Prank Ltd

Metacritic named Ant Raid as the 8th best iPad game of 2011 and currently the game holds the all-time number one spot of iOS strategy games with its Metascore of 90 out of 100. As a celebration to the success and due to the widespread praise of the game’s upbeat music, the company has decided to provide the entire soundtrack for free of charge.

Originally the game was released exclusively for iPad on July of 2011, and on January of 2012 a new version for iPhone and iPod Touch followed. Additionally, Prank published free versions of the game for both iPad and iPhone, featuring 10 unique levels. The original soundtrack of Ant Raid can now be downloaded from the game’s official website right here.

Enjoy!

Ant Raid for iPhone
Developer: Prank Ltd.

Rated: 9+

Price: $0.99 Download

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Those familiar with the network of interstates, highways, and municipal roads crisscrossing the continental United States have no doubt learned the hard way that not all roads lead to home. Most lead to small towns, dead ends, and someplace you definitely didn’t intend to go. This is where maps come in handy. And the advent of GPS has revolutionized the way modern man travels, especially when it comes to using roadways to get from here to there. But most map apps are meant to show you the shortest or fastest route, which to a motorcycle lover’s mentality isn’t necessarily the best way. Unlike travel by car, taking the two-wheeled iron horse often involves choosing roads more for the scenery or the challenge of the ride rather than for expedience.

So thank goodness that Greatest Road came up with an open-road app specifically for those that would rather reach their destination by cruiser or crotch-rocket than family vehicle. But what can this freebie offer to riders? It started out with 3,000 rides, or routes preferred by bikers, all of which can be rated. But what really makes this app a gem is that you (and other users) can add routes to the map, which can then be rated by other riders.

You can search by area, distance, and rating to find the greatest roads, and you can even read (or add) information pertaining to road conditions, hazards to watch for (potholes, hairpins, or cops with radar), and places to stop and stretch your legs. And it links up to Facebook so that you can post your favorite stretches for friends to check out. Of course, the best thing about this app is that the more people use it the better it gets; there are currently over 4,000 routes that have been added by users!

The long and short of it is that this app was created specifically with motorcycle riders in mind, and the fact that it has so many options for the very people that use it to improve it just shows the forethought of the designers. So if you’re looking to throw on your motorcycle helmet and leathers and hit the road, make sure that you take your iPad and this app with you. It could make for some of the best rides you’ve ever had.

Greatest Road Motorcycle Rider GPS Road Finder
Developer: Greatest Road Software

Rated: 9+

Price: free Download

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Editors Note

Evan Fischer is a contributing writer for Jafrum, where you can find the hottest items in biker apparel.

Mini Motor Racing loads vehicles reminiscent of your favorite micro racers with an impressive array of nitro-fueled features: fully upgradeable cars, day and night races in various weather conditions on 20 different tracks with multiplayer support for up to 4 racers. The game features crisp, colorful high resolution visuals, flexible car control settings, in depth car upgrade paths, a choice between 4 different default vehicle types (sports, hatch, big-rig and pick-up) and a series of race-circuit cups for the lengthy single player campaign to go along with multiplayer. Mini Motor Racing supports Game Center for social gaming, as well as WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity for 4 player multiplayer.

The free trial version includes a variety of races and upgradeable cars using the game’s prizing system, for players to get a feel for the robust Mini Motor Racing experience. Moving to the full version opens up the fun of all tracks, car unlocks, in-app purchasing for procuring sponsorship career cash and multiplayer modes.

As a side note, Mini Motor Racing for Android is expected to release through in the coming weeks, but that’s besides the point.

Mini Motor Racing
Developer: NextGen Reality Pty. Ltd.

Rated: 4+

Price: $0.99 Download

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1. Freelance Classifieds. Those that love ODesk will be sadly disappointed by their app, which pretty much redirects users to the browser to search jobs, but this brand new freebie could provide a solution for any consultant that could use a few more clients. It lets you browse listings on multiple freelance sites, enter a laundry list of search criteria, and then wait for the app to deliver results. The app is still in beta (aren’t they all?), but it’s definitely worth a look while it’s still being offered for free.
2. SG Project Pro. This app is by no means cheap, but user reviews claim that the $39.99 price tag ($4.99 for the iPhone counterpart) is worth every penny (and as a consultant, you can write it off!). Gantt aficionados will find themselves at home in this app and although there are a slew of tools at your disposal, the user-friendly nature of the program will have you creating and editing timelines, prioritizing task schedules, setting risk levels, and communicating with multiple groups in no time. As a bonus, the app now links up to Dropbox for easy access to and sharing of project files. This is a must-have for any serious consultant.
3. Dropbox. This well-loved freebie is essential for anyone working in multiple locations. All you have to do is install the software on your computer and your iPhone to start uploading files (docs, pics, videos, etc.) that you want access to wherever you are. Sounds simple? It is! And as mentioned above, coordination with SG Project Pro means you can add applicable files to your saved projects and easily share them with clients.
4. QuickVoice2Text Email. At $2.99, this useful app is a bargain, especially in states with hands-free cell phone laws. With clear voice recording you can easily send audio messages or save “notes to self”, but the talk2text feature is what really wows. According to users, it delivers word-for-word accuracy, something that other apps promise but ultimately fail to deliver, so you can be sure that the message your record translates perfectly into the text that clients receive via email.
5. GetPaid!. Anyone offering contractor services has likely faced a problem or three when it comes to getting paid for work. Whether your issue has to do with managing a timesheet, ensuring that invoices are accurate and complete, or tracking payments over the course of a project (or from multiple clients), this app will help you to keep all of your expenses, payments, and accounts-owing under control so that you never lose a penny (and all for just $4.99).

Editor’s Note

Thanks to Evan Fischer for this quest post. He is a freelance writer and part-time student at California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks, California.

1. Dropbox. Okay, so you’ve probably heard of this great free app before, but that doesn’t make it any less great, especially for the avid business person seeking an easy way to transport files. So forget about lugging around a briefcase full of hard copies or a hefty laptop bag. Your lightweight and compact iPad can now be your receptacle for any files (docs, pics, and videos) that you need to bring to the office or a business meeting. Just upload from your computer and access via iPad application.
2. Keynote. When you manage a small business, meetings and presentations with clients, partners, and employees are often part of the package. Luckily, Keynote has got you covered (for $9.99). You can create slide shows at your leisure and then present them to a small group on your iPad, say at a business lunch, or to a larger group, like a board room or conference setting, using additional hardware (a dock connector or VGA adapter) to project images onto a monitor.
3. Skype. Has there ever been a better free app for business than this amazing communication tool? Whether you’re running off WiFi or you’ve got a 3G version of the iPad, this freebie actually lets you call, text, and even video conference with clients and employees from anywhere. You may find yourself leaving your iPhone at home when you travel once you download this app to your iPad.
4. Hootsuite. Any business that has yet to implement a marketing strategy via social media is woefully behind the times. And since most companies support a variety of accounts on social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter, Foursquare, and LinkedIn, this free app is a must. You can use it to schedule and send updates to your various accounts as well as monitor different features (click stats, keywords, and more).
5. Pages. Whether your goal is to reach a broader consumer base through online fliers, apprise current customers of new products or specials, create reports for partners and clients, attract recent business MBA graduates to your team through targeted ads with the top online MBA programs of 2012, or even write new content for your website, this handy app can help you to quickly and easily design a slew of docs with advanced layout tools that are nonetheless user-friendly. With great user reviews and a cost of only $9.99, this app is a best buy for any business that could use simple yet ample document creation services at the drop of a hat.

Editor’s Note

Thanks to Evan Fischer for this quest post. He is a freelance writer and part-time student at California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks, California.

Let’s start with apps that help anyone visiting an unfamiliar city, since they can benefit both vacationers and business travelers (not to mention locals looking to branch out from their favorite spots). One of the best apps out there is Urban Spoon, and if you don’t yet have it you are definitely behind the times. It can benefit anyone who likes to (or has to) eat out, thanks to features that help you search by city and food type. But what you’ll really love are the customer reviews that can help you compare establishments by rating (and find out which dishes to try).

Another good one along these lines is Foursquare, and this app is a bit more comprehensive. It can not only tell you where to find eateries, but it can also direct you to hotels, gas stations, clubs, and literally any type of service you might need during your time away from home. Plus, it can provide for some diversion from the drudgery of travel. You can check in at any establishment you visit (or come within range of) and if you go more than once you could even become the mayor of that venue! In most cases, this will only provide you with some measure of fun, but businesses that choose to use this social networking travel app to their advantage may offer special deals or discounts to those that check in frequently (or even once). And like Urban Spoon, you can see notes left by other visitors.

Of course, you have to get to your destination first, and there are lots of apps to help you here, as well. You should start by downloading Kayak. This app allows you to compare hundreds of travel outlets in order to find the best prices on flights, hotels, and rental cars. And you can use it to track your flight status, manage your itinerary, and look up related information (airline/airport contact info and even baggage fees). But just in case you run afoul of delays or worse, cancellations (or even if you want to catch an earlier flight), you might also want to download Next Flight, which can help you make new travel plans on the fly (so to speak) from anywhere (even the airport).

Finally, you’ll want to ensure connectivity wherever you go (so you can access all your great travel apps in order to find dining establishments, lodgings, or cheap car hire services), and Wi-Fi Finder is the way to go. It can help you to find hotspots in 135 countries, and if you download the Skype app you can talk to family and friends back home without wasting mobile minutes or risking roaming charges!

Editor’s Note

Thanks to Evan Fischer for this quest post. He is a freelance writer and part-time student at California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks, California.

For the avid sports fan, there is simply no such thing as too much time spent watching games, tracking teams and players, and even engaging in fantasy leagues. So if you’re looking for ways to get the latest buzz about your favorite sports, even when you’re on the go, here are a few fantastic sports news apps that will give you more info than you can shake a stick at (or a bat, or a golf club, or a stick-shift – you get the idea).

1. ESPN Score Center XL. For all-around sports lovers, ESPN delivers the goods with this app that offers updates on all of your faves. Whether you like football, basketball, baseball, soccer, hockey, or all of the above (or other sports), this app can keep you up to date with box scores, stats, and standings. And you’ll also have access to previews and game recaps as well as video highlights and play-by-play from games in progress. Could a sports fan ask for more?
2. NFL Pro Tweets. While there are tons of apps that will give you the latest news on America’s most popular sport, you can get some added value from this one that follows what your favorite players are tweeting. You can get the players’ takes on the outcome of games, the “Tebowing” phenomena, or even stuff that’s going on in their personal lives. And if you have a knack for reading between the lines, you might even spot game-changing events before they hit the news wires.
3. NCAA March Madness On Demand. This app provides you with unlimited access to NCAA games year after year (although you’ll have to check in with iTunes at the start of the season to download the current year’s app), so for all the ballers out there looking for courtside seats to watch their favorite college teams, there’s no better way to go. Whether you can’t make it home in time for the start of a game (and you want to watch from the office) or you’re keen to replay your favorite games (from this season or prior years), college b-ball is just a tap away on your iPad.
4. Hockey Buzz. Fans of the Hockey Buzz weblog will likely be pleased to learn that they can now access hockey news and rumors from their favorite site, on the go. Whether you’re prepping for the draft, following your favorite players, looking for updates on games in progress, or trolling for off-season rumors, this is the app that will help you track the best sport on earth! If you are one of the many fans that loves to go to a fight where a hockey game breaks out, this app is a must.
5. NASCAR Junkie. This aptly named app for NASCAR lovers will let you mainline everything race-related by compiling news feeds from a dozen informative sites (with the ability to add any sites that you don’t see or delete the ones you don’t like). Stay updated on the current NASCAR schedule with race reminders, get access to the latest news and stats, and share content with friends via email, Facebook, or Twitter. This is THE app for devotees of the second most popular sport stateside.

Evan Fischer is a contributor for Men’s Daily where you can catch the latest in sports, health, entertainment, and much more.

1. iTriage. Have you ever wished you had the expertise of ER docs at your disposal without the hefty medical bills that accompany an actual trip to the emergency room? Well, this app is probably as close as you’re going to get. You can use it to identify health issues (based on symptoms), learn about diseases, and find suitable doctors and facilities in your area, as well as information pertinent to procedures related to your condition (including descriptions, costs, and complications). They even offer a list of health-related hotlines. In short, it provides the average Joe with the comprehensive information that would normally require a bevy of health-care professionals to impart.
2. Lose It!. This freebie is a must for anyone looking to lose a few pounds. The program is pretty basic; you simply enter meals and exercise in order to track calories in, calories out, and extras like carbs, fat, protein, and more. But you also get access to a database of foods, healthy recipes (you can save your faves), and an online community for sharing and support. There’s no better way to weight-loss success (except perhaps spending beaucoup bucks to join a program).
3. Zombies, Run!. Although this clever game won’t be available until February, it’s bound to be on the watch list for gamers looking to get in shape in 2012 because it basically brings exercise into the gaming experience. All you have to do is select a mission and put in your ear buds to get the feel of being chased by zombies (what better motivation to run than the prospect of losing your brains to a shuffling mob?). Best of all, the GPS in your favorite iDevice will tell you how far you’ve gone and how many calories you’ve burned while escaping from zombies. For those that want a more serious jogging app, try RunKeeper, which has been cited by users as one of the best health apps for runners.
4. Walgreen’s for iPad. Many people have to rely on prescription pharmaceuticals in order to remain healthy, and this handy app can help. You can scan prescription barcodes (or access your account) to order refills and peruse weekly ads to find OTC medications on sale. Both will ensure that you have the treatments you need on hand and that you never overpay.
5. Dental Expert. One part of a comprehensive healthcare plan that many people neglect is their oral health. Even those with benefits through their work or discount insurance (such as a Careington dental plan) may neglect their teeth, gums, and preventive care. But this app will help you to see the error of your ways and give you great information on how to improve your smile, sustain oral health, and understand your treatment options.

Editor’s Note

Thanks to Evan Fischer for this quest post. He is a freelance writer and part-time student at California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks, California.

1. Magic Wallet. Rather than being that person who notoriously flaunts ridiculous and useless apps (like the bro stache, beer, and guitar featured in a recent Geico video), make your friends look twice with this magic trick that requires the use of your phone to complete. Viewers will see a collection of jumbled coins on your screen, at which point you will put your finger behind your phone (viewers will see it going into your virtual piggy bank) and when you pull it out, you’ll produce real money. You can even tip the phone over and real money will fall out! Okay, so this isn’t a particularly difficult sleight of hand to figure out, but it is a good place to start (and at $2.99, it won’t break your real piggy bank).
2. iForce. Another one at the $2.99 price point, this fun app will let you read the minds of your family and friends. Of course, this is one where you don’t necessarily want the “trick” revealed, so no spoiler alerts here. You’ll have to purchase it in order to find out how it works. But suffice it to say, it will no doubt make for some fun party entertainment as well as a great way to break the ice.
3. Magic Lesson. While you could spend a lot for books and videos on how to perform basic card, coin, and rope tricks, this app brings you several classics for only $3.99. This is a great springboard for novice performers with step-by-step guides that include photos and video. It also includes pointers for improving your performance technique, including how to present the tricks and speak in a way that helps you to misdirect the audience.
4. Magic 101. This app is not only great because it is free; it also opens your eyes to the antics behind some of the world’s greatest tricks and magicians (like Copperfield, Angel, and David Blaine). With tricks for both beginner and intermediate levels, you can start small and advance to more complex prestidigitations, with the option to purchase more tricks at any time (for real money, unfortunately). And close-up videos reveal every detail of the tricks that have puzzled you in the past. Any magician London to Las Vegas will love this fun and easy app.
5. Marty’s Psypic. This one has been around for a while, but it’s still good fun since you use it to convince viewers that they are communicating with the dead. It features an old black and white photo to start. The viewer will either pick a card or an animal, at which point you zoom in and then zoom back out to reveal the viewer’s pick in the photo. It will cost you $2.99, but users that have reviewed this app all found it to be one of the best iPhone magic tricks out there.