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Today's Best Apps: React Messenger, Skee Ball Arcade And Reverb

Today's Best Apps: React Messenger, Skee Ball Arcade And Reverb

November 21, 2013
The App Store takes delivery of hundreds of new apps per day. The overwhelming scene makes it possible to easily overlook an exciting game, valuable productivity suite, etc. However, we have a solution. Today’s Best Apps tackles this problem by providing you with a handpicked and tested list of apps that are truly worth your consideration each and everyday. Remember: Even though in-app purchases typically require your iTunes Store password for processing, you can further prevent them and other unauthorized actions by enabling local restrictions using the passcode locked iOS parental controls

iPhone:

React Messenger by React Inc. U.S. (Free, 4.0 MB): Add some real emotion to your text-only conversations by using this expression-centric instant messenger. One of the issues with communicating just via words is lack of body language, a key component that sets the mood and provides other indicators. As a fix, someone invents emoticons. The simple cartoon-like characters are useful and can be extra fun, however, not always effective or flexible. But wait, our pocket communicators, err smartphones, now have quality front-facing cameras. So, we can capture ourselves laughing out loud at your auto-correct fumbles, having that angry look when you show us you're relaxing on the beach while we work, and more. In fact, every message has a selfie attached, or a double-take, both a reaction photo and whatever we're seeing. Alternatively, you could go back and forth just sharing crazy looks to show those feelings. The app features an iOS 7-style user interface, very limited chat history, and requires registering for a free account. NOTE: Data usage is far greater than typical IM clients due to regular image transfers. I recommend Wi-Fi connectivity and monitoring cellular data consumption.

Universal:

Skee Ball Arcade by Scopely - Top Free Apps and Games LLC (Free, 52.2 MB): In this latest creation from the talent that brought us Dice with Buddies and Mini Golf MatchUp, experience the classic arcade action as you compete against friends, family, and random strangers. Just swipe to fling those skee balls down the lane. You may slightly manipulate the ball's trajectory by tilting your iDevice, plus apply power-ups, such as the Straight Shot, and multipliers to perhaps give yourself an edge. As a final perk, some machines have hidden bonus boards, for example, replacing the target holes with a Price Is Right-style wheel you must strike using a skee ball. The game features 3-D graphics, fun sound effects and subtle techno tunes, a variety of machines to play on, a token-type rewards and power-up payment system, huge daily tournaments, multi-match support with push notifications, and in-game chat. Registration of a free account or link to Facebook is required.

iPad:

Reverb: Discover, Read, Share & Collect. Effortless, Personalized Discovery by Reverb Technologies, Inc. (Free, 11.1 MB): This topic-focused app allows easy ingestion of the news that matters the most to you. Rather than just organizing articles into very general topics, browsing is done by keyword filtering, similar to how Jinni approaches TV shows and movies. For some examples, you could view all of the health new or narrow it down to only weight loss, quickly see what's being reported regarding government spending, discover the recent gossip about a specific celebrity, or filter things down to your local state. Obviously, this efficiently narrowed perusing includes the full spectrum of latest news, but the experience primarily has been designed towards personalization. The Me section is a place to access and manage your curated collection of interests whereas the Friends area scavenges your social feeds and displays the news shared by those you trust. Along with a clean iOS 7-inspired user interface, the app features a history log, an alternative article-centric viewing mode, as well as related post suggestions when reading articles.

Mentioned apps

Free
React Messenger
React Messenger
React Inc. U.S.
Free
Skee Ball Arcade
Skee Ball Arcade
Scopely - Top Free Apps and Games LLC
Free
Dice With Buddies Free
Dice With Buddies Free
Scopely - Top Free Apps and Games LLC
$2.99
Dice With Buddies
Dice With Buddies
Scopely - Top Free Apps and Games LLC
Free
Mini Golf MatchUp
Mini Golf MatchUp
Scopely - Top Free Apps and Games LLC
Free
Reverb: Discover, Read, Share & Collect. Effortless, Personalized Discovery
Reverb: Discover, Read, Share & Collect. Effortless, Personalized Discovery
Reverb Technologies, Inc.
Free
Jinni My TV & Movie Guide
Jinni My TV & Movie Guide
Jinni

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