app of the week v1

AppsGoneFree

I would like to start off my app of the week with the AppsGoneFree app.  I am starting with this app as a representation of what I would like reviewing apps to help with: people finding apps that work well and fulfill a need.  AppsGoneFree suggests normally paid apps that are currently free.  And I would like my reviews to suggest apps for people that are looking for great apps (as I am someone who likes to find an app made well that helps me on a day-to-day basis).  In addition to that I think a lot of time people underestimate apps and how they can enrich/help/make easy their lives daily.  So to start this review off I am listing pros and cons to AppsGoneFree.  Then listed below is a section that breaks down UI (user interface), functionality, and a few other aspects of the app.  There are multiple screen shots and then towards the end there is an app rating and a price (if any) of the app.

+Pros:
- Suggests free apps that normally are paid.
- Lists screen shots, reviews, and info about each app.
- Apps are listed for iPhones, iPads, and universal apps that work for both devices.
- App will notify you daily when a new issue of free apps is in.

+Cons:
- App is funded by ads so it is not ad-free. It contains header ads.
- I would say that really is the only con to this app.

+UI, Functionality, and other aspects
I think AppsGoneFree has a great interface and is set up in a way that makes sense.  It lists an index of the apps free for that day on the main page.  Each free app section has a picture, title, app developer name, star rating, short description, and how much it would have cost if you bought it. (See pic below)

If you are interested in downloading one of the free apps then all you have to do is select on any part of the app section: icon, title, short description, etc, and it will take you to a page that will give you screen shots, an extended description, and extended reviews.  You can then click on the "Free" button and it will launch the App Store on your iPhone/iPad where you can actually download the app.  

On the page where you see the screen shots there is also a share button in the top right hand corner that allows you to email the info about the free app and share the info on Facebook or Twitter.  

You can also view past issues of AppsGoneFree by scrolling to the bottom of the main page of the app and selecting, "That's it for today folks! Want more? View previous issues." 

I think this app is very intuitive and a great resource for a person causally looking for great new apps or an avid/power user that is looking for apps  that will improve day-today functions they would normally have to pay for.  All in all I would give it:

+Rating: 8.5 out of 10 points

The only reason I did not give it a 10 was because of the cons listed above.  Additionally, the app itself is free.

+Price: Free

I hope you have enjoyed this review and will continue to read my reviews and be on the lookout for great apps.  If you would like me to review any specific apps let me know, email me at themiddleicardi@me.com or connect at twitter @themiddleicardi

Here is the app developer's website and the link to the app in iTunes where you can download it, see more reviews, etc.

Developer's site: http://appchronicles.com/category/apps-gone-free/

iTunes app link: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/appsgonefree/id470693788?mt=8

app of the week intro:

     To start off this “app of the week” thing I would like to give you an idea of how I am going to do this.  The review will consist of a few different aspects/facets.  I want to give an overall pro/con list of each app.  This will include what it is good and what it is bad/missing from the app.  Then I want to go over a few key aspects of apps that I care about: UI, functionality, etc.  And finally based off of all of the above criteria I have discussed about an app, I'll give it a 1-10 rating and give you a direct link to that app in the app store so you can check it out, check other reviews people are giving it, and buy/download it if you want.  And as I said before, let me know any apps you would like for me to check out and I'll review them.  As a preview the first app for review is AppsGoneFree.  In the review I'll share why I'm starting with that one specifically.

idea: app per week

Hi Internet world,

So, I had a dream and thought last night/this morning and as I was waking up.  I really like finding and using apps that work well and have amazing UI's (user interface).  As a result, I am always online looking for new apps, on the app store, and on other apps that suggest other apps.

You get get the idea.  So I thought I should take an app a week and review it.  I know this is not a new idea, but I hope it is helpful in finding apps that could benefit you as I share something I love: awesome apps.

You can expect to see a new review every Monday or Tuesday.  Feel free to send ideas for apps you'd like reviewed.

something new

hey all,
so it's been awhile, since march actually since i posted.  so this is a catch up...
without actually being a catch up.  hm.  it's a catch up in that it's a new post...
but there really is no new info.  at least not for now.  i wish i was constantly posting on this...
it's hard though at times to keep up with this.  why?  well i don't easily write about myself, how i'm feeling, etc. so this is already hard.  and i do not often see people look at this site so it's even less reason to write.
hm...
well that's all for now.

st. patty's day

Today was pretty good.  It was my first Saturday that I have had off completely in a really, really long time.  I am so thankful for it.  It was from an interest standpoint, fairly uneventful and boring.  But I am ok  with that.  I slept in, chilled, watched a fair amount of Star Trek, made some great corned beef and cabbage, and will probably be getting an early start to sleep tonight.  It is interesting to consider how big of a day this is for some.  Green, drinking, heritage, etc. are just a few words to describe the day.  Also brisket burger with corned beef (which I wish I had gone to 4Rivers to get).  Anyway, for a lot of people today they will get completely drunk/wasted and "celebrate" in that way and have a crazy night.  I'll pass on that and take a more quiet and calm night.  Call me unexciting and boring.  I am ok with that for today :)

neglectful

I have been of late very neglectful of my blog.  I guess with work keeping me busy, thinking of the near future (this next fall), and a few other things I have not been keeping up with this dialogue.  And this (http://themiddleicardi.tumblr.com/) has pulled some attention away form my blog (I am sorry blogger.com you are not the only fish in the pond).  But I am back and just wanted to leave a quick note here.

Overall, life is good.  Nothing too exciting has occurred.  I am just trying to figure out (well and procrastinating) what this next Fall will hold.  I definitely want to continue my education and get "back in the game".  I have had this semester (and really last semester as I only took one online class) off of school and I want back in.  I am currently trying to decide mainly between FSU and UCF.  I would love to attend a school out of state, but financially that will not happen (unless I am beyond blessed with a bunch of money).  I would like to attend FSU so that I can go somewhere else (no offense O-town), but they do not have an Apple store and I really want my current job to transfer.  We'll see.  Well, there's a quick update.  Hopefully I will not be neglecting this conversation in the near future as much as I had been.

remember those smells

You know when you smell something that reminds you of a previous time, place, person, or thing?  The funny thing is that awhile back (well when I was younger) I did not think that things would cause a reminiscence of past times.

But they do (and sometimes they happen quite often).

The other day I was at work (4Rivers) and got the whiff of a bucket of water and instantly I was transported back to being in the pool and it being a rainy day.  It was one of those comforting smells that takes you back to your childhood, ya know?  I really like remembering those summer days when it would rain all day and you could smell the rain in the air.  And I did not have that many responsibilities.  Playing in the mud and throwing water balloons.  I am definitely glad I had the childhood that I did.