All you type “A” news junkies (hey thats me) that have iPhones, there has finally been an app developed for you. NewsAlert developed by Dan Hassin is a simple push notification iPhone news app that lets you target the news that you want to see. Most “news junkies” have numerous news iPhone apps, CNN, Fox, USA Today, etc to help stay in the know. But, if your like me your iPhone app real estate is limited, so any app that can combine app functionality is a no brainer to help free up some icon space.

NewsAlert iPhone app is extremely easy to use. Once you open the app there is a large + sign in the upper right of the main or home screen. To add a news source or something you want to track press this and you can add your keywords. You can start tracking weather in your home city, news, sports, etc. Or go national by using key words like politics, health care or other search terms. In the search set up screen there are a few buttons to make adding searches easier, contacts, artists, and location. So what is the quality of news pushed backed?

The quality is pretty good, but I think the true results depend on the key words used for your search setup. I have been happy with the results. Mostly I follow “social media” and “iPhone” stories and I have been very happy with the results. You can also set your name up as an alert, like a lot of folks do with “Google Alerts.” I have not done this, but will do so after logging this blog post. Why? Because personal brand management is very important and in this day and age, most of us want instant news. NewsAlert does a good job of providing you with “instant news.”

NewsAlert costs $0.99 and this app receives 4.5 CrazyMikes Heads for simple, customizable, fully functional push news alert app. CM

Title: NewsAlert iPhone App, Cost: $0.99, Category: News, Developer: Dan Hassin

Title: Hottie Hookups iPhone App, Cost: $1.99, Category: Games, Developer: Big Stack Studios

http://www.crazymikesapps.com

Productivity apps are one of my favorite iPhone apps just by title alone. They immediately communicate to me that they are going to make my life better by category alone. Therefore developers have a tall order to live up to when they create a “productivity app.” In it’s essence a productivity app should make me more productive. The Family Organizer: Shared Calendar+ToDo+Grocery List+Coupons by YADAhome.com falls well below the average mark for a productivity app and actually this app is self indulgent (to quote Simon Cowell).

This app rubs me the wrong way for many reasons, first and foremost you have to sign up (for FREE) to the website community YADAhome.com. However, what you think is FREE really will cost you $9.99, which is apparently reduced from $24.99. Until you fork over the cash this iPhone app is useless.

I do not usually come down this hard on iPhone apps, but this iPhone app has not value until you pay money to use it. Google calendar will perform most of this apps functions and that is FREE. This app is FREE, but it really is not FREE and I do not recommend it. This app receives 1, yes 1 CrazyMikes Head because this app has no functionality until you pony up some cash. CM

Title: Family Organizer (abb) iPhone App by YADAhome.com, Cost: FREE, Category: Productivity, Developer: YADAhome.com

London, UK – SMEStorage today is pleased to announce that its iSMEStorage iPhone application is live in the Apple App store. The application is the first iPhone application to let users access and manage over 10 storage clouds from their iPhone in one Cloud file view. Clouds from which files can be viewed and managed include Amazon S3, RackSpace CloudFiles, Box, Apple Mobile Me, Microsoft SkyDrive, Microsoft Live Mesh, Gmail-as-a-cloud, Email-as-a-Cloud, FTP-as-a-Cloud, Google Docs, and WebDav enabled clouds.

CEO Ian Osborne states, “We are very happy to add the iPhone to the list of clients that users can use to get access to their files from our platform. This application provides access to an amazing array of storage clouds right from the palm of your hand, and provides sophisticated file sharing, file security, viewing and sync-to-device features.”

“There are number of firsts for this application. It is the first to virtualize storage clouds and make them available from one Cloud File System, and it is the first App of any kind in the App Store that enables access to Microsoft SkyDrive files.”

“Cloud users who have envied the simplicity of direct file sync to their iPhone from other storage platforms, but who did not want to move storage providers can now use SMEStorage and our iPhone application and have the same feature.”

“If users are at all like me they will have files in Google Docs, company files in something like Amazon S3, personal Files stored on MIcrosoft SkyDrive, and files stored as email attachments on GMail, as well as other interesting file information in platforms such as Evernote. I use my own service as I find the ability to access all this information in one location and move files easily invaluable. Couple this with easy ways to secure files, file share and sync, and you have on the road nirvana !”

Osborne finished by saying “The iPhone is the first mobile client we have supported and we intend to roll out support for Android, Blackberry and Windows Mobile over the coming year”

Device Requirements:
* iPhone and iPod touch
* Requires iPhone OS 3.0 or later
* 0.8 MB

Pricing and Availability:
iSMEStorage 1.01 is only $0.99 (USD) and available worldwide exclusively through the App Store in the Productivity category.

SMEStorage
iSMEStorage 1.01
Purchase and Download
Screenshot
App Icon

SMEStorage provides provide a cloud storage gateway in which we sync file meta-data but all files continue to reside on the original storage platform. In this way we are able to offer value added services and clients to existing cloud storage providers, and also enables us to provide a single cloud file system which enables files from many different cloud storage providers to be managed in one cloud file tree. SMEStorage provide services to individual users, and also to corporate users via its Organisation Cloud platform offering, which combines file sharing, user management and collaboration features. Copyright (C) 2010 SMEStorage. All Rights Reserved. Apple, the Apple logo, iPhone and iPod are registered trademarks of Apple Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries.

Update:03/11/10: Battle of Puppets updated, new content, same low price $0.99. Check this operatic iPhone styled app out today. CM

Battle of Puppets iPhone game by Small Wonders is an out of the box iPhone game jam packed with creative nuances. As far as castle games go, this is the classiest one I have ever played. Filled with culture you choose 1 of the 5 different armies and began to fight the other armies. You start from the your “prop” or castle and you generate different military units that are available from the drop down box you access by touching your “prop castle.” The units take different times to build and you can only build so many. Your troops dressed in traditional opera garb march towards the opposite side of the stage to take on the opposing army. There are strategic points along the way that allow you to put mini castles up to build troops closer to your foes castle. The best part of the game is when a military unit dies they are plucked up in the air by puppet strings to, I guess puppet heaven. There are some very creative and cool scenes, which change and can even cause you some problems during your conquest. Battle of Puppets costs $1.99 and earns 4 CrazyMIkes head’s. CM

London, Canada – Rocking Pocket Games today is pleased to announce the availability of Puppet Jump 3D 1.2, a game that can be only described as a cross between Little Big Planet and Doodle Jump for the iPhone. Puppet Jump 3D challenges players to jump on platforms as high as they can without falling, while collecting Puppet Points that can be used to customize your character and unlock new background scenes.

As the player jumps higher they will encounter moving and breakable platforms that are spaced even farther apart, and duck behind clouds and other obstacles that might obscure your view and cause a mistake. What sets the game apart is the graphics style and the customization possibilities. In addition to the cute cartoonish 3D graphics and animated characters, when played on an iPhone 3GS there are impressive realtime shadows unlike any other iPhone game, thanks to the proprietary 3D engine developed by Rocking Pocket Games.

Customization is extensive with over a million combinations. Players can change the body type, hair, eyes, mouth, and material of their puppet. A variety of scenes can be unlocked, ranging from blue sky, cliff face, outer space, tropical waterfalls, and even hell. Puppet Jump 3D is the first in a series of puppet games, with Puppet Sprint 3D coming soon and Puppet Labyrinth 3D to be released Q2 2010.

Device Requirements:
* iPhone and iPod touch
* Requires iPhone OS 3.1.2 or later
* 29.8 MB

Pricing and Availability:
Puppet Jump 3D 1.2 is available as a free trial download on the iTunes App Store, with an in-app purchase of $0.99 to unlock the full game.

Puppet Jump 3D 1.2
Download From iTunes
YouTube Video
Screenshot 1
Screenshot 2
Screenshot 3

Rocking Pocket Games was founded in 2008 to bring high quality games to the iPhone. Led by Chris Egerter, former PC 3D engine developer and lead programmer of several game titles, Rocking Pocket Games has produced some standout iPhone games such as Blue Skies, iFishing, Pocket Farm, and Dark Raider. Rocking Pocket Games pushes the technical limits of the iPhone and creates games targeted at those who want more out of their portable digital devices. Copyright (C) 2008-2010 Rocking Pocket Games. All Rights Reserved. Apple, the Apple logo, iPhone and iPod are registered trademarks of Apple Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries.

Lancaster, UK – Building on the success of the critical hit puzzle game, Chromixa, for iPhone and iPod touch, Pure Square Go is delighted to announce that update 1.1 is now available. The full list of upgrades are; 22 new puzzles (70 total), new “Time Challenge” mini game (4 total), OpenFeint integration for online leaderboards & achievements, compete for the fastest level completion time and shake to reset. But that’s not all. A Lite version has also been released.

Beginning life as a digital art project, Chromixa 1.1.1 is the enchanting result of designer Simon Watson’s fascination with light. Inspired by noted artists such as James Clar and James Turrell, Chromixa’s first incarnation was a real life installation built from 100s of red, green and blue LEDs, a micro-controller, plexiglass, and one very creative brain.

With the concept of physically interactive light mixing at its core, Chromixa has gone through many evolutions, reaching its zenith as an exciting new puzzle genre on the App Store. The simplicity of blending primary colours and fitting tangram-style geometric shapes together offers a uniquely stimulating and addictive interactive experience.

Arrange colored shapes of light to complete beautifully designed puzzles. Primary colors of red, green and blue are rotated, positioned and overlaid to create new tones as shapes overlap. Like a jigsaw of light, your goal is to arrange the shapes to fill an outline with a single color.

As you complete puzzles, the points you earn can be used to unlock fun arcade-style mini-games. Like all good puzzle titles, Chromixa is built upon a simple yet endlessly expandable concept, that unfurls to create progressively discerning challenges that are fun, beautiful and offer pleasing mental agility exercises for all ages.

What Everyone is Saying …

“So ingeniously simple it’s hard to understand why it wasn’t thought of until now.” – PocketGamer

“One of the most exciting puzzle games I’ve played this year.” – TouchReviews

“The game is so simple it’s hard to convey its gameplay with much excitement, but rest assured it’s tantamount to digital heroin. Chromixa is undoubtedly the best iPhone game you’re not currently playing.” – MobileChoiceUK

“A unique and very nice puzzle game.” – TouchArcade

“The gameplay is really smooth and it’s a pleasure with the ease of controls. All the factors combined make it an excellent game, and I would highly recommended it to anyone who is looking for an refreshing puzzle game.” – iPhoneFootprint

“Chromixa is a great brainteaser yet quite simple and even relaxing, especially if you turn up the volume and listen to the soothing soundtrack. Puzzle game enthusiasts will rejoice.” – MacWorld

Feature Highlights:
* 22 new puzzles (70 total)
* 4 arcade-style mini games to unlock and play
* Animated introduction tutorial
* Simple one finger controls
* Easy to pick up
* Original music soundtrack by Stian Stark
* Solve puzzles in any order, with no time limit
* Play your own music
* OpenFeint integration for online leaderboards & achievements
* Compete for the fastest level completion time
* Shake to reset

Device Requirements:
* iPhone and iPod touch
* Requires iPhone OS 3.1 or later
* 7.6 MB

Pricing and Availability:
Chromixa 1.1.1 is $1.99 (USD) and available worldwide exclusively through the App Store in the Games category.

Pure Square Go
Chromixa 1.1.1
Purchase and Download
Download Chromixa Free from iTunes
YouTube Video

The two man team at Pure Square Go, have been creating different types of written content for games for the last six years. From script writing and design document authoring to concept pitching and character creation, there isn’t much in the way of in-game written content that Pure Square Go’s team hasn’t had experience with. Crucially, with years of journalism and games design consultancy experience between them, when it comes to generating market friendly promotional and non-fiction material, or creating in-game narrative content that sensibly informs interactive game mechanics, Pure Square Go is armed with weapons singularly designed for the purpose. Copyright (C) 2010 Pure Square Go. All Rights Reserved. Apple, the Apple logo, iPhone and iPod are registered trademarks of Apple Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries.

Austin, Texas – Zero Emission Games today proudly announces the release of Short Order Cook 2.0, a fast-paced casual game from their Food for Thought collection that challenges players’ skills of recognition, concentration and trains their memory.

In Short Order Cook, at the outset of each level a food image on a kitchen ticket and its matching tile are revealed for a short time. Once the tiles are flipped over, the challenge is to memorize the location of the matching pairs as quickly and as precise as possible. After all pairs of images have been revealed, the user needs to correctly select the matching tile for each kitchen ticket when it turns over.

As the game progresses the level of difficulty increases and more kitchen tickets need to be matched to complete each level. Players start at the Beginner difficulty and proceed to the Insane difficulty, which is a real challenge! The game is fun for all ages, so both adults and children will find it challenging and captivating.

Game features:
* Over 50 unique food images
* Original music and sound effects
* Unlimited number of levels
* Beginner to Insane difficulty
* Practice and Competition game mode
* OpenFeint Enabled

“This is a great contribution to the selection of memory training games available on Apple’s AppStore, and we hope that users will enjoy playing Short Order Cook as much as we do. – said Vin Licari.”

Language Support:
* US English, Dutch, French, German, Italian and Spanish

Device Requirements:
* iPhone and iPod touch
* Requires iPhone OS 2.2.1 or later
* 5.5 MB

Pricing and Availability:
Short Order Cook 2.0 is offered at the special introductory price of $0.99 (USD) and available exclusively through the App Store in the Games category.

Zero Emission Games
Short Order Cook 2.0
Purchase and Download
Media Assets

Zero Emission Games was founded in April 2007 with a mission to develop the next generation of interactive applications for mobile devices. The company is located in Austin, TX and now specializes in developing iPhone and iPod touch games. Copyright (C) 2007-2010 Zero Emission Games. All Rights Reserved. Apple, the Apple logo, iPhone and iPod are registered trademarks of Apple Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries.

Brisbane, Australia – Cogniflame today proudly announces the release of StarHunt 1.0 for iPhone and iPod touch devices, an exciting adventure game where players search for glowing stars scattered throughout a large pre-rendered 3D house. In StarHunt, players have the opportunity to explore a beautifully detailed mansion and lush garden in search of glowing stars. Something new and exciting awaits them inside each room – but they must find the right key before they can enter!

To find all 200 stars per game, players get to open cupboards and drawers, look behind furniture and through bookshelves, and outside amongst rocks and bushes. StarHunt is a point-and-click adventure game, made up of over 1,000 stunningly detailed still-frames. The navigation is performed by sliding and double-tapping the screen. StarHunt is sure to delight all ages, encouraging the child within to hunt high and low for the glowing treasures.

Game Features:
* Stunning pre-rendered 3D graphics
* Large two story house with front and back yard to explore
* Drawers, cupboards, and other hiding places animate open and close on touch
* Stars and keys are placed randomly with every new game, with over 270 star locations
* Simple yet fun gameplay
* Automatically saves progress
* Immersive sound and original music
* OpenFeint enabled – Share your achievements with friends on Facebook and Twitter

“StarHunt is an excellent representation of the original concept, full of the child-like curiosity and excitement of sorting through drawers and cupboards while exploring a stranger’s house. It took far longer than expected to make, but I’m quite pleased with the results.” -Dustin Williams; March 8th, 2010.

Language Support:
* US English, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Russian, Spanish and Swedish

Device Requirements:
* iPhone and iPod touch
* Requires iPhone OS 2.2.1 or later
* 58.1 MB

Pricing and Availability:
StarHunt 1.0 is $1.99 (USD) and available exclusively through the App Store in the Games category.

Cogniflame
StarHunt 1.0
Purchase and Download
Media Assets

In September of 2009, Dustin Williams established Cogniflame Pty Ltd in Brisbane, Australia. Cogniflame shares Dustin’s vision of creating unique, creative, high-quality new media. Cogniflame started out with an emphasis on the iPhone platform, but now plans on developing interactive entertainment for other mobile platforms and the web as well. Cogniflame has since become engaged in two large-scale website ventures with other entrepreneurs to create a diversified skill-set and bring in funding for the many future games the company has planned. Copyright (C) 2010 Cogniflame Pty Ltd. All Rights Reserved. Apple, the Apple logo, iPhone and iPod are registered trademarks of Apple Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries.

iPhone children’s/kids apps are on the rise and for a very good reason. Because there is an ever increasing market share of Mom’s using iPhone apps to help stay organized, entertain their kids, help to educate their kids, and enterntainment. The iPhone and smartphones are becoming popular because they allow us to have a mini computer in our hand, which opens up a lot of opportunity when mobile we have not had in the past. My Little Suitcase developed by Lorraine Akemann is a fun children’s iPhone app that is interactive and lets kid’s use their imagination.

This app has a friendly user interface (UI) that is colorful and simplified with 4 main action buttons to choose from. No matter where your child chooses to venture, they have to pack their suitcase for the virtual trip. When packing they have additional choices to make for garments and items that pertain to the trip ahead. Your kids can pack to dress a snowman, go camping, head to the beach or pack for a sleep over. Once your child packs their suitcase they press the > button on the lower right to virtually travel. Once at their destination kids can dress a snowman or interact with some of the items they packed in their suitcase. A little tip, the environments the kids travel to are interactive so push, touch, drag and see what else you can do once you arrive and start to unpack.

There is also a simple help button on the front with basic explanations on how to use this app. Overall this app is age appropriate for kids from 2 to 6, maybe a year up or down give or take. I do not have anything negative to report on this app, but the price point may be better served at $0.99. Either way this is a fun children’s app that can keep your little one occupied while teaching them to interact with different virtual life scenes. My Little Suitcase costs $1.99 and receives 4.5 CrazyMikes Heads for solid children’s iPhone app. CM

Title: My Little Suitcase iPhone App, Cost: $1.99, Category: Travel, Developer: Lorraine Akemann