iPad App Review & Giveaway - OrganiDoc HD

~ Posted on Monday, March 26, 2012 at 11:02 AM ~

Last year, I got myself an iPad so that I can use it to read my e-books at night and also as an educational tool and entertainment gadget for Ben. But there are times when it's really cumbersome to store the data into the iPad.

Take movies for example, we have to convert it into a proper file type before we can play it on the iPad (oh please don't ask me the details of this, I'm a user not a techie person).

Another example is PDF documents. I'm currently using another app which allows me to store the PDF files on my iPad but every time I try to load a PDF say, like above 7MB or so, the app hangs. Hence I have never been able to read any e-books with that size on my iPad (and I ended up slouching in front on my laptop at night to read those e-books)

So when I received a pitch asking me to review this app, I went 'Okay, this might be what I need! I shall give it a try!' So here you go, my review as below...

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* Title: OrganiDoc HD
* Price: $4.99
* Category: Productivity
* Updated: Dec 20, 2011
* Current Version: 2.7.5
* Size: 11.5 MB
* Language: English, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Spanish
* Seller: Wenjoy Technology Inc.
* Rated: 4+
* Requirements: Compatible with iPad.Requires iOS 4.2 or later.

Description from the product page:

"iPad is just like your personal data hub. So, you definitely need a powerful file management app to manage docs, pics, videos saved in iPad or email. OrganiDoc HD provides you a wonderful way to browse docs, pics, videos in different user interface. A protected area is designed for users to save private data and keep it a safe way. In addition, OrganiDoc HD even integrate popular internet cloud disks such as Dropbox, Google Docs, MobileMe iDisk, box.net, Soonr...etc. So, now you can manage all your files scattering in different storages into one app. "

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* Adding the documents into iPad - This is an easy step, I just need to connect my iPad to my laptop using the USB cable. Sign on to iTunes and look for 'Apps' under my iPad name, then click at 'OrganiDoc HD' and start adding the documents into iPad.

* Organized documents & files - The documents and files added into my iPad are organised according to its file type. Documents likes PDF files, Microsoft documents are placed under the "Doc" tab while images are placed under the "Photo" tab and videos are placed under "Media" tab.

* Converting and running media files at the same time - One cool thing about this app that I like is it's ability in converting wmv, flv, f4v, rm, rmvb, avi, mpg, asf, mkv, 3gp video files to iPad playable mp4 or audio-only mp3 files.

I added a .flv file into my iPad and it actually asked me whether I would like to convert the file when I tried to play the video. During the conversion, I can still play other video files (look screenshot below, I can still watch the recording on my girl playing my iPad)

* Housekeeping & management of the documents & files - I like that I can delete, rename, share, move and set the documents and files to protected type. If you look at the screenshot below, I have decided to delete away the .flv file after the app has converted it into the .mp4 type. Easy peasy!

I played around with the password features, protecting and unprotecting some documents. It's really neat to have the ability to protect certain documents and files on my iPad while allowing the rest to be shared.

* Information of the documents & files - I like that I can also view the document and files' information!

* Printing of the documents & files - There is also a function that allows me to print out the documents and files if I wanted. Cool!

* Sharing the documents & files - I think this function is an important feature, one that sets it apart from other apps. When I mentioned this app to my hubby, he showed me one app he got for free which allows him to share his documents via WiFi. I told hubby that this app also allows me to share documents via WiFi and after comparing the apps, hubby is pretty impressed as well!

And I'd like to add that this app looks so much better with it's easy on the eye interface and design layout. The sharing process is easy as well, just need to take note of the URL shown on the app and key in the same thing on the other device (like my hubby's iPad or laptop) and you can start sharing the documents already (this is provided you are in the same WiFi area and you have the permission to access the WiFi)

To sum up my review, this is a very useful app, I get to store all my documents and files into my iPad without needing to worry about not able to open up the file (due to file format or file size issues) and not to mention, I can also be protective (with the password settings) or generous (in sharing the files out). Cool!

* Note: I didn't try out the cloud storage access and unzip support as I didn't use those features.

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You can purchase the "OrganiDoc HD " app from the iTunes App Store.

I am so excited to be able to hold this giveaway for my lucky blog followers and readers! FIVE of you lucky people are going to win this awesome app! You will absolutely love it! Now, let's read below for the giveaway terms and conditions OK?

To enter the giveaway, kindly read and follow the instructions as stated in the Rafflecopter form below.

  • You can enter either via login through your Facebook account or just key in your name and your valid email address.
  • Please also leave your valid email address in the post comment so that I can contact you if you win this giveaway.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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I received no monetary compensation for this review, I was provided with the promo code by the sponsor to redeem the application for free from iTunes Store in order to facilitate my review. All opinions expressed in this post are my own. Please do your own research when purchasing products, as your opinions may differ from mine. And if you'd like to read my previous iPad Apps reviews, you can do so by reading this post of mine called "My iPad App Reviews"

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iPad App Review & Giveaway - Magic Doodles HD

~ Posted on Monday, March 26, 2012 at 8:14 AM ~

I received an email from Phinest Apps asking whether I would be interested in reviewing this app.  When I saw the app info on iTunes Store, I was intrigued and decided to review it. Anyway, my review as below...

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* Title: Magic Doodles HD
* Price: $0.99
* Category: Education
* Released: Mar 09, 2012
* Version: 1.0
* Size: 10.7 MB
* Language: English
* Seller: Gurvinder Singh
* Rated: 4+
* Requirements: Compatible with iPad.Requires iOS 3.2 or later

Description from the product page:

"Magic Doodles is an innovative doodling application for kids where doodles you draw come to life with magic. Kids will be amazed when their drawings come to life with animation and sound effects. "

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What's good?

* I like this app! It's so cute and creative! I mean, I'm really not good in drawing things and yet, just a simple doodle on the screen and you get to see your doodles come alive! How awesome is that? And to watch the look on your child's face when your doodles come alive! Awesome!

Yup, I drew a little chicken inside the egg template...

The chicken hatched from the egg when you pressed the Play button!

* There are 24 pages available for you to play and doodle on!

* I think it's neat and I do believe this app will help encourage creativity and enhances our imagination!

* You don't need to be good in drawing to be able to use this app!

Room for Improvement?

* I would prefer if the Reset or Refresh button be placed further away as I find myself constantly (and mistakenly) pressing the button instead of the Play button.

* I think it would be cooler for this app if there is an option to email or save the picture drawn.

* I also think it would be good if the Eraser button is able to clear certain areas instead of the current setting which is to clear everything being doodled on the page.

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You can purchase the "Magic Doodles HD" app from the iTunes App Store.

I am so excited to be able to hold this giveaway for my lucky blog followers and readers! THREE of you lucky people are going to win a copy of this awesome and fun app to play on your iPad! Now, let's read below for the giveaway terms and conditions OK?

To enter the giveaway, kindly read and follow the instructions as stated in the Rafflecopter form below.

  • You can enter either via login through your Facebook account or just key in your name and your valid email address.
  • Please also leave your valid email address in the post comment so that I can contact you if you win this giveaway.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I'm a full-time mummy

I received no monetary compensation for this review, I was provided with the promo code by the sponsor to redeem the application for free from iTunes Store in order to facilitate my review. All opinions expressed in this post are my own. Please do your own research when purchasing products, as your opinions may differ from mine. And if you'd like to read my previous iPad Apps reviews, you can do so by reading this post of mine called "My iPad App Reviews"

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(** Article first published as Book Review: Phillipa Knickerbocker Glory & the Ice Cream Castle by Sarahjane Funnell on Blogcritics.)

I came across a Tweet message by the author asking for bloggers to review her upcoming book and as usual, I will first check out what the book is about and then browse around the website and author's info. The first thing that struck me when I landed on her website was:

Purple

I LOVE ALL THINGS PURPLE!

And seriously... ICE CREAM?!

How can I say no to purple colored things and ice cream?! And look at that adorable and cute little girl? I immediately replied the Tweet message with my interest to review it and to my surprise, the author was prompt and soon enough, the book arrived at my doorstep oozing with cuteness and oh my, oh my.... just read my review for the "Phillipa Knickerbocker Glory and the Ice Cream Castle" book below, OK?

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Title: Phillipa Knickerbocker Glory and the Ice Cream Castle
Author: Sarahjane Funnell (Author), Amie Bilsby (Illustrator)

Publisher: Gibson Publishing (26 Mar 2012)
ISBN-13/-10:  978-0957081130 / 0957081138
Paperback:  32 pages
Dimension:  27.4 x 20.4 x 0.4 cm

Description from the product page:
"Phillipa loves ice cream. She loves ice cream almost as much as she loves her pet cat Little Miss Whiskers. Little Miss Whiskers is her fluffy white cat with a purple collar and bell. She doesn’t like ice cream at all but loves nothing more than to curl up into a ball and fall fast asleep on the end of Phillipa’s bed.

One day Phillipa Knickerbocker Glory and Little Miss Whiskers embark on a deliciously exciting journey. Through a secret tunnel, they enter a magical dreamland where they find the Ice Cream Castle and discover every flavour of ice cream imaginable. The Ice Cream Castle seems like a dream come true but will it be just how Phillipa imagined? With all that ice cream, will she and Little Miss Whiskers ever want to go home? Find out just what happens in this deliciously delightful adventure… "

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'Fun, fun, fun!' is all I can think of as I flipped through this book! Each page that I turned just got me more excited and anxious to see what's coming up next and boy oh boy, the pictures included in this book is just gorgeous and droolworthy! 

Although Ben is into boyish stuff (robots, trucks, cars, soldiers, ninja those sort) this book manages to capture his attention because of:

ICE CREAM!!

He sticks around long enough for me to read the book and we oohs and aahhs over the gorgeous pictures. My girl on the other hand is still too young to understand the storyline but I'll definitely be keeping this book and introduce it to her again later.

The book is not too thick and I love the paper quality and as for the storyline, it is about a girl named Phillipa who loves to eat ice cream and enjoys looking forward to Saturday which is a special treats day where her mum will make her the Knickerbocker Glory ice cream which is made of all different kinds of ice cream and toppings.

One day as Phillipa was having a hard time deciding which colors and flavours to try on her Knickerbocker Glory ice cream, she decided to close her eyes and when she opened her eyes, she was in this magical place with all kinds of colors and flavours and she found herself standing in front of the Ice Cream Castle.

I'll not explain more of this book, you should go get it and find out yourself what happened to Phillipa at the Ice Cream Castle!

In summary, this is an easy to read book with beautiful illustrations that will capture your child's heart (Ok, ok, even mine!)

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You can get this book from Amazon or at http://www.phillipaknickerbockerglory.com/shop/.

I am so excited to be able to hold this giveaway for my lucky blog followers and readers! TWO of you lucky people are going to win this awesome book! SIGNED! You will absolutely love it! Now, let's read below for the giveaway terms and conditions OK?

To enter the giveaway, kindly read and follow the instructions as stated in the Rafflecopter form below.

  • You can enter either via login through your Facebook account or just key in your name and your valid email address.
  • Please also leave your valid email address in the post comment so that I can contact you if you win this giveaway.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I'm a full-time mummy

I received no monetary compensation for this review, I was provided with a copy of the book by the author in order to facilitate my review. All opinions expressed in this post are my own. Please do your own research when purchasing products, as your opinions may differ from mine. And if you'd like to read my previous book reviews, you can do so by reading this post of mine called "My Book Reviews"

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