Teen Media Initiative Techies
share a sneak peak of the
Teen Apps Project
Apps reviews by teens for teens!
Want to learn about apps through informative reviews that will help you decide what apps you’d like to buy for yourself (or for your teenager, if you are a parent)? TMI Teen Techies are testing and writing reviews about apps just for teens. Reviews from a teen perspective on games, educational apps, silly and fun apps, serious apps and more.
Don’t hesitate to contact us if you’d like more information on a specific app that you read about here, we’d love to chat with you! If you are a teenager who is interested in joining the Teen Apps blog team to review apps, please contact the TMI Program Coordinator: tmicoordinator@insideoutca.org
Special thanks to Teen Apps creator, marketing business owner and TMI Guest Instructor, Cecilia Najar! www.velocitybusiness.net
Stay tuned for the 2011 launch of the official Teen Apps website. For now, here’s a sampling of Teen Apps Reviews. Techie rating system is 1-5 (1 being the worst and 5 the best)
How Stuff Works
Version 1.0.2
Function: Entertainment
$0.99
Developer: HowStuffWorks.com
File Size: 12.6 MB
Date: December 12, 2010
Rating: ***** 5 stars, a perfect rating!
Techie: Khadijah
HowStuffWorks.com is a website that teachers you…how stuff works! I’m a knowledge enthusiast and I love to learn whatever I can…about anything I can. This app puts all of the knowledge of that website right on your iPod/iPhone. You can go through the articles or the videos and learn about almost anything thats on your mind. The app is very organized and self explanatory, which it’s mission to help you understand how things work. Some things aren’t even conventional wisdom or something you’d want to learn, except if you wanted to learn random bits of information to throw at your friends. Overall, I thought this app was very good for its function. The only complaint would be how you MUST have wi-fi for the app or else when you open it it turns right back off. I found this slightly annoying…but only slightly annoying. I still liked the app enough to give it five stars.
Plants vs. Zombies
Version 1.3
Tower Defense Game
$2.99
PopCap Games
Reviewed by Techie Daniel
43.0 MB
Rating: ***** 5 stars, a perfect rating!
On any normal day, I’d hate fighting off hordes of zombies with plants. But when the plants are some kinda mutant plants that have unique power, well then that becomes a different story. There have been many tower defense games that I’ve played in my days, but nothing quite like this game: PLANTS VS. ZOMBIES!! This game kept me entertained all the way to the end! I just couldn’t find the time to put it down!
In this game, you are a homeowner who needs to protect your home (and brains) from being taken by the relentless zombies. They do all they can to get in. They wear buckets and cones on their heads for protection, they ride dolphins and wear inner tubes to cross your pool, they even bungee jump onto your roof! With the help of your crazy neighbor, Crazy Dave, you have to plant plants on your property to save your brains from the hungry zombies!
One thing I loved about this game is that it doesn’t take long to learn how to play and is highly addictive. You get something new after completing a level, such as notes from the zombies, so it keeps things interesting. On a side note, Popcap did a wonderful job of making an almanac for the zombies and plants, giving all of them their own personalities.
I would highly recommend this game. Even if you’re not a big fan of tower defense games, the graphics and zombies (and crazy Dave) are enough to draw you in. A must have for your iOS device!
Updated: 12/6/10
Pandora Radio
Version: 3.1.5
Entertainment, Music
Price: Free
3.9 MB
Pandora Media, Inc.
App Posted: November 16, 2010
Reviewed: December 6, 2010
Reviewed by Teen Apps Blogger Eric
Techie Rating: **** 4 out of 5 stars
Pandora Radio is a personalized web based radio application for the iPod Touch, iPad and iPhone. It allows you to stream just about any artist. Just type in the name of your favorite artist or song, and Pandora will create a personalize station just for you! Depending on the rating you give the artist or song, thumbs up or down, Pandora will start recognizing your personal taste in music. The more Pandora recognizes your taste in music, the more it will recommend similar artists.
Best of all this application is free for these devices iPod Touch, iPad and iPhone. Works just like the iPod application on an iPod touch or iPhone. Pandora also allows you to upgrade within the application to Pandora ONE. Pandora ONE allows you to enjoy your music ad-free for only $36 per year. For a free experience, all you need to do is create an account with Pandora. Pandora also allows you to stream their music on a computer along with Apple mobile devices. Pandora Radio is by far the best free radio application for Apple mobile devices. Not only because it is free, but because of its huge music selection. Works on Wi-Fi, 3G and edge (Wi-Fi or 3G is recommended).
Pros and Cons:
Pro- The application is free, and it is very easy to use, works just like the iPod application on an iPod touch or iPhone.
Con: Only allows you to skip songs 6 times.
Mirror in your pocket for FREE
Version 1.6.1
Function: Lifestyle
FREE
Developer: Nico Balina
File Size: 5.6 MB
Released: November 23, 2010
Reviewed by Techie Khadijah
Review Date: November 29, 2010
Rating: * only 1 lonely star
I was tempted to give this app NO stars, but that isn’t an option here at Teen Apps. Therefore, I’m going with the next best thing: 1 star. Where to begin? This app is free, but even for a free app it’s a rip off. Now I suspicious of this at first, as I wasn’t sure how an iPod could magically become a mirror.
Turns out my suspicions were correct: This app literally turned your screen black with a little frame around it. The result is exactly what you would get if you put the lock screen on your iPod, minus the frame. Needless to say, a complete waste of a download.
