Did you ever think your iPad could find your perfect mate, or save the world from being boxed in (literally)? This week’s best iPad apps answer both questions, and also help you find a Wi-Fi connection when you’ve been bumped.
Jules Unboxing the World ($4.99)
It didn’t take me long to get the hang of rolling Jules around his neighborhood in Jules Unboxing the World ($4.99), and the time it took was worth it. All the people of the world have been captured in boxes, and Jules, some kind of bunny-beach ball hybrid character, must find and free them by rolling into their boxes. Approximately 30 levels of gameplay are presented as a story, and each level is introduced with a beautiful hand-painted-looking screen (much prettier to look at than a crisp, cartoon-y rendering). After all the levels, you can access four endless-play challenges.
eHarmony (Free)
The free eHarmony iPad app brings their famous match-making skills to the iPad (and iPhone) this week with the release of their app this week. Straightforward and uncomplicated, eHarmony’s app allows users to view their matches, view match updates (provided they have communicated with that match), and add photos via the app directly from iPad or iPhone. The app also features a “Tips & Help” section for getting the most out of the eHarmony service, and of course a button to subscribe to the pay version of eHarmony if one wishes to do so.
Service Alarm for iPad (99 cents)
I have the Wi-Fi-only iPad, so I’m constantly on the hunt for free Wi-Fi connections when I’m on the go (fortunately, these days, they’re not too hard to find). Often though, connections can become weak if being used by too many people, and I’ve been bumped off more than once (especially in hotels. They shouldn’t be able to advertise free Wi-Fi access if it’s not a consistent, strong connection). Then, I’m left to constantly check and recheck to see if a connection has become available. The 99-cent app Service Alarm for iPad helps solve that problem. Once connection has been lost, open the app, and it will continue searching for available networks, and when it finds one, will connect and notify you. Unfortunately, until we get multi-tasking on the iPad this fall (fingers crossed), the app has to be left open to operate, so you can’t do anything else with your iPad while it searches, but it does do the job.
Web Feeds HD ($1.99)
There are as many, if not more, feed-reader apps out there than there are note-taking/organizational apps. New this week is Web Feeds HD ($1.99). In a simple interface that mirrors reading your email with Mail, Web Feeds lists your feeds on the left side of the screen (in landscape–in portrait, you have to tap to get the list, like in Mail). Select from your Google Reader feeds to add to Web Feeds, or enter a site’s URL and WebFeeds grabs the feed for you (this one actually works. Many I’ve tried do not). View by summary or see the web page in full right from the app; it can also open in Safari. Share via Facebook, Twitter or by email with a tap, and a variety of other sharing services are also easily available.
Landscaper’s Companion for iPad ($4.99)
I’ve been searching for a really great planting/landscaping app since I first got my iPad. Landscaper’s Companion ($4.99) fits the bill very nicely. It has a huge encyclopedia of plants, trees, grasses and more. Browse by type of plant and see photos, zone and sun requirement information. Some plants’ pages include links to additional information on Wikipedia if available. Most important is the ability to search by entering parameters for type, zone, sun or water requirements and/or growth. Landscaper’s Companion also allows you to add plants to a favorites list.
