, and very smooth gameplay. Temple Run fans are sure to enjoy it almost as much.

The game turns you into a cute little panda dressed for a fun day of running along a nicely animated path. You swipe on your screen and tilt your phone in various directions to dodge obstacles and collect stones. The game doesn't work in portrait mode, sadly. Its landscape … Read more

It's official: tower defense games aren't just about defending towers any more. Fish vs Pirates has your cute army of good fish warding off an equally cute army of bad fish. It obviously borrows from fan-favorite Plants vs. Zombies, but doesn't quite capture the fun of that game. It's still adorable, though.

The game starts with a few levels so easy that you'll probably be annoyed playing them. These act as tutorials but are mind-numbingly boring. Fish vs Pirates often makes the crucial mistake of spawning enemies too slowly, so you're watching the game … Read more

You can't always get your buddies around the table to play cards. In that case, drop this app on your smartphone for a full Texas Hold 'Em experience. DH Texas Poker lets you challenge your friends, the computer, or people from all over the world to a game. It moves a little more slowly than some other Poker apps, but the competition can be fierce.

The game lets you play as a guest, but you have to register to unlock the best experience. You can sign up with the developer to track your performance across all of its games, … Read more