Hidden Gems: Snatch, Screams and So Much More

Snatch: Trackpad and Remote ($5.99)

Snatch has been my remote app of choice since August of last year. Now, in recently-updated version 3.0, it offers a killer feature unmatched by the competition - you can make or download customized remotes for specific applications. Install the helper application on your computer, connect your iPhone over wifi and then select your computer from Snatch on the iPhone and it just works. I'm a Mac user, so I can't speak for the experience on a PC, but in reading the reviews I don't think there's much of a difference. Most people, myself included, will probably use this app primarily as a media controller. The cursor is extremely smooth and very responsive. While there are other, cheaper, options for just operating individual media center applications like VLC, XBMC or Front Row, none of them match the power available with Snatch.

I've used Snatch for Hulu, abc.com and many other web video sites. If you've ever watched Lost or another show on abc.com, you know what a pain it is to sit back and enjoy because you have to click continue to get past the commercials. Snatch solves that problem. And then there's the pre-mode remotes. You can go to the repository at Hoofien's Web site and download one of the available remotes. There aren't many yet, but expect the number to grow with time as more people find uses for Snatch. The process for adding a new remote isn't the most intuitive, but it works. You have to find the right spot on Snatch to load a new remote and then go over to the Snatch helper application on the computer and select the file. The helper application sends the new remote file over to the iPhone and you're done. It'd be much nicer if you could simply browse the files on your computer with Snatch. Not only would that make it easier to add new remotes but it could also make it's functionality as media remote far more robust. Much like Apple's Remote app, you could select movie, video files to play on your computer directly from your iPhone. Hopefully that feature is in the cards for the future. I've tested Snatch 3.0 with Front Row and Plex (a Mac-only fork of XBMC) pre-made remote layouts and they both worked flawlessly. Absolutely awesome. I might actually be able to get rid of my physical Apple Remote. But media isn't the only thing Snatch is good for. Dan Romik, the primary developer for Snatch, told me he's heard of many creative uses for his app.

Several users with motoric impairment problems are using it as an accessibility device. A musician has used it in a rock concert with thousands of spectators to control various stage effects from behind the scenes. Educators are using it in the classroom, for presentations and (we heard from one person) to experiment with various interactive classroom games. So now with the new version we have high hopes that people will find even more novel and innovative uses for the new features - essentially using the app in various ways as an automation tool.

I can't wait to hear what sort of uses and remotes people come up for Snatch now that version 3.0 is out. Before moving on to some other hidden gems I have to address the app's name. It engenders such "clever" jokes as this gem from an iTunes reviewer, "The Cheapest Snatch I Have Ever Paid For." Romik had this to say about the name:

I was looking for a catchy name and this came to me... Of course some people complain about it, but it's hard to make everyone happy.

Snatch certainly is a memorable name.

Prank Box Scare Apps ($0.99, free for a limited time)

I covered scare apps a couple weeks ago but I think it's important to revisit them for a couple reasons. For one, I got a chance to actually try out a couple of the Prank Box apps and they are definitely the best in breed. Second, some of them are available free for a limited time. I tried out Scary Castles and Hearing Test (links open in iTunes). Scary Castles requires intense visual focus while Hearing Test suggests you to use headphones so people will listen closely. Scary Castle is free right now, so definitely give it a try. The results of look something like this:

I'm very happy my fiance didn't drop my phone when I tried it on her. I'm still waiting for someone to videotape a phone's untimely demise because of these apps. I can't wait.

THI Personal Trainer($0.99 on sale), THI Personal Trainer Lite (Free)

Personal fitness and weight management are a very competitive category on the iPhone. THI Personal Trainer offers a pretty impressive feature set for a very low price. It includes a variety of workouts that focus on specific parts of the body. When you click on the workout you would like to try you can read a description of the proper way to perform the exercise, watch a short video showing you how to do it correctly, look at an interactive 3D view of the body that highlights what muscles are targeted in the workout and you can record how many reps you actually perform. The lite version includes six predetermined workout plans that break down how many reps to perform and how much time should be spent. A timer is included for tracking intervals. If the selection of workouts don't quite interest you, you can create your own custom workout. The best thing about this app has got to be the video clip included with the specific exercises. Reading a description is fine, but I never know if I'm actually doing the exercise correctly.

Excuse Me (Free)

Exuse Me might not necessarily be the first fake call app, but it works great and it's free. Open the app and tell it that you want a fake call in 30 seconds and put the phone away. Very shortly your phone seems to ring and the fake call is indistinguishable from the real thing. There's someone talking on the other end that sounds like Simlish (fake English) but is convincing to anyone nearby. There's a $1.99 version with more features.