Here are three great iPhone apps to enjoy. Google unleashed their official YouTube app into the iTunes App Store to replace the original Apple-bundled version that’s likely to be deprecated in iOS 6. We’ve also got an update to Feedly which presents your favorite RSS news feeds in a handsome magazine-like format. Finally, there’s Frutorious, a fun and colorful slingshot platformer with plenty of fruit-filled goodness.
YouTube (Free)
What’s it about? If you get a new iPhone 5 or update to iOS 6 it’s likely the in-built Apple version of YouTube will disappear, so that’s why Google launched their own dedicated app.
What’s cool? We wrote up about this release yesterday, but if you missed that, here’s the lowdown. The new YouTube app lets you enjoy Google’s vast catalog of videos including official music videos. It’s easy to subscribe to channels you love or access your subscriptions with the channel guide UI. The app also makes it simple to share videos with friends via email, Google+, Facebook or Twitter.
Who is it for? You’ll probably want to download this new app if you upgrade your device to iOS 6 or if you’re lucky enough to get your hands on the new iPhone 5 being announced today. But, even if you don’t, the mobile site is HTML5-optimized and easy to view on an iPhone.
What’s it like? Clearly, YouTube is the big daddy of video sharing apps and websites, but there are other options out there like Vimeo, VEVO or Ustream.
Feedly update (Free)
What’s it about? Feedly has gone through a major redesign and now presents the news in a familiar magazine format.
What’s cool? The app was once just a better way to view your RSS feeds, but its dramatic new design turns it into more of a Flipboard-style reading experience. However, you still have control over which RSS feeds you want to add, and it syncs with Google Reader, too. Feedly co-founder and CEO Edwin Khodabakchian said “we need to go beyond simple RSS and focus on the overall experience,” according to TechCrunch.
Who is it for? Some users of Feedly will appreciate the spiffy new design, as you still have control over your RSS feeds, but some die-hards may not appreciate it. However, as a smart, fast and efficient way to consume the latest news, Feedly works very well.
What’s it like? The obvious comparisons to Flipboard, Pulse News and Google Currents are inevitable. Feedly clearly wanted to make their app have a more consumer-friendly magazine-style look and feel.
Frutorious (Free)
What’s it about? Frutorious is a new (and free) bouncy arcade slingshot platformer that is both cute and colorful.
What’s cool? It’s up to you to reunite Mr Fruts with his wife, but an evil skull named Pedro and his goofy bad guys are trying to stop you. The control scheme is slingshot-based, so you fling Mr Fruts around the screen and swipe to change his trajectory while in the air. There are 36 levels with 72 more available via in-app purchase.
Who is it for? Fans of platformers and games with a slingshot mechanic should get a kick out of Frutorious. But frankly, how can anyone not love a game in which you turn into a wacky and invincible fruit magnet called Frutorious F.I.G. once you collect enough fruit?
What’s it like? The slingshot element reminds me a bit of games like the far older Must.Eat.Birds or the more recent To-Fu: The Trials of Chi.
