The iPhone Mom

C is for Cow is a new app from Modern Eden. They are the company behind Speak Piggy!, an app that I reviewed in July. C is for Cow has a design that is similar to Speak Piggy!. I like how the pictures look like they have been cut from wood. C is for Cow is a simple app. You will view different pictures of animals, one for each letter of the alphabet. You may tap a button to hear the name of the letter or tap a button to hear the name of the animal. When you are done you can swipe to the left to move through the alphabet. The different letters are presented in two ways – in order or randomly. There aren’t many bells and whistles to this app and it’s appeal lies in it’s graphics and simplicity. The charm definitely comes from the illustrations of the animals.

Price when Reviewed: $.99

See the app in iTunes

Seller: Forge

Disclosure: I received a free copy of this app for review

Interactive Alphabet for iPad is a wonderfully enjoyable flash card app for toddlers and preschoolers. I truly enjoyed testing this one out. The app begins with a screen that is filled with alphabet letters. They are bright and colorful and look so inviting you just can’t wait to tap a letter. So you do and are rewarded with a full screen flashcard that shows the letter and something that begins with it. Narration accompanies the flashcard, telling you the letter’s name and what it is for on the screen. (Example: J, J is for Jack in the Box) The flashcard is animated and if you tap on the pictures something extra fun will happen. You can also tap on the letter and words to hear them spoken out loud again.

To navigate through the app you can return to the main screen that shows the different alphabet letters. Or you can pay attention to the two small letters at the top left and right of the iPad screen. These will be the letters that come just before and just after the one you are looking at. You may tap on one of these letters to move forward or backwards through the app without returning to the main screen.

Accompanying the app is a very catchy soundtrack. It’s not loud or annoying as some children’s app music tends to be. It fits the app and didn’t get on my nerves at all. The developers included an extra treat by adding two extra soundtracks so you have three total to choose from. They’re all great and I love that you can swap them out when you’re tired of hearing one over and over again.

Interactive Alphabet for iPad is polished, well thought out and will absolutely appeal to toddlers and younger preschoolers who are beginning to learn their letters. Great app!

Price when Reviewed: $2.99 (this is a 40% off price through 9/16)

See the app in iTunes

Seller: Pi’ikea St. LLC

Disclosure: I received a free copy of this app for review

I was recently contacted and asked to review the new Pull-Ups sponsored app, iGo Potty. I’m no potty training expert and my three experiences were all different. I think the only thing I can claim to have learned is that my kids have to do it on their own terms. You can lead my child to the potty but you can’t make them use it. What I’m trying to say is that I took a look at this app through my practical mom eyes. Would this be something that I could see myself using when it comes time to tackle the issue with Baby J? The answer is yes.

iGo Potty is a free app (hooray!) and it allows you to set a schedule of reminders for when it’s potty time. Potty reminders can be set anywhere from 30 minutes to ten hours apart. The times are set in half hour increments and can be adjusted using a slider. The app is courteous enough to let you set a time span of when you would like your reminders. This means you can eliminate reminders in the middle of the night.

When it’s time for a reminder Patty the Potty will appear on the screen with an “It’s Time to Go Potty!” message. Here you (or your child) can tap “Not Now” or “Answer”. If you choose to answer then Patty will put up a screen message that says “Potty in Progress”. Tap the done button and Patty will want to know how your child did. The answer choices are “I went potty!”, “I tried to go!” or “I didn’t go this time”. If your child went to the bathroom they will earn a new virtual sticker. When they’ve earned nine stickers they will unlock a game. The app tracks three rows of nine stickers and you can always wipe the record clean and begin again.

The app has a “Progress” screen that will display a bar graph showing how many times your child has successfully used the bathroom. This graph can be emailed out. When your child has finished their training you can use this section to create a diploma with their name on it. In iGo Potty’s settings you can personalize the app with your child’s name and photo. Here you will choose the ringtone you’d like to hear when the app reminds you it’s potty time. Choose from the “I’m a big kid now” song, a flushing noise or my favorite, the slide whistle.

Overall iGo Potty is very easy to use and I appreciate it’s regular reminders. I would like to see push notifications that would send me reminders when the app is off. Besides that the only thing that I didn’t care for much is the style of graphics. They’re made to look as if a child has drawn them and I understand why, they’re probably very appealing to children. But I prefer a cleaner look and I’ve got to be honest, the design wasn’t really my style .However, the app functions great, it provides an excellent service, keeps track of potty trips, provides encouragement and rewards and it’s free. Most definitely worth a try by any parent who is attempting to tackle toilet training.

**CONTEST**

Now I get to announce an exciting contest! Pull-Ups is sponsoring a give away for iPhone Mom readers. The Grand Prize is a brand new Flip video camera and three free Pull-Ups coupons. First Prize in the contest is a $50 Visa gift card and two free Pull-Ups coupons. Thanks Pull-Ups!

Here are the details. To enter I’d like you to download the iGo Potty app (found here in iTunes) and then leave me a comment letting me know what you think. Likes, dislikes, be honest. Please only enter and leave feedback if you have had some experience with potty training. This could include experience from the past or anticipated experience in the near future.

It would also be great if you could thank the good folks at Pull-Ups for allowing me to conduct the giveaway. You can reach them at their Facebook page or via the Twitter handle @PullUpsBigKid.

The contest will run through Labor Day, September 6th. That evening I’ll use random.org to select the two winners. Good luck everyone!

Price when Reviewed: FREE

See the app in iTunes

Seller: Joule

Disclosure: Pull-Ups training pants provided me with a Flip camp and product coupons to try out the new iGo Potty iPhone app and conduct a reader giveaway with a $50 Visa gift card and product coupons. However, my opinions on the product are entirely my own and I have not been paid to publish positive sentiments towards Pull-Ups or their products.

iLiveMath Ford Cars is an app designed for helping children practice word problems. “Word problems” was always a dirty word to me. Give me a straight math problem and okay, I can handle that. But start throwing in nouns, adjectives and verbs and you’ve lost me. Which is why I think apps like this are so great. They provide practice outside of the classroom for all sorts of different skills. Plus you’re not tied to a worksheet or website, the practice is completely portable.

In iLiveMath Ford Cars the word problems all center around Ford Cars. Know going into the app that it’s sponsored by Ford so the product placement is prominent. The problems are divided into three different levels. Level one deals with addition and subtraction problems. Level two throws some multiplication into the mix. Level three takes things way up a notch. You’ve got advanced addition, subtraction and multiplication, mean, median, mode and range problems.

Each problem is presented over a background that shows a Ford vehicle. On the problem screen your child can solve the problem or watch a You Tube video from the Ford Company. They can send out the word problem via Twitter and read educational information about Ford. They’ll also have the option of removing the word problem from the screen so they can see the vehicle without any obstructions. I almost forgot – there are also car sound effects to this app.

I liked seeing an app that is completely dedicated to word problems and iLiveMath Ford Cars covers a broad range of mathematical skills. I like the car slant to the content, this would definitely appeal to my son.

This is a universal app and will work on all your devices. I tested it out on my iPhone.

Price when Reviewed: $3.99

See the app in iTunes

Seller: iHome Educator

Disclosure: I received a free copy of this app for review

I am absolutely delighted to let you all know about the app Shakespeare in Bits: Romeo & Juliet. Delighted! This app review is for anyone out there with a Junior High or High Schooler who will be tackling Shakespeare this coming school year. I can’t remember when I first had to read Shakespeare in school but I’ve always enjoyed and marveled at his works. His creativity and ability to shape sentences amazes me. But….I know not everyone feels that way and the thought of dealing with one of Shakespeare’s plays gives many students nightmares. This is why I’m very excited to review Shakespeare in Bits. If you’ve got a student who is going to take on Romeo & Juliet this year this app could be a sanity saver. For parent and child!

I’m not even quite sure where to begin because there are so many wonderful things about Shakespeare in Bits. I think I’ll try breaking it down by the differentbuttons that show up at the bottom of the screen and we’ll go from there.

Play - The Play button takes you to the beginning of the Play, in this case Romeo & Juliet. On the left side of the screen is a movie. On the right side is the play’s text. When you play the movie you’ll be viewing an animated reenactment of the text on the right side of the screen. This text will be highlighted as it is narrated in the movie. The animation includes narration featuring Michael Sheen and Kate Beckinsale. It’s taken from —— You can always read the text without watching the movie.

As you read through the text you will notice that some phrases are highlighted by boxes. If you tap on these phrases the words will change into more modern language. For example, in the prologue the words read “Two households, both alike in nobility.” Tapping on the word nobility will change it to “dignity” so the line now reads “Two households both alike in dignity.” It makes a little more sense that way. In the margin next to the text are tiny circles with the letters “L” and “H” in them. Tap on “L” and you’ll see an explanation about the language being used in that section. Tap on “H” to read about the history that relates to the lines. I think these features are absolutely fantastic.

In the Play section you can read the play’s text or see notes on the section. These notes are an explanation of what is going on it that particular scene. You can also view a synopsis of the scene. All of this puts a modern explanation on Shakespeare and makes the play easier to understand.

Scenes - The Scenes button pulls up a scene index. Here you are allowed to choose an image that will launch a scene in the play. This will allow you to start the play from any point that you wish.

Cast – This is probably my favorite part of the app and I think the developers made a brilliant move here. Tapping the Cast button brings up a list of the characters in Romeo & Juliet. Tap on a characters name and you will see their name, age, main characteristics and associates. Tap on an associates name and you’ll be shown their character information. You will be able to read a summary of that character’s actions in the play. There is also an illustration from the animated movie so you can identify the character visually. In addition to the cast information there is a relationship map. This visually maps out how all of the characters are connected to each other. Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful!

Analysis - The analysis section is broken down into several sections. There is the plot summary, themes from the play, key imagery and notable quotes. Information about William Shakespeare is also included here.

Shakespeare in Bits: Romeo & Juliet is available in an iPhone or iPad version. I tested out the iPad version and it is slightly different from the iPhone due to the screen size. In the Play section I mention the movie appears next to the text on the screen. This is how it will be on the iPad, it won’t show up that way in the iPhone version. The content is the same but it’s presented in a different way. The team behind Shakespeare in Bits is currently working on Macbeth and they’re planning to launch the app around November. I think they’ve created a tremendous tool for students and I hope the app’s do very well so they can continue to develop more plays.

The iPhone and iPad versions both have a free version. They only contain the beginning of Romeo & Juliet but they will give you a look at what you’ll get with the full version. I highly encourage anyone who’s going to work with this play to give the apps a trial.

Price when Reviewed: $4.99 (iPhone) – $11.99 (iPad) – sale prices through September 2nd.

See the iPhone app in iTunes

See the iPad app in iTunes

Seller: Mindconnex Learning, Ltd.

Disclosure: I received a free copy of this app for review

Fast Flash Cards was created by a twelve year old iPhone app developer. The app focuses on using flashcards to practice math facts and I’m very impressed by what Jake Heis has done. You begin by choosing which operation you’d like to work on – addition, subtraction, multiplication, division or a mix of all. Next you choose your difficulty level. Easy will feature the numbers 1-6 in the problems. Medium works with 1-12 and hard has problems that go from 1-18. The final step before you begin is to select a time limit for yourself. You can give yourself either 30 or 60 seconds to run through as many flashcards as possible. Now you are ready to practice. The flashcard presents the math problem. Enter in your answer and then tap the “Check and Continue” button. If you answered correctly the app will tell you so and will then give you the next problem. If you were incorrect you have a chance to answer again. If the problem seems too difficult you can tap the “Skip” button and move on. At the top of your screen you will see a running score of how well you are doing. Your time also counts down at the top.

Fast Flash Cards is a simple and effective way to practice math facts. Gone are the days when I practiced my skills with dittoed work sheets and 3×5 cards. I think it’s terrific that kids today are not only kids with the iPhone they’re creating apps of their own for that purpose. Well done Jake!

Price when Reviewed: $.99

See the app in iTunes

Seller: Heis Games

Disclosure: I received a free copy of this app for review

iYuva is an app that was developed to create art. You begin creating by choosing a “swatch”. A swatch is a collection of unusual shapes that will become your artwork. Once you’ve selected your swatch you can drag different shapes onto your canvas. The shapes can be moved, rotated and resized. You may also change their color. When you’ve finished your masterpiece you can save it or share it through email. If you choose to save your picture you can put it in “My Stuff” which is a gallery in the app that can only be viewed by you. Your other choice is to save it to the gallery which is public and open to other Yuva users.

When I began using iYuva I found it helpful to watch the demo that is included with the app. It answered several questions I had about what I should be doing on the screen. We’ve enjoyed using iYuva and although at first I wanted the ability to doodle and draw on the canvas it’s been fun sticking with the app’s shapes and seeing what we can come up with. My one hope for the app is that additional swatches will be available in future updates.

Price when Reviewed: $.99

See the app in iTunes

Seller: Uma Pandit

Disclosure: I received a free copy of this app for review purposes.

The iTunes description of Color-Flashcards states that it was designed for babies and toddlers and I think that description is spot on. This is a simple app that will appeal to the younger crowd. Preschoolers can use it as well but I don’t think it will hold their interest for long. Color-Flashcards consists of exactly that – flashcards for the different colors. There are two flashcards each for red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, brown, black and white. Each flashcard features a colored object , the name of the object and the color name. There is also a band of color on the right side of the card. A small speaker button sits in the lower left corner of the card. When you (or your child) taps on this button they will hear the name of the object on the screen. For example, yellow flowers or red barn. If you visit the app’s settings you can turn on “auto audio”. When this is turned on the name of the object is automatically said when a new flashcard is shown. To see the next flashcard they will swipe across the screen from right to left. Swiping the other direction will reveal the previous flashcard.   

I like the simplicity of Color-Flashcards and the colored objects are appropriate for babies and toddlers. The app does exactly what it says it will but I have two suggestions. The first is to remove the speaker button and develop the app so that the narration happens when you touch any spot on the screen. This would allow toddlers to do the tapping themselves and then be rewarded with the narration every time. My second suggestion is to add the color name to the narration. It’s nice to hear it combined with the name of the object but I think hearing it twice would help reinforce the concept. Just my two cents! Overall Color-Flashcards is very appropriate for little ones.

Price when Reviewed: $.99

See the app in iTunes

Seller: Robert Meier

Disclosure: I received a free copy of this app for review purposes.

Intro to Math by Montessorium was developed by Montessori teachers and parents. The app is beautifully designed and I love it’s look. I’m not familiar with the Montessori methods but I was able to get the hang of most of the activities. Reading the app’s description in iTunes will help familiarize you with the basics. The Intro to Math activities move from basic to more advanced concepts. Your child will begin by arranging simple rods from longest to shortest. Next they’ll work with rods that have numbers on them. They’ll then have the opportunity to practice writing numbers and match those numbers to number rods. The final activity works with number sequences and odd/even numbers.

I quite enjoyed the look of this app, the design is terrific. The sound effects are soothing and there’s no loud and annoying music. For those of us who aren’t familiar with Montessori methods and teachings it would be nice to have instructions within the app. Intro to Math is a bit on the expensive side but it appears to do an excellent job of putting Montessori on the iPhone.

Intro to Math is a universal app that will work on all your devices. I tested it out on my iPhone.

Price when Reviewed: $4.99

See the app in iTunes

Seller: Montessori, LLC

Disclosure: I received a free copy of this app for review purposes.

Mr. Hat is an app for preschoolers that mixes animated videos with games. The app is played through the eyes of a group of children who have entered Mr. Hat’s magical world. Unfortunately a dastardly villain comes along and steals Mr. Hat’s magic cube. With the cube gone the children can’t return home so they need your help looking for the missing pieces. There are four different areas where preschoolers can play games and collect the pieces of Mr. Hat’s magic cube. Each game focuses on a different skill. There is one for counting objects, one for spelling words, a memory game and a labyrinth puzzle. My favorite area was the memory game. Instead of flipping over cards you tap craters on a planet and watch things pop up. Your goal is to tap on the craters with matching items.

When you finish a game you’ll find one of the pieces to Mr. Hat’s Magic Cube. The app keeps track of how many times you play each game and I’m not sure how many times it takes before the children finally journey home. Things I liked about Mr. Hat were the colorful graphics, the memory game, smooth playing videos and a unique concept. The thing I didn’t like about this app was Mr. Hat’s voice, it just didn’t work for me.

Price when Reviewed: $1.99 for a limited time

See the app in iTunes

Seller: Bravo

Disclosure: I received a free copy of this app for review purposes.