Today's Best Apps: Endless Surf And Ken Burns
Endless Surf by Lemur Software ($0.99, 18.9 MB): This sequel to the "original iPhone surfing game" will get you amped on a new level of realism. As a starting point, your character has moved beyond being the bobble head boarder to a male or female rider having that stereotypical sculpted bodacious bod. More importantly though, the now truly three-dimensional environment allows for actual elements and maneuvers, including totally taking on the tube, carving around sharks and buoys, as well as collecting stars and executing aerial tricks for the highest score. The game features 3-D graphics, tropical soundtrack, touch and tilt controls, competition and free play modes in two locations, Game Center leaderboards, storm-themed power-up, standard longboard and unlock able pro level shortboard, plus color customizations.
iPad:
Ken Burns by Ken Burns Media, LLC (Free, 25.6 MB): Entertainingly learn about some interesting recurring themes in American history through this story-style compilation by renowned documentarist Kenneth Burns. To make the multi-piece picture clearly evident, the acclaimed director and producer has selected several clips from his decades of documentary films and assembled them into chronological playlists. Nevertheless, the app's elegant 2-D interface allows you to approach the experience however you desire. Either tap a playlist name at the top or browse all of the handpicked footage using one and two finger gestures to pan and zoom the uncategorized timeline, then just drag any button upwards to reveal every segment belonging to that collection and enter the playlist. The Innovation playlist is available at no charge, though Art, Hard Times, Politics, Race, and War require an upgrade to the full version via a $9.99 in-app purchase.
