Developer:
Hyperspace Inc.

Compatible with:
iPhone
iPad
iPod Touch

Requires:
iOS 4.3 or later

Price:
Free

Available here

I feel like real estate tycoon is one of those universally appealing job titles. I mean sure, according to the History channel’s lineup, any ordinary blue collar position can apparently draw national interest, but the life of a real estate magnate will always hold a certain mystique that other careers just can’t touch. Personally I believe it’s got to be the “Monopoly” effect. That game caused people everywhere to realize that given the opportunity, they will compete for hours with their closest friends and relatives just to acquire a prime piece of property, even if it’s through greed and devious cut throat means.

Now, thanks to developer Michael Tseng, the thrill of real estate wars via a game are back in a big way. His new app “Turf Geography Club” (or just “Turf”) uses a loose relationship with “Foursquare” to allow users to check in to their favorite places (“Foursquare” can also be used to add new properties and check on current ones). But unlike “Foursquare,” the goal isn’t to become a virtual mayor. The mission here is instead world domination, as users look to own the property they check in at.

It works like this. You go to your favorite spot and check in. This gives you coins. Got friends? Good. They can help you earn even more coins by checking in too. With these coins you can then purchase a virtual recreation of that property. Not only that, but since it’s yours, you can spend coins on it to make new additions like signs, condo extensions, and all manners of random item enhancements that make the spot  uniquely yours. Once you’ve built your property up, you have the option to sell it at a higher value to other players, and use the profits on new ventures.

I know what you’re thinking. Doesn’t this mean that one player could conceivably get ahead of the game and own an entire city? Well they could, if it wasn’t for the slot system. See, if you notice a bit of property that you want, but someone else owns, you can steal it from them by using coins to buy a slot pull. If you win the slot pull, you take the property. If you lose, you try again. The more a player spends on a property, it becomes much more difficult to steal it from them. Also if the owner doesn’t keep up with things like repairs, the property becomes easier for others to take. It’s a game about timing and management, with the end goal being to control your own world, and maybe a few other pieces as well.

Like I said, “Foursquare” has been running with the idea of checking into your favorite places for a while, and other apps like “My Town” have let users create their own world from real world locations for years. Where “Turf” pulls ahead of the competition is through its style, and its simplicity. “Turf’s” 8 bit art style makes it immediately visually appealing, and the level of unique customization options available reminds me of “Team Fortress 2″, a game that illustrated the effect that a deep level of add on’s can have to a game’s longevity. Also the design insures that users in small areas aren’t left out of the fun, as one user can grab an iron grasp on the hottest property in town, with everyone working to snatch it from them, as they continue to build and build it putting it further out of reach. The appeal for major city users is, of course, more obvious, as the entire metro area (from bodegas to bars) becomes a virtual battlefield for those seeking total domination.

I’ve covered a few fun apps here so far in this article, but “Turf” is the only one so far that I’m ready to call a must have for any reader. Not only is it built from a solid background derived from “Foursquare,” but it’s incredibly obvious from all of the little design decisions present that the team behind “Turf” is ready to make this app their own thing. Personally, I can’t wait to see what both user contributions and developer additions are going to do to an app that is already poised to become a sensation.

In a game that’s all about properties, “Turf” has already snagged a lofty one that no amount of slot pulls could ever take away from it. That’s its place as my app of the week.

Developer:
Hollr, Inc.

Compatible With:
iPhone
iPad
iPod Touch

Requires:
iOS 5.0 or later

Price:

$0.99

Available here

With all of the entertainment and social distractions that smartphones provide, it’s hard to remember that they were originally conceived with the simple intention of providing a tool to help the hyper active through their lives. In that respect, there are a few essential apps that everyone must have on their phones, no matter how far the technology may have come. They’re apps like schedule planners, calendars, and metal band name generators, which have all become standard regardless of the user.

But just because an app is standard, though, doesn’t mean it has to be ordinary. Consider the weather app on your phone. Everyone has one, everyone uses it, but unless you’re one of those guys who spends their free time watching mudslides in Honduras on The Weather Channel, using the basic weather app probably doesn’t constitute the highlight of your day.

Thankfully Hollr, Inc. and their app “Solar”, are looking to change that. “Solar” provides all of the usual weather information (current temperature, forecast,etc), but does it in a genuinely engaging way. Using a minimalist design, “Solar” uses a dynamic color palette on each half of the screen to represent the current weather conditions. The top half shows the weather, while the bottom half reveals the temperature, producing a stylish visual for your phone. Scrolling up on the app provides a forecast for the day, that also modifies the screen design appropriately to match the expected weather, and scrolling down gives you the three day weather report. Extra functionality is provided by double tapping on the screen to set up multiple weather locations, which can then be accessed by scrolling left and right on the app. More than any single feature though, the main selling point of “Solar” is its ability to turn one of the most basic features on your phone, into the most stylish.

Even though this app is discounted right now to the low, low price of 0.99 cents, you probably have some reasonable doubt about buying a weather app when so many good ones are available for free. Plus, for all of its incredibly slick design features, “Solar” still does include the standard text read-out weather temperature as its go-to measurement, and lacks some of the more specific details of competitive apps. But the fact is, you really only have two options for how to check the weather each day. Like a guy who’s trying to see if he needs an umbrella, or:

And if you fall into that later category, the only way to really do it is with “Solar”, my app of the week.

Developer:
Twist and Shout Inc.

Compatible With:
iPhone
iPad
iPod Touch

Requires:
iOS 4.0 or later

Price:
Free

Available Here

Do you know somebody that’s just impossibly perfect? They’re always impeccably dressed, are constantly in a good mood, and never seem to be late?

That last one’s just not natural. I mean, I rarely intend to be late (unless its work, school, or dreaded social obligations), but things just happen sometimes. Yet for as inevitable as running late is, it still manages to complicate your life in tremendous ways, as the act of running late has seemingly become socially understandable, but the acceptance of having to wait on someone running late has not. So what’s the answer? Do we all just work to become that perfect individual who leaves on time, anticipates delays, and keeps to their word?

Well, thanks to the new app Twist, such self improvement is no longer necessary. Twist recognizes that you’re going to be late no matter what amount of traffic, directions, and planning apps you already have on your phone. Rather than combat the inevitable, Twist simply helps you adjust your life to accommodate it. Using a GPS system, Twist allows you to see exactly where your friends are en route to you, or vice versa, and can alert you as to their progress. Not only that, but the app provides an estimated arrival time, as well as functionality with other applications. An example would be if you see your friend is lost. You could use your phone to then send the appropriate directions from their exact location (especially helpful as it keeps them from having to use their phone in traffic, or in the middle of a crowded street). More than just serve as a social convenience, though, the developers of Twist are also using it in an effort to cut down on dangerous acts like texting while driving.

Very few of us can get through the day without meeting somebody, somewhere, in some fashion. Besides the life saving features it incorporates for people running late, Twist also allows for a tremendous level of communication between people meeting up, even if the timing is right. While it’s another app that borders somewhat on stalking if used in the wrong hands, it does mean we may finally be able to end the sitcom scenario of being late for your date and madly scrambling to keep them in touch regarding the wacky events that transpired leading to your tardiness.

For that, this is a no brainer app of the week.

Compatible With: Android 2.2 and up

Price: Free

Available here

When I was a kid, there was nothing cooler than pro wrestling. Turning on the TV to find larger than life individuals with cartoon personas wailing on each other to the delight of packed arenas was a sensory overload experience that few programs could match. Over time, though, the program aged, and so did I. Like the rest of the country at the time, I was captivated by the obscene brutality of the “Attitude Era”, and the new stars it created like “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, and The Rock, but after that pro wrestling just lost its appeal.

Still though, I’ve got enough nostalgic love for pro wrestling, that occasionally the right spark can rekindle that old passion for it. This usually happens when I play the “Smackdown v.s. Raw” games, as the series genuinely good multiplayer mode is easy enough for anyone to get into, whatever the source material may be. However, those games have become watered down over the years, as the lack of competition have forced them into such a complacency that the series has lost that light hearted, casual fun aspect that makes pro wrestling, in any format, so entertaining in the first place.

That’s why we need a revolution. “Wrestling Revolution” is an android app that offers a simplified touch control system that allows for all of the basic strikes, grapples, and special moves the sport is known for. It also has the standard match types like 1 on 1, tag team, and battle royals, along with the regular arsenal of usable weapons such as chairs, tables, and title belts. On so many levels, it is your basic wrestling game, just with touch controls that perform well enough to not get in your way too often.

So why is it my app of the week? Because it’s loaded with that pure fun I was talking about earlier. The roster is so good it’s criminal (seriously, you may have to edit some of the names, but the available likenesses make sure you don’t have to stretch your imagination too much) and their vibrant sprites perform a surprisingly good range of animations for the various maneuvers available. This game harkens back to the arcade style of the classic “WWF Wrestlefest”, and is all the better for it. The one feature that’s not a throwback at all, and is actually quite innovative, is the games “episodic” format. While this mode is still a work in progress, it actually boasts  updated weekly storylines that promise to make the game different every time you play it. The feature isn’t quite there yet, but parts of it are still leagues ahead of the same ole, same ole single player mode of its major league counterpart in terms of ambition.

There’s more to the game of course, such as create a character modes and the like, but in the end you want this app because it’s so much pure fun. While I can’t promise that it will make a believer out of non-wrestling fans, for a free app ($.99 for the PPV add-on), if you’ve ever had an ounce of love for the sport, and own an android, you owe it to yourself to give this one a shot. It’s may not be as technically sound as Mr. Perfect, as flashy as a Ric Flair entrance from the 80’s, or a complete revolutionist like CM Punk. It does, however, remind me of Andre the Giant. Obvious, blunt, but consistently entertaining enough to make it an easy app of the week.

Compatible With:
iPhone 3GS
iPhone 4
iPhone 4S
iPod touch (3rd Gen)
iPod touch (4th Gen)
iPad

*Requires iOS 4.0 or greater

Price: $0.99 (Buy it here)

There’s really nothing original to “Jar on a Bar.” Aesthetically, it immediately brings to mind “Angry Birds,” and the basic concept is so dated that they used to call it “Jenga.” But that doesn’t matter, because for a mere 99 cents, you get one of the most addictive puzzlers to come to the app market in some time, originality be damned.

Let me backtrack a bit and explain. “Jar on a Bar” stars a fish in a bowl trapped precariously atop a ready to fall stack of pallets, glass, and other increasingly nefarious obstacles. Your job is simple: Get that fish to the ground and back into the water without breaking the bowl, all while trying to spill as little of the water in it as possible for bonus points. Sounds simple, right? Well, as you can imagine, as the game progresses through its 60 plus levels, things keep getting more and more complicated, until the point that this game of “Jenga” becomes a real mind-twister.

I mentioned “Angry Birds” earlier, and that’s because at its core, the game’s main concept of removing various obstacles to reach your goal is highly reminiscent of that classic app. However, “Jar on a Bar” is more about manipulation than destruction. Its well implemented physics system accounts for everything from weight to momentum, and forces you to master it before you can make any progress in the later stages. You may have to push a block to a certain point to gain just the right leverage, or momentarily put the fish in danger in order to set up the right move correctly. You not only have to consider your next step at all times, but the next several after that as well. It creates just the right combination of on your feet decisions and long term strategy that makes the best puzzle games so memorable, and executes it very well. There is also an in-app store but, while it does feature some cool objects, overall it doesn’t add much to the core gameplay of “Jar on a Bar.” The good news is it doesn’t have to, and it far from hinders the experience.

I could be wrong on this, but I don’t expect “Jar on a Bar” to take over the world like some of the games that inspired it have. However, the 99 cent asking price is a steal, turning this into a must-buy for anyone that has half an interest in puzzle games. Quite simply, it is one of the best and most addictive new puzzlers, and overall app games, I’ve come across in a while, and it is a more than deserving app of the week.

We’ve talked about gadget gifts and stocking stuffers, and here we have two items that are great for the tech-savvy people on your list who like to create music.

GuitarConnect Pro

This cool device from Griffin Technology (pictured above) is designed to work with any instrument that has a ¼ inch jack (including guitars, bass guitars, electric violins, keyboards, etc.), GuitarConnect Pro was created to turn iPad or iPhone into a compact performance or practice rig. A built-in gain control wheel allows the user to adjust the strength of the instrument’s input signal. Users gain a high-quality, all-digital connection from guitars and other instruments directly into GarageBand and other audio apps. It’s a simple yet very powerful device and music lovers will really appreciate it. And, it fits nicely into a holiday stocking!

Korg nanoKEY2

Here we switch to keyboards, which is a very popular way to create music. The nanoKEY2 is built with 25 keys and allows full control of pitch. It’s one of the devices in the NanoSERIES2 which are all compatible with GarageBand. Imagine how much fun music-lovers can have playing around with this device.

Even if someone hasn’t tried to create their own music in the past, devices like these two above offer an easy way to get started. They spur the creative process, and for that reason alone they make great gifts.

We had the opportunity to visit the Monte Carlo Resort and Casino in Las Vegas to check out the new show from the world famous dance crew Jabbawockeez. Jabbawockeez generated some great buzz with shows earlier this year, so we were excited to see them at their new home at the Monte Carlo for the premiere of “MÜS.I.C.” Life was good as we spent some "behind the scenes" time with the crew, attended the incredible premiere and enjoyed the comforts of the Monte Carlo.

The Monte Carlo Resort and Casino is located right in the heart of the Vegas Strip, and this premium location is now even better with the connection to the spanking new City Center/Aria Resort. We were impressed as the staff seemed to be very serious about making the Monte Carlo a major player in the Las Vegas entertainment scene and making the hotel an “all needs under one roof” resort.

We were fortunate to spend our few nights at the Monte Carlo in a Monaco Suite that was well equipped with 700 square feet of luxurious space including a king size bed, one and a half baths, stylish furniture, 32" HDTV flat-panel TV, mini-fridge built into the entertainment center and a staff that was a phone call away 24/7 with excellent service. Dining at the Monte Carlo was also a big hit with our group. On the first night we ate at Brand Steakhouse, which combined the feeling of a classic steakhouse with an open view of the casino for some fun people watching. I ordered the Rib Eye cooked medium and I enjoyed every bite as I downed my dirty vodka martini.

There is also a very exclusive part of Monte Carlo that most don't get a chance to see. The new Hotel32 is discreetly located on the 32nd floor with elevators that you barely notice next to the main elevators. Hotel32 is for VIP guests who enjoy the finer things in life and expect to travel in style and comfort. Guests are treated to incredible penthouse suites that are so comfortable and catered that you never have to leave. The Hotel32 staff is ready to take care of your every need, with full concierge and butler service, preferred reservations at MGM Mirage restaurants and shows, and so much more. The coolest feature has to be the red iPod Touch that is loaned to guests when they arrive so that they can easily communicate all their needs and desires to the staff through a cool app.

After checking out all that the Monte Carlo and Hotel32 have to offer, we were ready for the Jabbawockeez premier. Media bloggers had a chance to spend time with the cast on Thursday night, and I found the dancers to be some of the most grateful and enthusiastic performers I had met through the years. These young men are full of positive energy and are symbolic of what hard work and perseverance can deliver for those who are dedicated to their craft. The Jabbawockeez cast is very talented, but their story is even more impressive. They started dancing in each other’s garages in California dating back to the late ‘90s and were crowned champions of "America’s Best Dance Crew," and now they’re starring at the Monte Carlo on the Las Vegas Strip.

The energy and buzz reached a fevered pitch by Friday night at the pre-party at the hip Ignite Lounge, which is right across from the Monte Carlo theatre where Jabbawockeez will begin their run in Vegas. One of the better looking crowds in town brought their own excitement to the pre-launch party that extended outdoors at the footsteps of Las Vegas Blvd. with beats from the show pumping and video playing on a wall between columns that set the stage for the evening. We were then ushered in to excellent seats and enjoyed heart throbbing music to some of the funkiest and well choreographed breaking and popping one could imagine! The performance kept me riveted and I really enjoyed the stories told through dance and dynamic teamwork the Jabbawockeez displayed through some very difficult stunts. There is also a certain mystery that surrounds the show as all cast members wear the same white mask. The performance leaves you with the illusion that the expressions change on the faces of the masks. The Jabbawockeez team sinks or swims with each other as they are nameless and faceless until the show is complete. Whether you are a hip hop fan or just someone who enjoys a great show, Jabbawockeez MÜS.I.C. will entertain and amaze you and have you feeling energized for more Monte Carlo fun! I also found it very clever how the production team even included unexpected music from eras back to Grace Kelly’s “Singin’ in the Rain” along with more surprises you need to experience for yourself.

At the post-party the cast joined their supporters and knew they hit one out of the park as everyone had smiles from ear to ear. There were some notables at this party, as super comedian, impressionist and Monte Carlo headliner Frank Caliendo made an appearance and posed for some photographs. The young and energetic crowd both in the theater and at the party made this night at the Monte Carlo one of the hottest spots in Vegas. If Jabbawockeez continues to nail it like they did at their grand opening, the Monte Carlo will be jumping for Jabbawockeez for years to come!

 

The Monte Carlo Resort and Casino is located right in the heart of the Vegas Strip, and this premium location is now even better with the connection to the spanking new City Center/Aria Resort. We were impressed as the staff seemed to be very serious about making the Monte Carlo a major player in the Las Vegas entertainment scene and making the hotel an “all needs under one roof” resort.

We were fortunate to spend our few nights at the Monte Carlo in a Monaco Suite that was well equipped with 700 square feet of luxurious space including a king size bed, one and a half baths, stylish furniture, 32" HDTV flat-panel TV, mini-fridge built into the entertainment center and a staff that was a phone call away 24/7 with excellent service. Dining at the Monte Carlo was also a big hit with our group. On the first night we ate at Brand Steakhouse, which combined the feeling of a classic steakhouse with an open view of the casino for some fun people watching. I ordered the Rib Eye cooked medium and I enjoyed every bite as I downed my dirty vodka martini.

There is also a very exclusive part of Monte Carlo that most don't get a chance to see. The new Hotel32 is discreetly located on the 32nd floor with elevators that you barely notice next to the main elevators. Hotel32 is for VIP guests who enjoy the finer things in life and expect to travel in style and comfort. Guests are treated to incredible penthouse suites that are so comfortable and catered that you never have to leave. The Hotel32 staff is ready to take care of your every need, with full concierge and butler service, preferred reservations at MGM Mirage restaurants and shows, and so much more. The coolest feature has to be the red iPod Touch that is loaned to guests when they arrive so that they can easily communicate all their needs and desires to the staff through a cool app.

After checking out all that the Monte Carlo and Hotel32 have to offer, we were ready for the Jabbawockeez premier. Media bloggers had a chance to spend time with the cast on Thursday night, and I found the dancers to be some of the most grateful and enthusiastic performers I had met through the years. These young men are full of positive energy and are symbolic of what hard work and perseverance can deliver for those who are dedicated to their craft. The Jabbawockeez cast is very talented, but their story is even more impressive. They started dancing in each other’s garages in California dating back to the late ‘90s and were crowned champions of "America’s Best Dance Crew," and now they’re starring at the Monte Carlo on the Las Vegas Strip.

The energy and buzz reached a fevered pitch by Friday night at the pre-party at the hip Ignite Lounge, which is right across from the Monte Carlo theatre where Jabbawockeez will begin their run in Vegas. One of the better looking crowds in town brought their own excitement to the pre-launch party that extended outdoors at the footsteps of Las Vegas Blvd. with beats from the show pumping and video playing on a wall between columns that set the stage for the evening. We were then ushered in to excellent seats and enjoyed heart throbbing music to some of the funkiest and well choreographed breaking and popping one could imagine! The performance kept me riveted and I really enjoyed the stories told through dance and dynamic teamwork the Jabbawockeez displayed through some very difficult stunts. There is also a certain mystery that surrounds the show as all cast members wear the same white mask. The performance leaves you with the illusion that the expressions change on the faces of the masks. The Jabbawockeez team sinks or swims with each other as they are nameless and faceless until the show is complete. Whether you are a hip hop fan or just someone who enjoys a great show, Jabbawockeez MÜS.I.C. will entertain and amaze you and have you feeling energized for more Monte Carlo fun! I also found it very clever how the production team even included unexpected music from eras back to Grace Kelly’s “Singin’ in the Rain” along with more surprises you need to experience for yourself.

At the post-party the cast joined their supporters and knew they hit one out of the park as everyone had smiles from ear to ear. There were some notables at this party, as super comedian, impressionist and Monte Carlo headliner Frank Caliendo made an appearance and posed for some photographs. The young and energetic crowd both in the theater and at the party made this night at the Monte Carlo one of the hottest spots in Vegas. If Jabbawockeez continues to nail it like they did at their grand opening, the Monte Carlo will be jumping for Jabbawockeez for years to come!