Lil' App Review

App reviews, top-5 lists, tuturials, and more.

[lilappreview]

The Last Journey of the Kormet Review

Specs

Platform: iPhone, iPod Touch

Price: $0.99

Developer: BlackCube

Website: Black Cube Facebook

Summary

Rapid levels requiring lightning-fast reflexes. Good for killing a spare moment or two.

Review

DISCLAIMER: I was approached via my website by developer BlackCube and offered a free code for the app in exchange for a review. Opinions are my own.

I like a good twitchy shooter game from time to time. My favorite games of late have been digital board games requiring planning and careful execution (i.e., Pandemic or Age of Rivals), but a game where you just tap at exactly the right moments can really scratch a unique itch for me.

Enter "The Last Journey of the Kormet". This game is developed by Black Cube and listed as sold by Vigo Street Trading, LTD in the App Store. The game has an incredibly simple interface requiring a swipe and tap to navigate the menus. The graphics are very glitchy and reminiscent of an 80's console on the fritz. The music and sounds are a good throwback to those old games as well. Controls in the actual levels are a simple tap to shoot. The catch is you have limited ammo and limited time. Your goal? Shoot the "fragment of the cosmos" to advance, and shoot red gems to unlock new worlds. It doesn't get simpler than this. What makes the game challenging is that your ship speeds across the bottom of the screen over and over (looping) while you try to shoot the blocks. Not too easy, but definitely simple fun.

So far, I really like this game for a quick fix. If I want a longer sitting for gaming, I have other options. This one works well for a minute or two here and there. At a price of $0.99, it's well worth a look. If you are interested in picking this app up, head to the App Store and download it here.

[lilappreview]

AppMatch Review

Specs

Platform: Universal (iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch)

Price: FREE

Developer: AppMatch Team

Website: https://www.appmatch.com

Summary

App recommendations based on interesting questions. Almost like playing "20 Questions" to find an app that suits your mood. Intriguing service.

Review

DISCLAIMER: I was approached via email by a gentleman named Paul L and asked to review this website/service. Opinions are my own.

Sometimes, we'll just want to find a new app. This can lead you down numerous roads. There's sites that post reviews, like AppAdvice or TouchArcade. There's deal sites like AppShopper. There's even plain-old digging through the AppStore (if you're a fan of torture, IMO). AppMatch is a service that wants to make searching for apps less painful, quicker, and more fun overall.

AppMatch gives you a set of quizzes in different categories (food, gaming, photography, etc.) and asked you a series of questions (written rather wittily, I must say) to help you find an app. The process doesn't take long at all, which is very nice. There is one small problem, though: you don't get many recommendations at all. Also, those recommendations are mostly apps you have either heard of, or apps that don't necessarily fit the bill.

Let me explain a bit more. When looking for photography apps, I got results for two apps: Over and Photoshop Fix. I have a good feeling most people have heard of those. Why not show results for less common apps, like Pixomatic? Granted, your mileage may vary when using this service. When I searched for food apps, I got Waze as a result. I guess that's helpful for someone? It's just puzzling.

The service overall has a very interesting premise, but is marred by few app suggestions, some poor phrasing and unnecessary profanity in answers, and not turning up apps that haven't been in the top of their category. Show me new and interesting things I haven't seen, and make the experience more polished. Both of those will go a long way towards making this an extremely convenient and useful tool for app searching. For now, I'll stick to AppShopper and Reddit for suggestions. I will, however, keep my eye on this one.

[lilappreview]

Zombieville USA 2 Review

Specs

Platform: iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch

Price: $0.99!!!

Developer: Mika Mobike

Website: www.mikamobile.com

Summary

Great cartoon style, great controls. Many hours of gameplay. Worth every penny!

Review

This is a bit of a throwback review, as this app is several years old. However, I've found myself coming back it a few times. The game in question? Zombieville USA 2 by Mika Mobile.

Mika Mobile is probably best known for their Battleheart games (the sequel was actually an early review on this site!), but Zombieville USA has also been a successful franchise for them. The cartoon animations have a very similar style to Battleheart, and the controls work just as well. Mika really knows how to make a good mobile experience.

In terms of gameplay, think something akin to the old Final Fight games. You play as a survivor running through various locations with three weapons and a countdown clock. Just run, shoot, and grab cash until the helicopter comes in to pull you out.

There's numerous weapons, characters, and perks to pick from, so you'll be playing for a long time if you want to 100% complete it. It's just a fun and casual gaming experience.

I wholeheartedly recommend this game for your iPhone on the go. It works well on iPad, but I just prefer the phone experience here. One more note: the multiplayer is really nice. Pairing happens fast, and the matches can be a load of fun. Definitely give this app a shot. You'll be pleasantly surprised at how much fun it can be. Check out Zombieville USA 2 on the app store here.

[lilappreview]

Disney Magical Dice Review

Specs

Platform: iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch

Price: FREE (with IAPs)

Developer: Netmarble

Website: www.netmarble.net

Summary

Similar mechanics to Monopoly. Easy to learn. Lots to do outside of the game. Could be a hit with older kids (maybe 8-12 or so).

Review

DISCLAIMER: I was contacted by a representative from Uth702 (the marketing team for this app) and asked to review it with possible compensation. Please know that my thoughts and opinions written here are genuinely my own.

Board games are fun. I mean, who honestly doesn't like a good board game? If you are one of those people, this app definitely isn't for you. If you are like me, it might be worth your time to at least take a look.

The app in question is Disney Magical Dice, from developer Netmarble. The app has a really nice animated opening that gives you a feel for the whimsical style is employs. I'll be honest, there's a lot here to cover, and the tutorial does a much better job than I can! Let's hit the basics and the highlights. Ready?

The game, in its simplest form, is essentially a spin on the classic Monopoly. You roll dice to move around the board and acquire properties. You get income when opponents land on your properties. You win when opponents go bankrupt (or you meet one of the other victory conditions, again better explained by the comprehensive tutorial). This is the bread-and-butter that the app offers.

Beyond the basic game, there's a whole other meta-game involving various resources like extra coins (for your main games), cards to give you more avatars (and increase some odds and stats in the game), gems to speed things up (if you hate waiting), magic beans, goals to meet, daily rewards, and more. There's a ton of stuff going on here, and it entices you to come back for more. The more you play, the better your character will do.

The multiplayer match-making is well done. It doesn't keep you waiting absurdly long periods of time for a game to start, and it really makes the process headache-free.

As for my recommendation, I think the app has a good bit going for it. It's not a bad app at all! I'm pretty sure this would be a hit with kids (maybe older kids and preteens, or maybe more tenacious Disney fans). The graphics, sounds, music, and mechanics all work well. The matches go fast and make you pay attention (or risk losing coins), which encourages faster play. I definitely recommend at least going through the tutorials to get a feel for it. Doesn't hurt to try!

Should you want to check out this digital board game (and why not, it's free!), then head over to the App Store and download it here.

[lilappreview]

Super Space X Review

Extra note I'm back! Sorry for the extended break. I've got a few new apps after this one, along with some other ideas I'm working on. All will be heading this way soon! - CG

Specs

Platform: iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch

Price: $0.99

Developer: Black Cube

Website: www.facebook.com/Black-Cube-1644291175850012/?ref=hl

Summary

A fast-paced callback to games like Asteroids. Smooth graphics and a fun chiptune soundtrack up the experience.

Review

DISCLAIMER: I was approached a few weeks ago by private message on this site by Black Cube and asked if I would like a promo code to get Super Space X for free in return for a review. I definitely appreciate the developer's generosity, but I want to assure you my opinions in this article are genuinely my own thoughts and feelings.

I've always been a fan of games with older aesthetics. Don't believe me? Go back to reviews for games like Colossatron or Goblin Sword. I'm also a huge fan of chiptune music. What happens when you put the two together? Magic.

Super Space X, by developer Black Cube, is a simplistic and frantic game with smooth 60 FPS graphics and an awesome chiptune soundtrack. The goal is somewhat similar to asteroids, albeit with no offensive measures. You use an on-screen stick to move your spacecraft (the Intruder 53X) around a preset zone (that you must stay inside) and just dodge. Dodge asteroids. Dodge giant laser blasts. Just stay alive.

The game gives you 5 lives before you die, and there are chances to earn more through powerups that randomly spawn. There is also a powerup that allows you to temporarily destroy asteroids. I have yet to see either one. I also have yet to get to any of the several different game modes that are available.

The game is quite difficult, and I don't fault the developer at all. I'm just genuinely bad at it! With that said, I have to be honest with you: I really like this game. It's simple enough to play a quick round, and the lure of more modes makes me want to come back over and over. I just want to see what else this game may be hiding!

If you want to check out this pretty neat game for yourself, head over to the App Store and download it here. Enjoy!

[lilappreview]

Viki Review

Specs

Platform: iPhone, iPad and iPod touch

Price: $1.99

Developer: Raureif

Website: www.viki-app.com

Summary

A fast, simple, and beautiful way to search and read Wikipedia entries. Fantastic bargain.

Review

Wikipedia is one of those sites that's fun to search around on, but not for any serious research. Leaving it open for all users to edit can lead to inaccurate info. However, it's still a fun site to peruse. With all that said, you have many options to search this vast knowledge base in your iDevices. There's WikiWeb, which makes an interesting scatter-plot type of results page. There's Wikipedia's official app, which is free, and works very well. However, the purpose of this review is to point you towards an app that's relatively new, and you likely haven't heard of or tried.

Let me introduce Viki. This app is very small (10.9 MB), has a minimal feature-set & interface, and works extremely well for searching and browsing Wikipedia. The app is divided into three tabs: history, bookmarks, and nearby. The most interesting is nearby. The app uses your location and brings up a scrollable bar along the bottom connected to arrows on the map. I honestly never knew before using this app that the small town I live in has a Wikipedia page!

The reader is well laid out. It features support for many languages (switched with a button in the upper right corner), a bookmarking button, a share button, page back and forward, and a table of contents button (to jump between sections). The backgrounds are a mild grey in the main screens, while a mild sepia takes its place in the reader view. The result makes the app pleasant to look at and spend time in.

Overall, I love this app. It's speedy. It goes the job I want it to. It has great features without being crowded. If you want to up your Wikipedia experience on your iPhone or iPad, give Viki a shot. At $1.99, it's certainly worth a shot. You can find Viki in the App Store by clicking here.

[lilappreview]

Tomb of the Mask Review

Specs

Platform: iPhone, iPad and iPod touch

Price: FREE (with optional IAP)

Developer: Happymagenta Ltd.

Website: www.happymagenta.com

Summary

Meld Downwell, Crossy Road, and Pac-Man, and you basically get this game. Great at first, but not sure how it'll hold up in the long run.

Review

Here's the thing: sometimes, games skyrocket up the charts. Often, they fall back down into obscurity. Sometimes, they stick around and remain awesome. Tomb of the Mask has all the makings of a great and long-lasting game, but how far will it really go?

The game has a great (and ever-popular) retro look (similar to Downwell), and plays in an upward scroll. You swipe to dash in a straight line towers the next wall or object, and you avoid monsters and the creeping bar of color at the bottom of the screen. You'll need quick eyes and lightning reflexes to get far. Trust me, I leaned this quickly.

The music and sounds are very 8-bit-y. Very NES-esque. Reminds me a lot of VVVVVV. This is a good thing, in case you're wondering.

Along the way, you'll collect shield powerups, coin magnets, and other goodies. Grab enough coins, and you can spin a prize when for a chance at more coins or shields to take with you on your next run. When you amass enough points, you unlock a higher score multiplier and more masks to buy with your coins.

The game is free to play. Really. IAPs are present, but (mercifully) not required. You can pay to remove pop-up ads or buy varying stacks of coins for the game.

Honestly, the game is really fun for me at this point. I may lose interest over time, but I feel like it has the potential to stay on my phone for a good while yet. If you want to check it out for yourself, head over to the App Store and download it here.

[lilappreview]

Piloteer Review

Specs

Platform: iPhone, iPad and iPod touch

Price: FREE (iTunes App of the Week until about 2/4/16, normally $1.99)

Developer: Fixpoint Productions, Ltd.

Website: www.wtrebella.com/portfolio/piloteer

Summary

Fantastic and frustrating. Great for short bursts of gameplay.

Review

As a kid, I absolutely loved the movie "The Rocketeer". As an adult, Iron Man is my favorite superhero. Why? I probably have an unhealthy obsession with the idea of jetpacks. Also, I love games. How can I combine my love of the two? Piloteer.

This game has a cartoony style with very nice graphics. The game is loaded with humor (like stiff arms that only rotate at the shoulder, news highlights at the top of the screen, etc.) as well. The game looks great on my iPhone 6, but I don't dare to run it on my iPad Mini.

The controls are 2 buttons. That's it. Both power the bottom jet, while one operates the front and one operates the back. Your goal? Fly. Complete simple objectives. Don't throw your phone against the wall when you struggle to stay afloat for 5 seconds and land. You know, simple things.

The game is really fun, and it's ridiculously hard. I find it's best to play for small bursts (like 5 minutes) and then come back for more later. The humor does a good job of offsetting the difficulty. Somewhat. The price is also very reasonable, and there are no ads or IAPs to be found. At all.

If you want to satisfy your craving for immensely frustrating jetpack flight (attempts), then go check our Piloteer on the App Store here. Grab it soon, and it'll still be free!

[lilappreview]

App Cleanup

Back in August of 2015, I wrote about ditching folders and trying to be more careful about apps I use. Lately, I've reversed part of that stance. Why? I'll explain.

In many ways, there are benefits to not using folders. You have to be careful to keep things organized, but it's easy to justify adding more pages at the same time. I found that over time, I was skipping more and more apps and keeping them instead of deleting.

If you recall, my move to a folderless ios experience was to keep me from hoarding apps I didn't use. In the end, I just got tired of scrolling through 5 pages to get to Crossy Road or Trivia Crack every day. Now, I'm back to folders, and I'm actually being more careful than ever.

My previously-discussed OCD-like tendencies to keep things hyper-organized has really helped. Only seeing 9 apps in each folder page makes it pretty easy to prioritize each one. I still have (probably) far too many apps, but I'm being more careful to either use or delete them.

With that being said, I'm trying my best to perform weekly cleanings on both iOS devices I own. I'm scanning each folder and asking myself if I really use or need the app in question. If I can go more than a few weeks without launching an app (especially if it updates and I still don't launch it), it has to go. No need to keep stockpiles of apps I don't use!

Are you careful to clean out your apps? What methods of organization do you use? Please share with me. I'd love to know. Keep your apps neat, organized, and actually use them! Until next time.

[lilappreview]

Splendor Review

Specs

Platform: iPhone, iPad and iPod touch

Price: $4.99

Developer: Days of Wonder

Website: www.dow-online.com/splendor/

Summary

A great digital version of the popular board game. Quick turns. Nice visuals. Easy to understand.

Review

Let me throw a word at you: Economics.

Are you asleep? No? Then keep reading. It's worth your time. I promise.

Splendor is the official port of the popular board game by Days of Wonder. The goal is to become the most prestigious jewel merchant in the world (as far as Renaissance-era Europe is concerned, anyway). You do this by a system of claiming gem tokens to claim gem or prestige cards of increasing rarity. Get to 15 prestige points, and you win.

I'm doing a less-than-excellent job of explaining this. Oops. Just go to YouTube, and I'm sure you'll find a good tutorial. It's actually quite fun. You need to have a chess-like mindset (thinking multiple turns ahead) to plan how you will take cards, and this becomes a meta-game unto its own.

If I have to complain about anything, let it be these three things: the graphics are a bit choppy and rough on my iPad (could just be the fact that I'm using a 1st-gen mini), the in-game font is hard to read (albeit era-appropriate), and there's no online multiplayer (only pass-and-play, a big miss here). If Days of Wonder can clear these minor annoyances up, they have a solid winner in my book. Honestly, this game makes me want to buy the physical version! It's that good!

Should you want to give Splendor a try, I highly suggest you do. Games can take around 5-7 minutes, and go longer if you have 4 players. It's really fun. I can't say enough about it. Go check out Splendor on the App Store https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/splendor/id971215921?mt=8.

[lilappreview]

Yahoo Video Guide Review

Specs

Platform: iPhone and iPod touch

Price: FREE

Developer: Yahoo!, inc.

Website: https://help.yahoo.com/kb/helpcentral

Summary

Want to see if a show or movie is streaming and where? This app makes it incredibly easy.

Review

I've long been a fan of the Roku media players for TV. They're exceptionally made and have great software. In recent months, my two boxes just died. I decided to replace them with the Amazon Fire Stick since I got a great deal. While the new sticks work really well, they lack one crucial (in my opinion) feature from the Roku: universal search.

The search feature I miss is much like Spotlight on iOS. Type in the name of a movie or show, and get a list of where it can be streamed. How can you get this feature on another streaming platform or mobile device? My new solution is Yahoo!'s Video Guide app for iPhone.

This app follows the nice and clean design Yahoo! has been known for in the last few years. The main screen gives featured content, and there are buttons for movies, tv shows, and search across the top. The menu button on the left opens up the settings panel with help, app selections (more in a sec), and a "mood picker" (helps you find something based on a genre or mood you're in -- very handy!).

The app selection smartly detects what streaming apps you have on your phone and allows you to not only search them for results, but lets you jump to the app to stream immediately! Again: handy.

So what services and apps can Video Guide search through? I'll list a few: Netflix, Hulu, Amazon, YouTube, and many cable and broadcast networks. Turn on as many or few as you like. It's easy!

In the end, I still miss my Roku boxes, but this nice app makes up for the gap left by the Fire Stick's lack of universal search. If you want to give it a try (and you should… it's free…), then hop over to the AppStore and grab it here.

[lilappreview]

Downwell Review

Specs

Platform: iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch

Price: $2.99

Developer: Devolver Digital

Website: www.downwellgame.com

Summary

NES-era graphics and great controls make for a fun experience. The game is simply too much fun to put down.

Review

I love a combination of great gameplay, great price, and great controls. Throw in some retro graphics, and we've really sealed the deal. Thus is the case with a game called Downwell, by Devolver Digital.

The aim of Downwell is fairly simple: keep going further and further down the well, reach the end of a level, pick a new perk, keep going, collect gems, find new gun upgrades, and don't die. Did I oversimplify? Probably. Let me try to break it down.

You are a guy. With "gunboots" that shoot when you are in midair (and you hit the jump button again). They reload when you land on a platform. There are enemies in the well you want to descend into. Fall, avoid enemies (sidestep, shoot, or jump on them), and don't die. Maybe I over-oversimplified…

Needless to say, I am hooked on this game. It's a ton of fun to keep playing over and over. I haven't been able to get past the first 5 levels, and I'm ok with that. I'm having too much fun. The new gameplay modes and color palettes you unlock as you progress make it more interesting and can make it more visually appealing, and it's just plain old fun. Honestly, one of the most fun iOS games I've played in a while.

This game is more than worth it's $2.99 asking price. Even better? No ads or IAP at all. Do yourself a favor and go download it now. You won't regret it. Check out Downwell on the AppStore here.

[lilappreview]

Crossy Road Review

Specs

Platform: iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch

Price: FREE (with optional IAPs)

Developer:

Website: www.

Summary

A fun, modern take on the classic Frogger. Addictive, harming, and extremely fun.

Review

Simple games are sometimes the most fun. Swipe, tap, don't get hit. That's the premise behind Crossy Road, a surprisingly fun and addictive take on the old Atari classic, Frogger.

Crossy Road is a rare breed of iOS game that is freemium, yet requires absolutely zero cash investment to enjoy to the fullest. All characters (except for two!) can be unlocked without spending a dime. Keep playing every six hours to get your free coins and beat those challenges every six hours as well (for more coins). While you're at it, make sure you pick up those coins along the road as well (while dodging vehicles, of course).

The graphics are a fun and modern take on classic 8-but stylings, with blocky pixels and bright colors. The cast of characters looking to get across the endless highway ranges from chickens to ducks to characters from other iOS games (like Monument Valley). There are also many hidden characters to unlock by various means.

This game is super simple, ridiculously fun, and hopelessly addictive. I find myself compelled to go back each time my 6-hour timer resets itself. I have a need to collect all the characters! I want to keep swiping and tapping my way to he never-ending goal.

If you want to begin a fun and free (yet kinda pointless) adventure across the blocky highway, then check out Crossy Road on the App Store here.

[lilappreview]

Weather Line Review

Specs

Platform: iPhone and iPod touch

Price: $1.99 (at time of writing)

Developer: Off Coast, LLC

Website: www.weatherlineapp.com

Summary

Simple, not over-featured, and gives you the data you want. Really nice design.

Review

As you, dear readers, know by now… I have a problem. I love weather apps. I've bought so many over the years that it's plain embarrassing. My latest purchase may stick around for a good while, though. Let's talk about Weather Line.

Weather Line is a minimalist app in many senses. The graphics and interface are sparse, leaving mostly a graph and some other relevant data at the bottom of the screen. The app loads up fast and makes it easy to get what you want most (temperature for now and later) easy.

The app pulls data from Forecast (makers of Dark Sky), so it gives great data for precipitation (including their famous short-term predictions). You'll find three tabs: hourly, daily, and yearly. All three are really well done, and nice to look at.

The app does have a few omissions that take some adjustment: no radar at all, and no clear marking of the day when scrolling through the hourly view. This is a minor sticking point, and doesn't impact usage of the app in most cases.

Overall, I love the simplicity and speed the app provides. It makes things just that much simpler for me to check the weather. If you want to give Weather Line a shot, check it out on the App Store here.

[lilappreview]

Amazing Loot Grind Review

Specs

Platform: iPhone, iPad and iPod touch

Price: FREE

Developer: Michael T. Astolfi

Website: www.starpenguingames.com/#amazinglootgrind

Summary

The most droll of tasks in RPGs is the sole focus here. Just keep looting those treasure chests!

Review

Looting. It's either the most fun part of RPGs, or it's the worst. For me, I love it. There's few things more satisfying than finding a great item on a slain enemy or random treasure chest. Amazing Loot Grind, a game from Michael T. Astolfi, is a game about nothing but looting. Over and over and over.

If looting bores you, then I advise you seek other apps. If you find it enjoyable, then the deviousness of this game will keep you sucked in for a while. The graphics are reminiscent of early 90's games, with blocky and pixelated graphics. You see a grid of your inventory (weapons, armor, etc.), and a treasure chest. Tap to loot, then decide to keep or sell the loot. Keep in mind that you want to focus on the two stats that your class (warrior, wizard, or rogue) specialize in.

After a while, you will begin to find rarer items. These will be significantly better than lower tiers (the game always displays a listing with color codes to remind you), so they're usually worth equipping. You keep looting until you max out all your gear. At that point, it's done? I'm not there yet, so I can't say. What I can say is that it's great mindless entertainment.

There are no IAPs, but there is an option to watch a 30-second ad to boost your odds of better loot (for 90 seconds). It's usually worth it, from what I've seen.

That's all there is to it! It's addictive, and much more fun than you would think at first. I highly recommend it (especially for the price of FREE). You can check out Amazing Loot Grind on the App Store here. Happy looting!

[lilappreview]

Star Wars Card Trader Review

Specs

Platform: iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch

Price: FREE (with optional IAPs for additional credits)

Developer: The Topps Company

Website: www.topps.com/topps-apps

Summary

Silly, ultimately pointless, yet really fun. Who would've thought that "collecting" what essentially amounts to JPGs from the movies would be so much fun?

Review

Collecting things is a strange hobby. People collect stamps, bottle caps, and other oddities. Now, Topps has set loose the mighty juggernaut of Star Wars upon us. My new collecting obsession is Star Wars "cards". Feel free to make fun of me. It won't bother me. I probably deserve it.

This app is both really fun (new pictures to look at!) and really frustrating (some packs are expensive and odds are low). Trying to complete collections of various cards, from regular portraits of classic characters to "inserts" (rare cards in different designs and colors) is addictive and maddening. I can't stop.

Topps provides each user 25,000 free credits per day. Keep coming back for a week, and get 50,000 on day 7. Then the cycle begins anew. More obsession and more biding your time for the perfect packs. There are IAPs for additional credits, as well as offers from TapJoy for free credits. Be careful with these, as some seem fishy as crap.

Anywho, each pack costs a certain amount of credits, and has different odds for various card types and colors. You'll easily waste tons of time hunting for a specific card, trading with people for new cards, or trading multiples in for "better" versions in the in-app "Smuggler's Den".

Long-story-short, I love this app, even though it can drive me nuts. It's super fun to have cool pictures of characters from the Star Wars universe on hand. Ultimately pointless, but fun anyway. You can check out the app on the App Store here.

[lilappreview]

TunnelBear Review

Specs

Platform: iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch

Price: FREE (with optional subscription for unlimited use)

Developer: TunnelBear

Website: www.tunnelbear.com

Summary

While public or open wifi is convenient, it's not necessarily safe to use. With a good VPN (like TunnelBear), you can ensure you're taking steps to protect yourself online.

Review

In our modern age of technology, things get more and more convenient. With convenience, we also get more risks of security breaches. It seems you can't go more than a few days without hearing of a major breach of data. This can leave your identity, payment info, and more for others to take. Another convenience (with risks) is free wifi. Many stores and shops offer it, so the natural urge is to use it. However, it's easy to sneak in and take info or drop malware on users. How do you keep yourself safe? First, verify the identity of the network. Just because it says "free public wifi" doesn't mean it's legit. Second, use a VPN when you're on public wifi. My choice is TunnelBear.

I've been researching VPNs for a while, and I settled on TunnelBear a few months ago. Their app and website are cleanly laid out, easy to use, generous with free use (500 mb per month, plus an extra 1 gb for a simple promo tweet per month), and very safe. I'm no expert, but "4096bit Diffie-Helman" encryption for key exchange, plus standard 256-bit AES (the standard iOS allows) encryption for surfing sounds good to me. Again, no expert. However, it does make me feel better.

The app is simple to use. Open, click tunnel, and enjoy. That's it! It takes the pain out of something as important as protecting your data. Should you use all of your monthly allowance, you can pay $6.99 per month for unlimited usage. Not a bad deal at all.

If you want to read more about TunnelBear or VPNs in general, then you're just like me. I'm still learning, and I want to know more. Knowledge is power, after all. No matter what, I'll stand behind TunnelBear for my VPN use, and feel safer for it. Should you decide to give them a try, grab the app on the App Store here. Happy tunneling!