I'm a full-time mummy

I came across the press release about this new app and decided to request for an opportunity to review it after checking out the app details from the website and iTunes store. I was happy to receive a very prompt reply from one of the co-founder of the company who generously sent me a promo code to redeem the app for review. Yeayyyyy!! Anyway, my review as below...

* Title: Interactive Alphabet - ABC Flash Cards
* Price: $2.99
* Category: Education
* Updated: Oct 31, 2011
* Version: 2.1
* Size: 101 MB
* Language: English
* Seller: Pi'ikea St. LLC
* Rated: 4+
* Requirements: Compatible with iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. Requires iOS 3.1.3 or later

Description from the product page:

"Every letter is a unique, interactive toy! Play the xylophone on the 'X' card, make the 'D'inosaur roar, 'Z'ip the Zipper, etc! It is a hands-on, memorable learning experience for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers!

Features:
* Universal app for iPad/iPhone/iPod: You can use it at home or on the go! Buy it once, take it everywhere.
* Fun original artwork, animations, music, and sound effects engage and capture your child's curiosity
* Memorable and unique interactivity keep your child coming back for more
* Fun and upbeat Original Music -- keeps you dancing, not wincing (parent friendly!)
* Our very own Alphabet/ABC song included!
* Baby Mode option (Auto advances cards every 15 seconds)
* Phonic Sounds
* Upper and Lower-case letters "

Other information:

I always love trying out apps that teaches my children things. There are people who presume that iPad is a bad thing. I mean, if you know how to use it effectively and in moderation, it can be useful and educational! Of course, if you let your child play games on iPad with no educational benefits, then you won't reap the benefits of the apps and off your iPad.

Now as for this app, I absolutely love it! It teaches alphabets in a very very fun and creative way! I find myself gravitating towards the app every time Ben and I go for our iPad sessions.

What's good?

* It is engaging and interactive and I love that we can also touch the objects for each letters of the alphabets on the screen and there are animations appearing as well from each letters!

* I love the illustrations and the colors used are very attractive and enticing! (Ben and I actually fought over who can press the letters of the alphabets and see what animations came out)  

What's not so good?

* I would prefer if the animation does not start until the narrator pronounces the letter and the word for it. Currently, the moment you touch the screen, the animation will start immediately. Because of this, the narrator's voice gets drowned out and is not as effective.

* The animation is so engaging and addictive, how could my boy finished learning from A to Z? Check out the video below where he goes from letter F back to letter E...

You can purchase the "Interactive Alphabet - ABC Flash Cards " app from the iTunes App Store.

I am so excited to be able to hold this giveaway for my lucky blog followers and readers! SIX of you (yes, yes, SIX!!!) are going to win a copy of this awesome and fun app to play on your iPad or iPhone! You will absolutely love it! Now, let's read below for the giveaway terms and conditions OK?

* Eligibility: OPEN WORLDWIDE!

* Giveaway expires on 31st Dec 2011 (Malaysia time)

* You must fulfil the mandatory entry 1st (which is to provide your valid email address & answering the question), else you will be disqualified

* Winner will be randomly drawn using Random.org and will have 48 hours to respond to my email notification or a new winner will be drawn.

* Winner will receive their prize sent directly by your awesome mummy blogger here as I have the promo code ready to be redeemed.

To enter the giveaway, kindly click at the link shown below and the entry form will appear in a new window:

* INTERACTIVE ALPHABET GIVEAWAY ENTRY FORM *

(Link has been disabled when entry closes at 12 midnight past 31st Dec 2011)

It'd be great if you could leave me a comment once you have submitted your entry so that I can check and ensure it's safely tracked into my database. So what are you waiting for?!! Hurry up! You have more than 1 month time from now to join in the fun and try your luck!

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"

Earlier this month, I received an email from Sean, the the creator of O Story Story which is a series of digital picture books developed for preschool aged children after I saw their pitch on Twitter. After some email exchange between us, I was offered the opportunity to review their app! Anyway, my review as below...

* Title: Wendy's Giant List
* Price: $2.99
* Category: Entertainment
* Updated:  Nov 10, 2011
* Version: 1.0.3
* Size: 62.2 MB
* Language: English
* Seller: Endemol USA, Inc.
* Rated: 4+
* Requirements: Compatible with iPad. Requires iOS 4.0 or later.

Description from the product page:

"Wendy’s Giant List is a wonderfully fun interactive picture book for pre-K children. The story contains 26 pages of beautifully hand drawn illustration, nearly a hundred interactive touch points and an embedded match game. Narration is accompanied by highlighted words to reinforce word recognition. Developed to support the young reader. This story is sure to please kids and parents alike! "

During our first try with this app, Ben lost his attention within 5 seconds and goes on to play with his other toys. I continued on with the app myself and realised why Ben reacted that way. He does not get the connection as the main character in this app is a little girl. No, we're not being sexist, just that Ben reacts better if the character is a boy or has boy stuff in it (cars, trains, robots etc)

I tried the app again with him a week later (under the Read to Me mode) and voila, he sat still and listened to the story from the beginning till the end. I kept his attention on the app by asking him to point out objects in the page as story goes along.

Ben even repeated some of the things mentioned in the story like when Wendy's mum asked her whether she's ready for her nap, and Ben said 'Mummy asked nap?'. I was surprised that he listened attentively and tried to repeat what he heard.

Later in the day, we tried the app under 'I Can Read' mode and there are more things to be discovered! Objects with a small heart icon on it can be touched and will display either the sound or actions. Really cute!

What's good?

* It is engaging and interactive and I love that we can also touch the objects in each page on the screen.

* I like the storyline of how many things this little girl by the name of Wendy did before she finally got ready for her nap, kinda like my toddler, so I guess in that way, my toddler can relate himself to Wendy hehehe...

* I totally heart the illustrations, simple hand drawing but has a very whimsical feel.

* I also like the matching game that comes along with this app and Ben is slowly getting the hang of this game.

Room for Improvement?

* I would prefer if the animation moves slower in the 'Read to Me' mode. 

To summarise this review, I'd say this app is going to last for a long time on our iPad as there are so many things to be discovered over and over again everytime you go through the book! I can't wait for their next series to come out and hopefully will be given the opportunity to review them too! *hint*hint*

You can purchase the " Wendy's Giant List " app from the iTunes App Store.

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"

Early this month, I received an email from Mary who is working for Fraser regarding this app. In her email, she mentioned that this app was designed for children between the developmental ages of 3 and 10 and was created in partnership with dentists, oral health professionals and families.

I decided to review it as I would like Ben to see for himself how children take care of their oral hygiene. Anyway, my review as below is based on the walkthrough of how to have a good oral care at home...

* Title: My Healthy Smile
* Price: $4.99
* Category: Health & Fitness
* Released: 02 October 2010
* Current Version: 1.0
* Size: 21.9 MB
* Language: English
* Developer: Fraser
* Rated: 4+
* Requirements: Compatible with iPhone, iPod touch and iPad. Requires iOS 3.0 or later.

Description from the product page:

* A social scripts app designed for children developmentally between the ages of 3 and 10 to teach good oral health and to make dental visits more comfortable.
* Especially good for children with autism or developmental disabilities; could be used by adults with developmental disabilities.
* Offers 11 audio and visual social scripts in a mobile format that is easy to use in everyday situations.
* Topics include: having your teeth cleaned, taking X-rays, getting fillings, losing a tooth, brushing, and healthy eating.
* Created in partnership with dentists, oral health professionals and families.
* Compatible with iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad. requires iOS 3.0 or later.

More info from the iTunes Store product page:

"The My Healthy Smile app was developed through a grant from Delta Dental of Minnesota to teach children about good oral health and to ease anxieties around dental visits. This app offers 11 audio & visual social scripts to show children what to expect at the dentist and how to have good oral care at home. Topics include: having your teeth cleaned, taking X-rays and getting fillings, losing a tooth, brushing and healthy eating. “My Healthy Smile” is designed for children between the developmental ages of 3 and 10. The use of social scripts works especially well for children who have autism or developmental disabilities. Created in partnership with dentists, oral health professionals and families."

I have mentioned before how good an app to me is based on how often Ben goes back to playing and/or using it. And as for this app, oh well, Ben listens to it almost every day! Whenever I asked him what he wants to play on the iPad, he goes 'Ceh-ceh (sister in Chinese) brush teeth!'

What's good?

* I like that the display does not get affected or blurred even when I use the double size setting (2X) for my iPad as the app was developed for iPhone use.

* The app is very easy to use, you can either click at the 'Dentist Office' (for walkthrough on what to expect at the dentist) or 'At Home' (for walkthrough on how to have good oral care at home)

* I like that the visual walkthrough features children around Ben's age as he can relate himself to the example shown.

Room for Improvements?

* I would prefer if the narrator speaks slower in the 'Read to Me' mode as I realised my toddler started being confused when the pictures changes when he was still trying to understand what he heard.

* I would prefer if the Home icon goes back to the available topics under 'Dentist Office' or 'At Home' instead of the current setting which goes straight to the main screen.

Summary:

Although this app was especially good for children with autism or developmental disabilities, that does not mean we should avoid trying out this app.

I personally feel that this app is very helpful and educational regardless of the child's condition. Ben has been more eager to practise his brushing and although we have yet to try the dentist walkthrough (he is afraid of doctors), I believe that in time, Ben will be more receptive to it.

You can purchase the "My Healthy Smile" app from the iTunes App Store.

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"