Articles and Reviews by Barbara Holbrook

Grabl is a word-building strategy game that will appeal to those brainy types who prefer a shot of adrenaline with their morning crossword.

One of the newer edutainment apps to hit the marker is MonsterABC, an alphabet primer with a monstrously cute theme.

How do you like AppCraver's new look? Thanks to Encore, this week's premium sponsor, we're ready to host a world-class casino night. Chips, check. Whisky, check. Aces securely tucked away, double check. Unfortunately, we've found it's pretty hard to cheat at Video Poker, but if you like Vegas-style entertainment, Encore currently has two games in [...]

iCaption (Funny Pics - FAIL Signs, plus more!) is an iphone application for all you Dane Cook fans out there — meaning I don't think it is remotely funny or even tolerable but I guarantee some of you out there will. With that tender opening aside lets get to the meat of this slap stick [...]

Hulala iPix — pronounced like a tropical version of oo-la-la — is another image decorating app that invites users to "bling up" their photos and share them with friends via Facebook or email. The hook here is that within the generally expected images of stars, swirls and fanciful frames, there is also a large selection [...]

Orbital, the new space-themed app from BitForge, is a stand-out game that can be played with one hand. It falls loosely into the brick-breaker category, but takes this straightforward concept adds a few new ideas, a bit of social media and packages it all up with gorgeous graphics. In fact, it's so polished that I can't immediately [...]

I wasn't too sure I could test the Disneyland iGuide by Walkee without a visit to the "happiest place on Earth." However, since my app purchase did not include a ticket I realized I'd just have to give it my best shot. So, mouse ears in place I prepared to be imaginarily whisked away. To my [...]

Each collection in Zamodo's new line of iPhone Wallpaper apps features 10 clean, vector-y, candy-coated artworks designed to look like faces. They have just the right dash of whimsy and cool to give your device a little attitude that says, "I may ride the waves of popular culture, but I'm still a kid at heart."

iBalls:Steel — So, by now you've had some time to play around with TightWire. And you may be thinking, "Hey, I've got this accelerometer thing down!" I'm so good, I should get PAID for this. Well, ok maybe you can. If you like accelerometer-based games or the chance to earn money, then you should rush [...]

Have you ever been stuck mid-sentence because you don't know how to refer to that group of wild boars crossing the expressway? Or spent sleepless nights wondering what type of insanity might make a man think he is an ox? Then, pay close attention to uKnowit. uKnowit, the trivia app from Baba Ganu, is a [...]

If you think you've got what it takes to master the accelerometer then plunk down your dollar and play with the big boys on the TightWire.

InvestCalc is a handy calculator app that (unsurprisingly) provides users with the ability to calculate how their money might grow over the life of an investment. The app can also calculate debts such as long-term loans and provides an amazing amount of financial insight for $0.99. InvestCalc has screens for three types of financial holdings [...]

Photo hunts are one of those "no instructions necessary" kind of games that can be played alone or with friends. As such, they're hugely popular both online and off. If you're familiar with any of the variety of PC games or touchscreen bar games, then you'll know what just what to do when you pick up 4Bugs [...]

There seems to be a correlation for me lately... The shorter a game is, the longer I play it. And this is certainly the case with Swine Time, the newest release from Vito Technology. If you're lucky, a game of Swine Time will take 30-60 seconds to play. Most of the time a round lasts [...]

kobeFit — They say variety is the spice of life and this is especially true when it comes to fitness. Not only will varying your routines keep you motivated, but it's also a beneficial training technique. But how do you keep track of your different routines? And, how do you keep on schedule when you [...]