Amazon's Free App of the Day - Aporkalypse: Pigs of Doom

written by: Nick Kosmides

Another late Amazon Free App of the Day update from me, but another awesome free game from Amazon.  How can you be mad at me, this game is worth the 99 cents they wanna charge.

Great graphics using a very basic palette in a game where you control a fat hungry pig out to stop an apocalypse - err aporkalypse - with the help of some other porky friends on a grid patterned world.  The object is to move square by square to the end of the level.  With puzzle elements creating the challenge and some 30 levels keeping you coming.

I've only just scratched the surface of the game, having only freed the first of my pig friends.  He appears to be a tank pig, aka War Pig.  The first pig was Hunger Pig and he is used to eat bales of hay then spit them out.  There was actually an eat button followed by a spit-up button.  Hilarious!

If you enjoy humorous puzzlers with subliminal "America is fat" jokes then download this game pronto.  I may have made that last part up, though given that the company is from Giebelstadt, Germany and Bucharest, Romania and another of their free games is called Super Dynamite Fishing where the protagonist is a redneck America breaking the law on a daily basis to impress a woman, I feel I may be accurate.

Aporkalypse: Pigs of Doom - $0.99 FREE

Amazon's Free App of the Day - Turbo Grannies

written by: Nick Kosmides

Ironically, Turbo Grannies involves only one granny.  The name suggests there are multiple grannies in the game yet there is only one.  No multiplayer of any kind will be had.  There is no mention of at least unlocking more grannies, hence justifying the title.  Though a proper playthrough is needed to confirm this anomaly.

Turbo Grannies is indeed free today.  A simplified yet beautified version of Excite Bike for Android featuring a whopping three courses.  Navigate your racing granny using her scooter through the Mountains, Suburbia and Desert tracks.

Though Turbo Grannies is yet another free game to add to your collection, it may not be all that fun with so many complaints pertaining to the sluggish or unresponsive tilt controls.

Turbo Grannies - $0.99 FREE

Amazon's Free App of the Day - mSecure Password Manager

written by: Nick Kosmides

mSecure - Password Manager is a very successful iPhone app available for Android free today, offering localized password storage among other nifty features.  As this is a tough app to review due to the current state of digitized personal information storage with large companies like Sony, I'm simply going to list the key features as they appear on the Android Market page for this app:

KEY FEATURES 

✔ Native Android look and feel
✔ 256bit Blowfish encryption to protect the confidentiality of your data
✔ Full landscape support (can be disabled if not desired)
✔ Password protection with hint feature
✔ Premium user interface features like collapsible section headers and Optional viewing mode by record type or record description
✔ User customizable type templates with unlimited fields
✔ Integrated search capability for quick record look-up
✔ Self-destruct mode to delete your data after given number of failed attempts
✔ Password Generator for strong passwords
✔ 144 colorful icons for personalization of item types
✔ Full-sync with mSecure for Windows or Mac (separate purchase)
✔ Import and export data from various file types (with mBackup) 

mSecure on the Android Market is receiving very positive reviews.  Its also interesting to note that the app advertises a free download of mBackup for Mac or PC with purchase.  This is not stated on the Amazon Appstore for the same app listed at the same price.  In fact, the details spread is not nearly as complete as on the Android Market.

So, for the complete listing of features, visit the Android Market.  Then, return to the Amazon Appstore for the free download today.

mSecure - $4.99 FREE

Amazon's Free App of the Day - Office Jerk

written by: Nick Kosmides

Let's cut right to the chase.  I downloaded this app right away as I usually do for these free apps, and the first thing I did was play it.  And the last thing I did was also the first thing I did, right before I uninstalled it.  The round trip time was a total of three minutes.  Lets see if you can beat that.


Office Jerk is a game very much like a series called Flick Kick on the Android Market.  Use your finger to guide an object from the bottom of the screen to a destination in the environment.  The app takes into account the speed and the length of your finger swipe to determine where the object will land.  This is easy except for the added challenge of variable wind.

This is not an original game, nor is it a good copy.  If I were Amazon, which I'm not, I would not be advertising this game let alone as an "Exclusive launch".  Office Jerk is no where near the caliber of any PopCap or Rovio game!  I did post a review for this app on Amazon's site and warned people that they may be forced to give it a 1-star rating after downloading simply because its that bad.

Try it if you have absolutely nothing better to do.  Seriously, think about what I just said for at least 10 whole seconds before you decide.

Office Jerk - $0.99 FREE

Amazon's Free App of the Day - TaskKiller Pro

written by: Nick Kosmides

TGI...wait, damn it!  It's only Thursday.  Though, by the time you read this your work day will be over and you will be stuck in traffic somewhere waiting for that tasty dinnertime meal of room temp left overs and hopefully a tall glass of Guiness left over from your last party.  No you won't, because that's my evening!  Ha ha!!!  All except for the traffic.  Gotta love unemployment.  Its the bees knees.

TaskKiller Pro is today's free app from Amazon.  Please don't ask me why there isn't a proper space between the words "Task" and "Killer" even though the second letter "K" is uppercase.

Grammatical issues aside, I cannot recommend this app to everyone.  Who I can recommend this to are Android users with any OS prior to 2.2.  As with Android 2.2 or higher the system manages battery consumption and background processes in the most optimized manner without any external task killers.  Just read the reviews and you'll get this hint.  This is also the case with almost every task killer on the Android Market.

These apps were at one time a necessity.  With older Android operating systems there was no task killer or battery management system built in to the OS.  Along come these apps and people began screaming hallelujah.

One thing is certain, if you feel your battery isn't lasting as long as it could here are a few options for you to consider, none of which are magic cures:

- reduce your use; change your habits and reduce how much you are on your phone doing whatever.  Turning devices on/off constantly, powering the screen, connecting to cell and data towers, even constant wifi use all add up to daily recharges.

- crack the whip; tell those apps you don't want to see then running in the background by adjusting their settings.  Most apps have settings that ask for your permission to run in the background and often times these settings are enabled by default.  Look for notification preferences or sync options.  Crack the whip!

- uninstall unused apps; the simple fact that they are on your phone allows them to open themselves all willy nilly.  When cracking the whip doesn't work then there is something else in the app, maybe an overlooked permission, that is allowing it to operate in the background.  Many people say this can happen to help quick start apps as well.  Though if you do not open a particular app for a very long time then this should not be the case.

- ignore it all; just pretend for a week that you don't know anything about apps running in the background.  Try a little bit of everything above until you get to this last ditch effort and just ignore it all. This will help calm you about this whole app killing thing and let you face the real tough challenges in life.  Just say to yourself "Killing is bad, life is good."  (results may vary)

Got anymore system resource saving advice?  Post it in comments, please!

TaskKiller Pro - $1.99 FREE

Amazon's Free App of the Day - Pac-man

written by: Nick Kosmides

Pac-man is one of those games that should need no introduction, no explanation, and no profitability.  It should be free to everyone who has a social security number, free for being born.  A gift from Namco for joining us on earth, a type of fruit we can all juice.  Ok, I've lost it a bit on that one.

My point is thankfully its free today, but I can't honestly say I would ever pay $4.99 for this thing.  Especially given that the controls are the #1 problem with it.  This applies to all touch screen versions on Android and iOS.

Now that the dust has settled, please just go get what's owed to you and yours.  Tell your friends and family to download Pac-man today.  Its just the right thing to do.  Its our birth right to bare no-arms and eat pellets all day.  Go...go now.  Before the ghosts get you.  And if you're wondering, the ghosts aren't gay because they are brightly colored and after your big yellow ball.  They are gay because they choose to be.

Pac-man - $4.99 FREE

Amazon's Free App of the Day - Plants vs. Zombies

written by: Nick Kosmides

Pop Cap Games has fulfilled their promise to bring Plants vs Zombies to Android devices care of the Amazon Appstore, finally.  In the famous words of someone I knew, "Its been a long time coming."  And it has.  Plants vs Zombies was released on PC May of 2009 and saw its first portable port to iOS devices in February of 2010.  A year later it was released on PSN, DS, DSi and even as plush toys!  Now we can add Android to that list.  But come on!  Plush toys came out first!  (Check out what other unique PvZ stuff has come out here...)

Now that we have it, what's the big deal?  Well, I was a non-believer and swore I could never get into this game.  I played it once and have completely reversed my thinking.  Its awesome!  Funny, witty, slow yet quick.  If you've never played it, do yourself a favor and don't start now unless you completely finished playing Uncharted 2, because this may replace that.  I can't think of an XBOX 360 equivalent to the awesomeness that is Uncharted 2 because there just isn't one.  We'll just use Call of Duty to save the argument.

We do have a problem with this new release.  It isn't all roses and carnations growing in this pot.  If you own a Droid X, Y, or Z you may not be able to play.  Other unplayable devices on the product page include Samsung Transform and Intercept, HTC Aria, HTC MyTouch 3G, Sony Ericsson X8, Sanyo Zio, Kyocera Echo, and the LG Ally.  There are no specifics as to why these devices have been singled out of the plant on zombie carnage, but as we all know by now, these apps must be optimized for each device.  And same goes for Apple's iPhone and iPod line.  There are now enough iOS devices and versions to exclude certain models in certain apps.  My 2nd Gen iPod isn't compatible with the latest iOS 4.x and therefor I can't download quite a bit.

If Plants vs Zombies is on your wish list at all, jump on this freebie today and today only, before the Amazon cash cow eats your brains!

Plants vs. Zombies - $2.99 FREE

Amazon's Free App of the Day - Gaia GPS

written by: Nick Kosmides

With all this connectivity and wireless-ness in today's devices people seem to have forgotten how the early settlers and trailblazers got around, instinct and maps; paper maps.  Gaia GPS aims at bringing mountain bikers and hikers alike the old topographical maps of yore for downloading and viewing on your Android device.

Don't confuse this with Google Maps or even compare it, because the maps part is where the similarities end.  Gaia accesses many different map services for users immediate needs when hitting the back country.  MyTopo, Cloudmade Topo, OpenStreetMap Road, Cloudmade Road, Cloudmade Shaded, and Midnight are the available map sources.  Don't ask me about them, cause you'll just have to toy with them yourself.  I did discover they deliver different types of maps.  Some topo backcountry and some provide streets or trails.

Save maps to your SD card so you can nav without a 3G/4G data or cell connection.  This is the defining difference against Google Maps.  Much like a true GPS unit.  Never get lost again.  Unless your battery dies, whoops.

Gaia GPS - $9.99 FREE

Amazon's Free App of the Day - Cardio Trainer Pro

written by: Nick Kosmides

Today's free app from Amazon happens to be the most expensive freebie every gifted to the masses.  At $9.99, Cardio Trainer Pro is not your typical exercise app.  With 40 different ways to get fit, using this means you want to put order in your exercise routine where there is chaos.  A chaotic routine isn't much of a routine at all.

After telling Cardio Trainer Pro what exercises you want to do and when, it will alert you when its time to get moving.  Beginning a workout will start the map and introduce you to all sorts of tools that don't exist on Google Maps normally.  The level of accuracy can be tailored to your GPS signal to get the best line drawn during your trek across whatever countryside you choose.

While setting up my biking routine for the week I noticed the ability to sync your treks to my Google Health account.  The pro version also includes audio and video feedback during your workout.  Set the feedback at different intervals and have it motivate you until you reach your time or distance goals.

While this is the priciest app available free to us, you must download the Cardio Trainer lite version before using the pro features.  So git to it and lets change the face of America one exercise at a time.

Cardio Trainer Pro - $9.99 FREE

Amazon's Free App of the Day - Yoo Ninja!

written by: Nick Kosmides

Conveniently created by a developer named Runner Games, though published by Wuzla for the Amazon Appstore for Android, Yoo Ninja! (ad-free) is today's free app of the day.

Runner Games doesn't specialize in the Runner game genre, even though you would think so given the evidence.  As for Wuzla, they are responsible for several of their own apps on the Android Market and have generously brought nearly all the Runner Games games over to the Amazon Appstore.  And this seems to have generated some confusion in reviewers.  Though I'm not surprised, because if one were to search for Yoo Ninja you'll find a game of the exact same name on the app store for iOS made by O2sun.  Hmm.

The game is fun and not what I expected.  Having played nearly a dozen or so runner type games, Yoo Ninja is a noticeable and welcomed change in the genre.  Instead of running and jumping over gaps from one platform to another, Yoo Ninja has you running and jumping over gaps from the floor to the ceiling and back again.

This adds a puzzling aspect to the game that otherwise doesn't exist in other runners such as the great I Must Run!

Give it a try yourself for the low low price of nothing!

Yoo Ninja! - $1.99 FREE