Innovative new phone apps like Meme Machine make the process of creating your own meme pictures and videos so simple that literally anyone can do it.
Nobody can really claim to know or understand every single meme that exists, and that’s kind of the point. They’re extremely varied and often personal to the individuals creating them. Even if some memes seem hard to understand, chances are you’ve come across at least one over the years that has made sense to you. Meme videos and pictures are used to portray a particular concept or idea. They don’t usually contain lots of text, but the text and image together can portray how we think or feel about something specific.
http://mememachine.co.uk/ Meme Machine – the easy way to create video memes and share them with the world. #mememachine https://www.facebook.com/mememachinea…
Meme pictures and videos have become an integral part of how we as a culture share different ideas and opinions. It doesn’t matter if you’re a casual social media user or an internet marketing guru, you have probably shared a meme at some point in order to convey your thoughts on social media. At the very least, you’ve seen at least one meme before when scrolling through your Facebook or Twitter feed. However, something you might not know is that memes are extremely easy to create and use![sc name=”quote” text=”The Meme Machine iPhone application features an advanced video editor engine unlike any other”]
In previous years, those wanting to make their own meme images would need to search the web for images before putting them into Photoshop or other web-based image editors before adding in their desired text. Making video memes was an even more difficult task as it required users to install and use video editing software via their computers or phones. The Meme Machine iPhone application features an advanced video editor engine unlike any other, allowing users to instantly add video footage, graphics, text, emoji’s and motion track them to the movement of their favorite video memes.
As memes continue to dominated social platforms like Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, the methods for making them has also become easier and more user-friendly. Although the app’s appearance leaves something to be desired, Meme Machine is a simple application that allows a user to create, edit and share their video or image meme with friends and family on a variety of social media platforms.
The app was created with one simple goal in mind: To disrupt the way people share their favorite videos with the world. In the past, users have had to deal with software and content-management systems that came with huge limitations and steep learning curves. Nowadays, creating the next hot viral video and quickly sharing it with the world can be done with just a bit of your time and a few swipes on your iPhone! Similar to how an emoji can be used to convey your mood or emotion, memes created with Meme Machine can take a complex idea or state of mind and portray it much faster than typing it in pure text form.
iClassics Productions is a start-up digital publisher based in Barcelona, which, over the past two years, has built up a collection of “Immersive reading” apps. Although based in Spain, their biggest market is North America, given that they are frequently featured on the iTunes AppStore and that their literature is from the Anglosphere’s literary canon.
They currently have nine volumes (apps) in total, predominantly taking works from the macabre, gothic and horror genres, with authors Edgar Allan Poe, H.P. Lovecraft and Charles Dickens being particularly prominent.
What is an “immersive reading app”?
iClassics Productions is proud to boast that it does not alter the original text of the classic stories they feature in their apps, but simply enrich the reading experience with wholly original illustrations, graphics, animations, interactive elements and an original soundtrack and sound effects. A typical application from iClassics Productions contains between 3-4 short stories of the author. For example, iPoe Vol.1 (Edgar Allan Poe) contains The Oval Portrait, The Tell-Tale Heart, Annabel Lee and The Mask of the Red Death. All apps released by iClassics Productions contain the original text in four languages: English, French, Spanish and Portuguese. All apps are also available on the iTunes AppStore, Google Play and Amazon.
They have now created their most ambitious, cinematic and animated app to date: The Interactive Legend of Sleepy Hollow, whose release (October 13, 2016) was perfectly timed for the Halloween season.
This app contains only one, larger story: Washington Irving’s classic and quintessentially American Halloween tale: The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.
In iClassics Productions’ older apps, there was an over-dependence on moveable objects and elements. However, this app feels like more like a stable bridge between the cinematic and the literary, with far greater quality animations than in previous editions, and a highly effective and ambient soundtrack. However, there could still be a reduction of the sometimes needlessly moveable objects (shovels, maps, compasses, etc.)
A major strength of this app is the sheer quality of the illustrations, which is highly artistic. There is also a seamless synthesis with such illustrations with the animated elements. In comparison to previous apps by iClassics Productions, the text also seems to be more integrated with, and immersed in, the story, with effective and layered transitions.
However, although the text is more integrated with the story than in older apps, there is still room for greater integration. For example, rather than just layering the text with the objects and sets of a particular scene, it could be interesting to have the text appear from an element within the scene (an envelope, for example).
There was a lot of buzz around interactive storytelling apps when the iPad was released. However, many fell by the wayside due to excessive and gimmicky features. This app, like their other apps, is different. Indeed, given the high quality of the visual elements and illustrations, the whole package reads, feels and looks like a fusion of the literary and textual arts, all made possible with modern technology and mobile devices.
Another positive to the app is the handy “page memory” feature, which basically means that you can exit the app at any moment, and go back to the same page as soon as you re-open the app. You can also change the language at any time, and it will quickly and automatically change the language on the page you are currently at. This is a very handy feature for this particular app, given the relative length of the story.
All in all, The Interactive Legend of Sleepy Hollow is a high-quality, sophisticated reading experience, and it is evident that there is a lot of talent and creativity behind iClassics Productions. It is also one of few quality apps available on the market that can be considered as being tailored for the Halloween season.
iClassics Productions’ apps are usually $4.99USD. However, The Interactive Legend of Sleepy Hollow currently has a special release price of just $2.99, which is a steal when you consider the length of the story and the quality of the production.
Not being dependent on gore or shock like iPoe and iLovecraft, this app is a perfect retelling of a fun Halloween classic, suitable for the whole family as an alternative way of reading this short but classic gem of the American literary canon.
I personally rarely use personal assistant applications – I never ever used Siri unless I was forced to do so. DataBot, however, was a nice surprise for me, although it is somewhat similar to our good old assisting iPhone app. It is practical, smart, quick, and, above all, it is a multi-platform app, enabling me to synchronize even my PC-iPhone connection.
First of all, I must admit that I downloaded this app to use its question+answer function. DataBot is able to answer questions about famous historical personalities, which was a nice feature, when I was setting up a quizzie for kids. What I did was simply for fun: I put questions in speech to the assistant and waited for the answer. It worked quite well, and I started realizing that DataBot is not a joke. (Although, it is able to tell you some…)
After fulfilling the needs of the kid inside me, I started to have DataBot to do some serious jobs for me. I set up alarms, then started using it for setting up presentations, since this function worked incredibly well on my iPhone – differently from the other software for the same function.
It took only a few days to realize that the application can very well be synced to my PC, so there are a plenty of things which I could manage desktop. This is an incredibly useful feature of this app: I can manage my most important things – notes, appointments, contacts – from every surfaces which are available for you. Unlike Google programs, you can easily avoid unintentional sharing of sensitive data.
DataBot the virtual talking robot at your service, Demo Video (Windows Phone, Android). Get it on Android: http://goo.gl/AdLZAv Get it on iOS: https://goo.gl/qxA0sq Get it on Windows 10: https://goo.gl/rnEcCW Get it on Windows Phone: http://goo.gl/IPz4on
Apart from being a nice mobile diary, DataBot can manage social media accounts and emails. If you use it, it is able to extract practical data from your e-mails, and able to record your answers together with the related searching information, and many other data. This was the point, when I decided to keep this app forever. This, the creation of different summary pages, is a very important thing for anyone who is like me and has tons of notebooks, yet keeps forgetting the important tasks.
Voice activation is also a very useful feature, which enabled me to work even late at night, when had difficulties in keeping awake and write, but needed to work on one of my presentation. I simply started walking to keep my brain functioning, and dictated my thoughts to the system. This was better, than having a Dictaphone with me – since I saw my text in a written form.
When it comes to languages, this iPhone app has very nice features too. It functions as a fully capable dictionary with a strong thesaurus, being able to provide not only meaning, but also synonyms of a world. I must say it is a godsend for non-English native academic, since the service is quick and punctual.
Although I started to use this application as a joke, I would recommend this program to anyone who deals with serious things, and has complex tasks to complete in short times. The simple, fast, voice activated features of the app improve your productivity when you are sitting at your desk under pressure of deadlines and fight an endless battle with your own thoughts.
The only criticism I can make is, funnily, that it simply capable of a bit too much. I personally do not like that it provides a lot of temptation to procrastination – its jokes module is even able to tell you silly stories on demand. The great RSS module brings the most important news to your hands, and the ability to chat with the assistant is fantastic, not to mention daily horoscope and a bunch of other similar features. Nevertheless, this multifunctional thing is a bit far-fetched for me.
Despite of being a professional procrastinator, I would recommend you to use DataBot and upgrade your iPhone experience to the next level. Be diligent, and do not be misled by these cool features, and there won’t be any problems.
Pulling the perfect prank requires careful planning, precise execution, and flawless timing. A quality prank is basically a balancing act in which you have to make sure that the prank remains funny and original without becoming harsh or hurtful. If you’re running out of ideas, these apps will give you a creative boost for your next mischievous prank.
Prankster – Hilarious Prank Calls
Downloading Prankster – Hilarious Prank Calls is a free of charge app, though it employs a coin system, meaning if you run out of the free calls you start out with, or you don’t have the patience to wait until the free coins you get each day add up to the desired amount, you have no other choice but to make an in-app purchase. Prices are not out-of-this world, with every level of in-app purchase the price of call goes down. For $4.99 gets you 100 coins, which amounts to 19 calls, plenty enough for even the biggest pranksters around. Using the app is easy as making crazy faces is for Jim Carrey. Select a scenario (such as “Why you called my girlfriend?!”, “You hit my car!”, “Annoying kid”, “Found your dog”, and a call from a committee for driving like a jerk), choose or dial a phone number, then let hilarity ensue. Your calls are saved to a separate folder within the app, and you can listen to them or share them via several apps anytime.
Call Voice Changer
Call Voice Changer has been downloaded by more than 8,000,000 pranksters worldwide, and thanks to a recent update, it’s been seriously spruced up to provide even more pranking ammo for the jokesters of the world. Call Voice Changer employs a minutes system that is the equivalent of Prand Call Dial’s coin solution. Upon downloading Call Voice Changer, you’ll get a handful of minutes you can use for pranks, and when you run out of them, you have to make an in-app purchase. Options are aplenty, so you’ll certainly find the package you are looking for. As for the app’s features, it changes the pitch of your voice as you’re making the call, and also allows you to add real-time sound effects, sound bites in foreign languages, and many more.
Remote Mouse
This one is definitely not a traditional prank app, but thinking outside the box is one of the most crucial characteristics of seen-it-all pranksters. As its name suggests, the app turns your iPhone, iPad or Apple Watch into a remote mouse for a Mac or a PC, which includes a fully simulated mouse with a Magic Trackpad and multi-touch gestures. For wallet-friendly additional fees, you’ll also get a keyboard, a media remote, a Spotify remote, image transfer, application launcher and switcher, and, to put the icing on the cake of endless pranking possibilities, the option to shut down, sleep, restart or log off remotely. The tricky part is that in order to make the app work, you have to download and install Remote Mouse’s server on the prankee’s computer, but we’re sure you’ll figure that out.
Remote Mouse turns your mobile phone or tablet into a wireless user-friendly remote control for your computer. It’ll surprise you with fully simulated touchpad, keyboard and featured remote panels which make your remote experience simple and efficient. Giving a presentation? Or watching an online movie? We make it dead easy to control your PC/Mac!
iFool
iFool is a multifaceted pranking companion that allows you to pull off an amazing assortment of customizable pranks. It has 14 pre-made tricks, 60 images, and 47 sounds, and by purchasing the iFool Plus option for $0.99, you can extend your basic collection with 35 pre-made tricks, 150 images, and 77 sounds. If that’s still not enough for you, a trio of in-app purchases available for the same $0.99 per piece will bring you even more fun. IFool is built on actions – i.e. what you want iFool to do (display an image, play a sound, pop popcorn, and many more), and switches, with which you can tell iFool when to perform an action, e.g. when someone taps on the screen, moves the device, or after a timer runs out. You can also create complex pranks, so the options are only limited by the extent of your creativity.
Copywriter, poet, lyricist, journalist, social media and online marketing specialist, translator. Lives in Budapest, Hungary, but a Clevelander at heart. Established in 1987.
If you’re an avid paranormal investigator roaming haunted houses, dilapidated cemeteries, and ominous, abandoned psychiatric wards in search of spirits prowling around our realm, there’s no need for you to carry around an arsenal of ghost hunting tools when setting out for spooky adventures – just pack your iPhone, and download these scary good ghost hunting apps. And always be very, very careful!
Ghost Hunter M2
Ghost Hunter M2 was developed by professional engineers, and is said to be the most advanced paranormal investigation toolkit in all known and unknown universes. Ghost Hunter M2 features an EMF instrument measuring magnetic fluctuations with the magnetometer of your Apple device, an Audio Detection Instrument and a Fast Fourier Transform Visualizer analyzing complex audio signals (meaning other-worldly shrieks sending shivers down your spine), a Geoscope magnifying terrainial and sub-terrainial fluctuations so that you can spot zombies trying to sneak attack you by bursting out of their grave, a Spatial Displacement Instrument analyzing the data flowing in from the assortment of the app’s electro-mechanical sensors, a Twilight Instrument turning your Apple device’s camera into an all-seeing eye, an EVP (Electronic Voice Phenomena) Instrument delivering bone-chilling spirit voices in both audio and visual format, a Luxscope capable of measuring the most minute changes in the environment’s illuminance, and a Barometer. It very much seems like we’ve kicked things off at the top of the heap, because Ghost Hunter M2 is the undisputed non plus ultra of paranormal investigation toolkits, all the while costing only 99 cents.
Ghost Radar: Legacy
Ghost Radar: Legacy is a spruced up, refined version of Ghost Radar: Classic, a straightforward paranormal app with a simple, functional design. Ghost Radar: Legacy does what its predecessor did: it detects paranormal activity by gathering and analyzing a wide range of data – though it performs its manifold functions at a much higher level, with greater efficiency and precision, and with more style thanks to the fully revamped interface. Ghost Radar: Legacy is capable of translating energy into graphics, words, numeric values, and radar indicators, ensuring that no nearby spirit will slip away unseen. Based on the reviews we’ve read on the AppStore, being daring and curious might uncover bone-chilling secrets – but those secrets are the exact sources of the ecstatic terror each and every paranormal investigator is yearning for. Or maybe most of those reviews are nothing more than clever marketing tricks, who knows. When it comes to ghosts, the answer is never clear.
Demon Detector
Demon Detector differentiates itself from the rest of the field mostly with its name – when you hear demon, you associate it with something much more malevolent and beastly than your average run-of-the-mill ghost. Demon Detector makes use of the sensors built into your Apple device, translating signs of paranormal activity into easy-to-read text, while also displaying electromagnetic anomalies. Demon Detector might be similar to both Ghost Hunger: M2 and Ghost Radar: Legacy, but boasts an undeniably catchy name, and the more investigation tools you use, the better your chances of finding what you’re looking for will be. Keep in mind, though, that finding what you’re looking for is always a perilous proposition, especially when in the frightening case of spirits and demons…
Copywriter, poet, lyricist, journalist, social media and online marketing specialist, translator. Lives in Budapest, Hungary, but a Clevelander at heart. Established in 1987.
In the past decade, technology has fundamentally transformed how most of us consume and discover media. The rise of services like Netflix, Hulu, YouTube, Pandora, and Spotify, along with the development of smartphones, DVR, and social media, have changed the way that we discover and consume movies, television, and music. It has become a consumer-driven world.
Of all the forms of media, standup comedy has yet to be brought into the twenty-first century. As company founder Dave Scott points out, three decades ago, comedy albums made up 20 percent of the total albums sold in the United States. But while music albums have become available on streaming platforms, only 10 percent of comedy albums are available for streaming, leaving a big void for comedy fans. Worse, this comedy is spread across an ever-increasing number of services and platforms, making it even more difficult, and overwhelming, to keep track of the best and funniest content.
But that’s where Laugh.ly comes into play, aggregating the best content and making it available to consumers in one place. Available for both iOS and Android, the Laugh.ly app provides unlimited streaming access to a catalog of over 400 comedians and over 20,000 standup tracks right to your smartphone or browser.
The number of comedians that the company has managed to pull together for the app is impressive. Every corner of the comedy world is represented, from old legends that your grandparents would love like Shelley Berman and Bob Newhart, to popular comedians like Louis CK, Amy Schumer, and Aziz Ansari, and everyone in between.
What’s most notable about Laugh.ly is just how flexible the app can be. If you know exactly what comedian you want to listen to, just use the search functionality and you’re ready to go. Just want some quick laughs on the way to work? Click ‘Surprise Me’ and let the journey take you where it may. Want a more curated approach? Take a listen to one of Laugh.ly’s expertly curated themed playlists or genre channels.
At Laugh.ly, we believe in the power of a good joke to speak to you in a way that nothing else can. That’s why we have 400+ of the top comedians and their best jokes, plus curated playlists personalized to your unique taste. How do we do it?
Abiding by its mission to deliver ‘comedy your way,’ the app also provides users the option to eliminate ads by upgrading to ‘Reserved Seating,’ for only $3.99 a month. In addition to eliminating ads, users will receive profanity filters and Laugh.ly exclusive content. Considering the lineup Laugh.ly has managed to put together already, it wouldn’t be surprising see some tremendous content emerge on the platform.
Comedy has proven to be a big draw for companies seeking to enter the digital media space. As such, there are many competitors. But considering Laugh.ly’s impressive selection, its ability to curate content, and its flexibility in providing ‘Comedy Your Way,’ Laugh.ly is well on its way to bringing standup comedy into the twenty-first century.
If you enjoy fooling around with pics you’ve snapped on your iPhone, you’ll love these apps. These were developed by PiVi & Co and can be found on all time top lists for a reason. The best thing that the resulting pictures are very realistic – with a twist.
Instantly gain weight with this app that allows you to see what you’d look like if you were fat. I bet no more sugar in your coffee. If you are looking for enemies, just convert their photos with this app, the result will be phenomenal. There are more fatness levels for dedicated fat makers.
Want to see what you’ll look like when you’re old? Use this app to find out. It works so well that my processed photo exactly looks like my granddaddy. Just shake your phone to convert a photo and be 40 years older – excellent photo for your social profiles…
Lose your hair – at least in a photo. I hate this app so much that I can’t stop using it. I don’t know why but one of my worst fear is losing my hair. It is so terrible to see my photos converted with this app, I will have a nightmare, guaranteed!
This is simply funny. Test your face with different mustache styles. How different one can be just from such a small change. Maybe you will love your funny photo so much that you start growing a mustache.
The 85th Academy Awards will be hosted by animated funny guy Seth MacFarlane, and between the red carpet and the ceremony, you’ll want a second screen device to amplify the experience. While prepping for an evening filled with hurried acceptance speeches and fabulous (and disastrous!) dresses, we’ve nominated these five mobile apps to be by […]
The 85th Academy Awards will be hosted by animated funny guy Seth MacFarlane, and between the red carpet and the ceremony, you’ll want a second screen device to amplify the experience. While prepping for an evening filled with hurried acceptance speeches and fabulous (and disastrous!) dresses, we’ve nominated these five mobile apps to be by your side.
Taking home the top prize for the best Academy Awards-based mobile is official Oscars app, published by ABC Digital. Talk about Hollywood patting itself on the back! Jokes aside, Oscars is a treasure chest of pop culture and in a category all its own. Through the application you can read up on nominees, view photos, and watch trailers and video clips. It also features an Oscars countdown and the interactive MyPicks, so you and your friends can predict 2013’s winners. The Backstage Pass clues you into interviews behind the scenes, including backstage and on the red carpet. You never know when a celebrity will say something outrageous, so definitely download this free app.
Trust us when we say that you and E! Online’s Live from the Red Carpet should be best friends this awards season. The news and photo feeds feature stories in retrospect, print and video interviews with celebrities on their outfit choices, and Extras, including shorthand bullet-point lists of this year’s nominees and every category. Sure, it has amazing coverage of the Academy Awards, but the app also covers the Grammys, SAG Awards, Sundance, Golden Globes and the Emmys. This way, you’ll get to check out celebrity fashions from that rare breed of entertainer capable of winning all the major awards.
With less than a week left until the razzle-dazzle of the Academy Awards, The Hollywood Reporter’s Oscars-centric mobile app is for students of film. The Race to the Oscars will feature live coverage starting on February 24th, an aggregated feed of notable Twitter accounts (including film critics Roger Ebert and Leonard Maltin), and a digestible mobile version of The Race Blog, which provides amazing movie news and commentary.
File the Netflix mobile app under no duh. Of course, you cannot watch 2013’s movie nominees in the subscription-based movie streaming service just yet, but they’ve created a genre for “Oscar-winning Movies.” Currently this category promotes over 65 films, including last year’s Best Picture The Artist, The King’s Speech, Lost in Translation, Good Will Hunting, Out of Africa, and Platoon. If you you’ve missed the boat on watching all the nominations for best picture for this year, you might as well concede and dive into former greats.
Frequency is a leader in aggregating video content from online channels and social networks. Available only for owners of Apple devices, the app streamlines the online experience by letting users build custom lists of video channels. You can add channels to your favorites, which include one specific to the Oscars, and others focusing on movies: Slash Film, Beyond the Trailer, and Criterion Collection. Additionally, amateur fashionistas looking forward to the red carpet might catch a glimpse of stylish dresses from the likes of Fashion TV, Nylon, and Fashion Net.
Honorable Mentions
SnagFilms (iOS, Android Free) is for lovers of documentaries and indie films. The movies that take a lot of heart to make, that might not get as much popular exposure through the usual media channels. Awards Hero: Oscars (Free) (iOS-only) is a great free app for anyone who obsesses over Hollywood’s prized awards show jewel. What sets it apart? You get similar content as with Oscars, but through Awards Hero you can create voting pools for wagers with coworkers and friends.
Stephen Danos is the Associate Editor for appoLearning.com, AndroidApps.com, and Appolicious. He has contributed to articles published on TechCrunch, The Chicago Sun Times, The Chicago Tribune, and elsewhere.
He received his BA in English from the University of Iowa and MFA in Creative Writing from Columbia College Chicago. He is the author of two poetry chapbooks, Playhouse State (H_NGM_N Books, 2012) and Gravitational (The New Megaphone, forthcoming).
Warwick Davis’ collaborative involvement with creator Matmi and producer Offficial in the development of PocketWarwick, a Tamagotchi-style simulation game, is the impetus for this interview.
Despite WiFi connectivity issues and a Skype credit drought, I had the great pleasure of talking with the ever-pleasant Warwick Davis.
For the uninitiated, Davis is a British actor who played memorable characters in the Harry Potter films, Star Wars, Willow, and stars in the tremendously successful HBO series Life’s Too Short. Warwick’s collaborative involvement with creator Matmi and producer Offficial in the development of PocketWarwick, a Tamagotchi-style simulation game, is the impetus for this interview.
What makes this game stand out from others? In it you get to take care of a digital version of Warwick. You assist him in finding acting gigs, dress him in costumes, winning awards, and buy luxurious items as he lands more roles.
Here is what Davis has to say about the game, his favorite apps to drink to, and his love of all things Apple.
APPOLICIOUS: Provide a little background about PocketWarwick’s origins. What led you to develop your own app?
WARWICK DAVIS: I’ve had a smartphone for a number of years now, and I’m a big fan of gadgets in general. I think I own every model of Mac Apple has ever made. I don’t seem to get rid of them and look after them meticulously.
These days, we live with our phones all the time. In my acting career, I find that developing my own projects is very fulfilling. I was interested in creating a game about the world of acting, while balancing life with work and the money coming in. That was kind of the birth of PocketWarwick.
APPO: How hands-on are/were you in the app development process?
WD: Very. I was able to push the folks at Matmi and Offficial, but they were working simultaneously. Originally I wanted a two-dimensional animated game. However, the developers wanted a two-dimensional face on a three-dimensional body. I learned that developing a game is very different than a movie… when you release a game it doesn’t have to be the end. You can add updates and features. I’ll continue to give input on the range of outfits that can be purchased using the in-game currency system. Since the game exists in parallel with my real life, versions of costumes from upcoming roles of mine will show up in future updates.
In terms of what I wanted for the game, I knew the experience couldn’t be shallow. I personally wrote over 350 parody film titles and synopsis that exist inside the game. When the agent offers auditions, you can have a laugh. Some of them sound so interesting that I might end up making them! I can access the database of titles and have been thinking about Twitter competitions where fans make up their own funny titles that we can add to the game.
What amazes me about the process is the length of time it takes. Fifteen people work on the game full-time. I watch them work and think about how people moan about the price of games. 40 pounds for a PlayStation game or whatever, they don’t really know the effort that goes into this process.
APPO: What features were most important to you in PocketWarwick’s gameplay mechanics?
WD: I wanted the game to play on two levels. First, the game needed to be one that you can pick up and play. I was inspired by apps that simulate drinking a beer so you can have a laugh at the pub, but also wanted PocketWarwick to be more in-depth like a simulation game. It’s entirely possible to play the game all the way through from Z-list to A-list without spending any real money, but in-app purchases are there if you want to speed things up.
I wanted the whole game to be free, but have the options to buy coins and speed up the process. My friend’s four-year-old was playing the game for an hour and a half, dressing little Warwick up and doing basic domestic tasks like showering. My son enjoys leveling up digital Warwick’s XP and improving his celebrity status. I wanted the game to appeal to a broad range of gamers, including casual folks.
APPO: How did you incorporate your current HBO show Life’s Too Short and your previous film roles into the game?
WD: Definitely Life’s Too Short’s sense of humor, in showing the funny side of being a little person in this world. My personality is in the game, including scenarios I find humorous. For example, when PocketWarwick discovers his autobiography, he says “Oh, this is a short story.” We can’t use exact film titles and characters due to copyright, but there are costume elements in the game that are close enough.
APPO: The game is very similar to old-school electronic games like Tamagotchi. What are some of the advantages in adopting this game format?
WD: I didn’t sit down to make this game in a formulaic way. We ended up realizing that in the end, there weren’t simple ingredients to make a game like that. I didn’t look at it as an advantage. If people like looking after something or somebody, it would appeal to them. The developers and I stumbled upon the current incarnation of PocketWarwick.
We had a physics professor working on the game to help with character movement. I think a free experience is important. You can choose how you want to play the game. If you do well as an actor, you can buy the big screen TV one day.
APPO: How does it feel knowing that very soon thousands of people will be able to interact with your game-based avatar on a daily basis?
WD: I hope it is thousands! It will be a weird thing. Usually people recognize me from movies and television, but now maybe people will say “I was just playing your game!”
I’ve been testing it over the last months, and it’s interesting how you play the game and switch it off. You can say “Let’s check how he’s doing.” Digital Warwick keeps living in there, and you don’t want him to get too hungry or deteriorate.
The right reaction to PocketWarick might be “this is the weirdest thing I’ve ever seen!” It’s quite surreal and I am excited to see people’s reactions to it. I love Apple and what they do, so it’s nice to have a close association with that, having an app launched in The App Store.
APPO: Are you at all worried that players will become so obsessed with making PocketWarwick’s career work that they’ll forget about their own?
WD: Play it sensibly! I wouldn’t want anyone to lose their job, but that would be the biggest compliment if someone was that into the game! If someone says they lost their job, I would be both sad and quite excited.
APPO: What are your favorite mobile games, other than PocketWarwick?
WD: Reckless Racing and Reckless Getaway. I love games with intricate, detailed graphics. Pick up and play games especially. I used to play SpinBall 2 on the Amiga. It was my favorite game, and the newer version has the same classic sounds as the original.
It’s no secret that I am not a brilliant gamer. On the other hand, my daughter is a completionist when it comes to games. She needs to get three stars on every level of Angry Birds. When I played Angry Birds and Flight Control I got to the point where my brain almost blew a few fuses.
APPO: If your first foray into mobile is a success, do you see yourself developing more games and starting your own mobile gaming empire? What other types of games featuring…yourself…would you want to see in the App Stores?
WD: I have other ideas for games. For PocketWarwick, we took 70 photographs of my face and recorded a lot of audio. I would like to use performance capture in a game, just as I have in movies. My kids motivate me to continue developing games, because they love playing them. We’ll see where it goes.
APPO: In the Harry Potter universe, Professor Filius Flitwick is the Charms Master, which is like being an app developer … does he use an iPhone or Android device and why?
WD: Definitely iPhone. I think Apple would describe them as being magical.
Stephen Danos is the Associate Editor for appoLearning.com, AndroidApps.com, and Appolicious. He has contributed to articles published on TechCrunch, The Chicago Sun Times, The Chicago Tribune, and elsewhere.
He received his BA in English from the University of Iowa and MFA in Creative Writing from Columbia College Chicago. He is the author of two poetry chapbooks, Playhouse State (H_NGM_N Books, 2012) and Gravitational (The New Megaphone, forthcoming).
Whether you’re a native Californian or just a movie buff on a west coast vacation, there’s a new fame-centric app that is worth checking out in TCM Hollywood Tour. TCM Hollywood Tour brings the old “map of the stars” into the iPhone age by providing not just a handy map dotted with the homes of […]
Whether you’re a native Californian or just a movie buff on a west coast vacation, there’s a new fame-centric app that is worth checking out in TCM Hollywood Tour. TCM Hollywood Tour brings the old “map of the stars” into the iPhone age by providing not just a handy map dotted with the homes of some of Hollywood’s most illustrious stars of yore, but also additional biographical information that helps illuminate just what made these people or locations so famous to begin with.
Of course, as the Turner Classic Movies portion of the app’s name implies, you won’t find the address to any current celebrity’s L.A. locales in the app. Instead, Hollywood Tour provides 100 pinned spots ranging from movie studios and famous auditoriums or restaurants featured in films to the homes of classic stars like Barbara Stanwyck, Doris Day, Lucille Ball and many others.
The pins show up on an easy-to-use map, but are also listed alphabetically if you’re dying to know if a particular celebrity or location has been included. Dreamers can use the self-guided tour, but TCM Hollywood Tour also provides a guided tour that will lead you through a tour of all of the top spots.
Although TCM Hollywood Tour lacks the gossipy nature of Hollywood news in 2012, longtime fans of celebrity culture should find plenty to appreciate within this charming ode to old-school celebrity and film. It’s certainly more useful if you happen to be in California to scout out the 100 locations listed, but even as a fun biographical source TCM Hollywood Tour is worth a look.
Dan Kricke has been playing with electronics and writing about them for years. He loved his Sega Dreamcast and now the PlayStation 3. On the iPhone, he's a fan of sports apps and anything that offers new music.
I’ll admit it: I’ve taken sneaky photos of things and people too absurd to simply let pass by. Typically shot from the hip to hide my judgmental moments, these photos rarely turn out leaving my “You’ll never believe what I just saw” stories with an anticlimactic “but I couldn’t get a photo” ending. And be […]
I’ll admit it: I’ve taken sneaky photos of things and people too absurd to simply let pass by. Typically shot from the hip to hide my judgmental moments, these photos rarely turn out leaving my “You’ll never believe what I just saw” stories with an anticlimactic “but I couldn’t get a photo” ending. And be honest, if you have an iPhone or camera-equipped iPod Touch you’ve thought about doing the exact same thing.
It’s got an ick-inducing name, but app Stalker, for iPhone and iPod Touch, is meant for fun and laughs while making it easier to photographically creep on your surroundings. Stalker can be set to take photos every 1, 2 or 5 seconds. By turning your ringer to silent you can mask the shutter noise and Stalker lets you set a default background image, such as screen shot of your inbox, iPod or springboard to keep over-the-shoulder spies from knowing what you’re really up to.
Upon tapping the home screen, the app will switch to your saved image and begin taking photos automatically at your desired interval. To stop shooting, tap the screen and a pop-up message will appear. Hitting “view” will show you all photos the app has taken, which you can then save to your camera roll, email or share on Facebook. All of the images are watermarked with the Stalker name and logo, though, so sharing publicly will reveal your secret methods. You can only send photos one at an item and trashing images can only be done in batches.
For a stealthy photography app that costs a buck, Stalker does just what it claims. How well your photos turn out depend on your hand steadiness and familiarity with your lens’s range.
Although Stalker’s name automatically gives it a dose of controversy, remember that the simple existence of a camera itself can already lead to nefarious use, with or without a stealthy app attached.
Admit it. You’ve sneaked glances at The National Enquirer as you’ve waited in line to pay for groceries at the store. It’s nothing to be ashamed of, we’ve all be pulled in by headlines like “Mother delivers three-headed conjoined alien twins” and wanted to peek. In fact, those furtive glances seem far less voyeuristic than […]
Admit it. You’ve sneaked glances at The National Enquirer as you’ve waited in line to pay for groceries at the store. It’s nothing to be ashamed of, we’ve all be pulled in by headlines like “Mother delivers three-headed conjoined alien twins” and wanted to peek. In fact, those furtive glances seem far less voyeuristic than those used in the age of TMZ, Perez Hilton and the 24-hour news cycle that becomes more tabloid by the day.
But, like all print periodicals The Enquirer needs to boost flagging sales of their dead-tree (print) version to stay relevant in the digital gossip age. They’ve done so admirably in an extremely polished iPad app called Enquirer Plus that’s free to download and currently has a free, full issue to try out.
I must note my shock at not finding any stories of extra terrestrials or Elvis sightings. It seems the former giant of the incredulous has become a rather traditional, dare I say mainstream, gossip magazine with images of Lindsay Lohan’s latest botched plastic surgery and Brangelina’s wedding.
In spite of my disappointment at not being more shocked and awed, I have to give props where they’re due. The publishers integrate their rag well with iOS using Newsstand and including lots of interactive elements, built in social networking, and an eye-catching design that looks vibrant on new and old iPads alike. And with special features like exclusive videos there is a lot here for the tabloid junkie to enjoy.
Single issues following the free preview will be priced at an impulsive-buy compatible $0.99 with a monthly subscription going for $2.99 and annual subscriptions only $29.99. Gossip fans will love this app, and if you’ve always wanted to peek between the covers here’s your chance for a private, prurient preview.
Lisa Caplan writes app lists and guides as well as reviewing iOS apps and games on various tech sites, most recently on her fledgling iPhone and iPad giveaway blog, AppTudes. She is thrilled to be joining the stellar reviewing team at Appolicious.
Located in a balmy Montreal suburb, Lisa has an advanced degree in Creative Writing, and has had an Apple computer by her side since 1979! She is a talentless art nut, bibliophile and accessory junkie. Lisa looks forward to sharing her gaming addiction and love for all tech that promotes culture, communication, social awareness and education at every level.
major strength of this app is the sheer quality of the illustrations, which is highly artistic. There is also a seamless synthesis with such illustrations with the animated elements. In comparison to previous apps by iClassics Productions, the text also seems to be more integrated with, and immersed in, the story, with effective and layered transitions.
