Blogs from Lucy Brown

Teach Your Kids Through Games with Leo's Pad: Preschool Kids Learning Series

lucy.brown@appmyworld.com (Lucy Brown) — Fri, 13 Sep 2013 09:30:00 +0000

This week our Best iOS App for Kids of the Week is Leo's Pad: Preschool Kids Learning Series with a 93 AppScore. The app teaches kids the basics of memory, color naming, turn taking and the ability to follow instructions through games and engaging animated stories known as "appisodes". In the app your kids learn from animated characters inspired by famous historical figures such as Leonardo da Vinci and Marie Curie. You can even track your child's learning in Leo's Pad: Preschool Kids Learning Series, the app features analysis and reporting on your child's progression against 70 learning dimensions. There also seems to be a lot of pedigree behind the app as it was developed by Stanford University researchers and Emmy award-winning animators. As for its quality, at AppMyWorld we always turn to the professional reviews: AppCraver said "As it stands, the initial story of Leo and Gally in Leo’s Pad Appisode 1 is an ideal preschool learning app that parents should snap up for free while they still can" and Common Sense Media adds "Leo's Pad Appisode 1 is a high-quality, educational appisode for preschoolers, and it's free." We say for no cost the app seems like an easy download for parents. Check out more about it below and let us know your thoughts.

AppScore rankings are based on aggregating professional review scores from around the web. Click on an app's name to see all the professional reviews.

		Leo's Pad: Preschool Kids Learning Series	93
		FREE: iPad
		From the app description: "Parent’s Pad (a feature within Leo’s Pad) is the most comprehensive tool available outside of clinical settings to assess and provide feedback on preschool learning. As the Leo’s Pad series unfolds, Parent’s Pad will report learners' progress and analyze their activity using over 70 learning dimensions and offer parents insights on how to help their child become a better learner." Check out a quote from Smart Apps For Kids: "Bottom Line: The first in a continuing series of immersive educational apps that star young versions of historical figures. Youngsters are drawn into the story and even older siblings will enjoy the Oscar worthy animation" (January 11, 2013).

Check out our other series Top 5 Apps, Top 5 Games, Favorite iPhone and iPad Apps and Games, Best Free iPhone and iPad Apps and Games, Best iPhone and iPad Apps and Games for Kids, The AppScore 100, iOS Interviews and iPhone and iPad App Giveaways.

Notes: AppScores, prices, ranking, and availability are accurate as of 9/05/13.

Top 5 iPhone and iPad Apps of the Week (9/12/13)

lucy.brown@appmyworld.com (Lucy Brown) — Thu, 12 Sep 2013 09:30:00 +0000

This week four apps met the criteria for our Top 5 iPhone and iPad Apps of the Week. Up first is Sumhold at a 90 AppScore. It's a simplified calculator about which AppAdvice says "I recommend Sumhold for anyone who wants an uncomplicated, yet above-average calculator on their iPhone." Up next with an 87 AppScore we have Phlo. This little gem is a power user's search tool: it lets you enter a search term and then flip between 30 search engines such as Google, Yahoo, Ebay and Amazon to see which gives you the best results. Apple'N'Apps says "Phlo works exactly as advertised, and is a should buy to optimize your future web searches from a wide range of sources." Dr. Panda's Airport comes in third place with an 80 AppScore. Its official primary category is Education but I'd call it an edutainment title aimed at little ones. Smart Apps For Kids calls it "Great for handing to toddlers/preschoolers and letting them at it while you enjoy a well-deserved cup of tea." With a 75 AppScore, our final app of the week is Socializer - MultiAccount Posting. It does what its title suggests - allows you to post to App.net, Twitter and Facebook all from one app. We hope they integrate a few more social networks but regardless AppAdvice says "For myself, I just have to decide whether I will place the app on my first page, or in my dock. I even have it on my iPad, although it’s only optimized for iPhone and iPod touch." That's it for this week - four diverse apps for you to try out. As always, leave your thoughts in the comments below...

Rank based on averaging professional review scores of non-games released 2 - 3 weeks ago to allow reviews to accumulate.

1.	Sumhold	90
	$0.99: iPhone and iPod touch
	From the app description: "Sumhold instantly calculates and stores numbers with a streamlined interface and a simple swipe gesture. Need to remember a number? Just swipe it down to the number pad to save it as a button. Sumhold also keeps track of long calculations in an easy-to-read line. It shows a running total and eliminates confusing buttons present on other calculators." Check out a quote from 148Apps: "Sumhold may look like just another calculator, but its elegant interface, ability to store numbers, and running total feature help make it one of the best simplistic iOS calculators available" (August 29, 2013).

2.	Phlo	87
	$2.99: iPhone, iPad & iPod touch (Universal)
	From the app description: "Launch the app, type your search, and find what you’re looking for on any search engine. If you can’t find it on Google, maybe you’ll find it on Amazon or eBay. You can jump straight to results from any search site, so it’s the fastest way to find your answer. Phlo comes preloaded with over 30 popular sites, and you can easily add more. It’s your one search box that searches everywhere." Check out a quote from AppAdvice: "So far, I’m really enjoying Phlo. The app itself is fast and responsive, and the results are delivered quickly" (August 20, 2013).

3.	Dr. Panda's Airport	80
	$1.99: iPhone, iPad & iPod touch (Universal)
	From the app description: "CARROT is a hilariously twisted AI construct who wants nothing more than for you to get out of bed every morning. Her witty spoken dialogue, beautiful songs, and innovative wake-up system will have you starting each day with a smile on your face. Unless, of course, you try to sleep in. Then you'll make CARROT upset." Check out a quote from Smart Apps For Kids: "Bottom line: Another solid piece of edutainment from the people at TribePlay" (August 27, 2013).

4.	Socializer - MultiAccount Posting	75
	$0.99: iPhone and iPod touch
	From the app description: "Socializer lets you post simultaneously to unlimited App.net, Twitter & Facebook (pages & timeline) accounts without ever leaving the app." Check out a quote from AppAdvice: "Even with its small quirks, Socializer is still an extremely useful app to me – especially with the unwelcome changes in iOS 7" (August 21, 2013).

For more of the Top 5 series, check out past Top 5 Apps and Top 5 Games posts. Also, check out our other series Favorite iPhone and iPad Apps and Games, Best Free iPhone and iPad Apps and Games, Best iPhone and iPad Apps and Games for Kids, The AppScore 100, iOS Interviews and iPhone and iPad App Giveaways.

Notes: Top five is based on apps released two to three weeks prior, in this case 8/18/13 - 8/24/13, to the current week to allow for reviews to come in. AppScores, prices, ranking, and availability are accurate as of 9/11/13. To make the list an AppScore of 75 or above is needed and the primary app category cannot be "Games". The top 5 apps ranked by AppScore that meet these criteria make the list.

Homestyler - Our Weekly Best Free iOS App Takes the Guess Work out of Remodeling

lucy.brown@appmyworld.com (Lucy Brown) — Tue, 10 Sep 2013 09:30:00 +0000

Anyone who has seen my apartment can attest to the fact that my home decor / design sense is spartan at best. I've made the occasional Ikea run which has helped, but still, I could really benefit from testing my ideas before plunking down cash. Well, that's where our Best Free iPhone and iPad App of the Week comes in. The app is called Homestyler, has an 88 AppScore and is from Autodesk which is a well known name in professional 3D modeling software. Off the bat I thought maybe the app would be targeted at pros, but it's not, it's for the everyday homeowner. What you do is snap a picture of the room or area you are looking to decorate, then using the app your able to do things like change the paint on the wall, hang light fixtures and place furniture in the picture you took. The decor items are all high quality 3D models that make it look like a real room with updated design. Pretty cool and pretty simple. In fact, I Use This App says "Homestyler is a phenomenal aid in giving new and great style to every room in your house!" and 148Apps calls it "quite the marvel and can demonstrate the reality of a new room design well." It's also completely free. No in-app-purcahses (IAPs) to speak of. So what do you think, will you try this app out to test your design ideas? Let us know below...

AppScores are based on aggregating and averaging independent professional review scores from around the web.

		Homestyler	88
		FREE: iPhone, iPad & iPod touch (Universal)
		From the app description: "Watch your home design ideas come to life within a photograph of your own space by experimenting with high-quality 3D models of real products. The realism will shock you; Autodesk Homestyler takes interior design to a whole new level..." Here is a review from 148Apps about the app: "It’ll take a little time to truly get the hang of, but once figured out, it’s quite the marvel and can demonstrate the reality of a new room design well" (April 26, 2013).

Learn the ABCs with abc PocketPhonics: letter sounds & writing + first words

lucy.brown@appmyworld.com (Lucy Brown) — Fri, 06 Sep 2013 09:30:00 +0000

This week abc PocketPhonics: letter sounds & writing + first words is our Best iOS App for Kids of the Week. The $2.99 education app has a 90 AppScore and teaches young kids phonics. It's designed for kids age 3-6 and helps them learn to sound out and write the letters of the alphabet, key sounds like "sh" and "ch" and around 170 words. As for its quality, at AppMyWorld we always turn to the professional reviews: appSized called the app "Highly polished, entertaining and educational app that makes learning easy and fun for toddlers on the go" and Know Your Cell says "it is effective, with a simple, child-friendly interface." This app seems like a great learning tool for children and is actually used by hundreds of schools according to the app description. Check out more about the app below and let us know your thoughts.

AppScore rankings are based on aggregating professional review scores from around the web. Click on an app's name to see all the professional reviews.

		abc PocketPhonics: letter sounds & writing + first words	90
		$2.99: iPhone, iPad & iPod touch (Universal)
		From the app description: "Aimed at kids aged between 3 and 6, and using the best ‘phonics’ teaching techniques, PocketPhonics introduces kids to each of the key letter sounds. As they learn the sounds, the app shows kids how to write letters using an arrow they can follow with their finger, or stylus." Check out a quote from BestAppsForKids: "Pocket Phonics is an outstanding app that will benefit beginning readers in many ways" (August 6, 2013).

		abc PocketPhonics Lite	XX
		Free: iPhone, iPad & iPod touch (Universal)
		From the app description: "abc PocketPhonics Lite is the FREE, cut-down version of abc PocketPhonics so you can try before you buy."

Top 5 iPhone and iPad Apps of the Week (9/5/13)

lucy.brown@appmyworld.com (Lucy Brown) — Thu, 05 Sep 2013 09:30:00 +0000

We have quite the diverse set of apps in our Top 5 iPhone and iPad Apps of the Week. Kicking off the list is Editorial with a 97 AppScore. It's a text and Markdown editor that AppAdvice says is "one app this year that will be playing a crucial part in my workflow" and Mac|Life notes "Editorial may well mean as much to the iPad as Microsoft Word meant to the PC." In second place is Gorilla Band 3D, a kid's storybook with an 87 AppScore. The iPhone App Review says "The graphics are great and the sounds are sharp and full" and Tapscape calls it "quite a steal." CARROT Alarm takes third with an 86 AppScore. It's an alarm clock with a witty personality (think humor and snarky comments). AppAdvice says they "love the simplicity of the app, and the witty dialogue and amazing songs" and CNET says it's fun and feature filled. Fourth is taken by Notograph - the camera for everything else with an 85 AppScore. This app is meant for using photos as a note taking tool. AppAdvice calls it "a great way to take images for referring to later" and 148Apps says "The interface is simple and easy-to-use." With an 80 AppScore, our final app this week is FIT FIX, a fitness app that includes video workouts, photo tutorials and new content added weekly. Crazy Mike's Apps says "the variety of workout routines is great" and 148 Apps calls it "a good all-rounder for fitness fans." That's it for this week, check back next when we'll have 5 more!

Rank based on averaging professional review scores of non-games released 2 - 3 weeks ago to allow reviews to accumulate.

1.	Editorial	97
	$4.99: iPad
	From the app description: "Editorial is a plain text editor for the iPad with powerful automation tools and a beautiful inline preview for writing Markdown. You can combine a large selection of simple text processing actions into your very own workflows — all in an intuitive drag'n'drop interface that makes it easy to see what's happening." Check out a quote from AppStorm: "Editorial therefore earns our highly commended 10 out of 10 score, because for $4.99, you aren’t going to find a better Markdown editor with so many features out there on the App Store" (August 15, 2013).

2.	Gorilla Band 3D story book with music - Wasabi Productions	87
	$3.99: iPhone
	From the app description: "Gorilla Band showcases an immersive, 3D jungle-world where cute gorillas learn to play various instruments and form a band. Crafted with touch screens in mind, this story invites readers to play an active role in the narrative, delivering a sensory experience that is deeply engaging, entertaining and educational for early readers. Sure to delight and entertain for hours!" Check out a quote from Smart Apps For Kids: "This is an ebook that stands out in a crowded market — the 3D animation, good-quality prose and musical interactions make it a valuable addition to your storybook library. Highly recommended" (August 15, 2013).

3.	CARROT Alarm	86
	$1.99: iPhone, iPad & iPod touch (Universal)
	From the app description: "CARROT is a hilariously twisted AI construct who wants nothing more than for you to get out of bed every morning. Her witty spoken dialogue, beautiful songs, and innovative wake-up system will have you starting each day with a smile on your face. Unless, of course, you try to sleep in. Then you'll make CARROT upset." Check out a quote from CNET: "The bottom line: If you battle the urge to keep hitting the snooze button, Carrot Alarm delivers more fun and more features than other alarm apps" (August 20, 2013).

4.	Notograph - the camera for everything else	85
	$1.99: iPhone and iPod touch
	From the app description: "If you already use your camera for pictures of sketches or business cards or whiteboards or napkins or signs or any other thing you want to remember but DO NOT want in your camera roll or your Photo Stream, then NOTOGRAPH is just what you've been waiting for. When you just need to remember something, a picture's worth 1000 words and a photo is often quicker than a note, and it's those photos for which Notograph was built." Check out a quote from 148Apps: "Overall, Notograph is perfect for those who don’t want to mix their captured notes up with their personal photos. The interface is simple and easy-to-use, and there are plenty of ways to organize and share photos across devices" (August 15, 2013).

5.	FIT FIX	80
	FREE: iPhone, iPad & iPod touch (Universal)
	From the app description: "Your fitness life should be fun, fulfilling, and easy to create. Loaded with video workouts and photo tutorials, Fit Fix is designed to meet your exercise needs. Having the Fit Fix app in your pocket means you can work out whenever and wherever. Beat the boredom of stale fitness routines by creating your own video playlists from our constantly updated catalog of workouts. The app also features preloaded workout routines to inspire you to get your sweat on, but you can always create and customize more personalized routines just for you!" Check out a quote from 148Apps: "Covering cardio, strength training, and yoga all in one app, FIT FIX is a good all-rounder for fitness fans" (August 30, 2013).

For more of the Top 5 series, check out past Top 5 Apps and Top 5 Games posts. Also, check out our other series Favorite iPhone and iPad Apps and Games, Best Free iPhone and iPad Apps and Games, Best iPhone and iPad Apps and Games for Kids, The AppScore 100, iOS Interviews and iPhone and iPad App Giveaways.

Notes: Top five is based on apps released two to three weeks prior, in this case 8/11/13 - 8/17/13, to the current week to allow for reviews to come in. AppScores, prices, ranking, and availability are accurate as of 9/4/13. To make the list an AppScore of 75 or above is needed and the primary app category cannot be "Games". The top 5 apps ranked by AppScore that meet these criteria make the list.

Be On Time & Organized with Donna, Manage Your Day (Free App)

lucy.brown@appmyworld.com (Lucy Brown) — Tue, 03 Sep 2013 09:30:00 +0000

Sometimes my life feels so busy that I wish I could have my own personal assistant to manage my calendar and make sure I make all my appointments. Ok, I know having a personal assistant is asking for a lot, that's why I said "I wish", but really more like day dream for one. Nevertheless I found the next best thing: Donna, Manage Your Day, this week's Best Free iOS App of the Week. Donna, Manage Your Day has an 80 AppScore and like its title proclaims, the app helps you manage your calendar. The app makes sure you get to your appointments on time by telling you when to leave, directions and weather patterns that may affect your commute. It even tells you all the people attending your meetings, will contact them if you are running late and can dial you into conference calls. Donna, Manage Your Day also integrates with Exchange and GCalendar. The apps aim is to be proactive rather than reactive as most to-do apps are. Pro reviewers praise its "sleek interface". I'm definitely going to pick it up - "virtual" personal assistant here I come!

AppScores are based on aggregating and averaging independent professional review scores from around the web.

		Donna, Manage Your Day	80
		FREE: iPhone
		From the app description: "Never be late again. Donna takes care of it. Donna manages your day, proactively giving you everything you need for an appointment: when to leave, if you need an umbrella, directions, attendee information, and one tap access to conference calls—all in a beautiful, simple interface." Here is a review from AppAdvice about the app: "If you use Donna as just a calendar, you will find it very convenient that she tells you how the weather will be" (July 4, 2013).

Top 5 iPhone and iPad Apps of the Week (8/29/13)

lucy.brown@appmyworld.com (Lucy Brown) — Thu, 29 Aug 2013 09:30:00 +0000

This week we are back with a full five apps in our Top 5 iPhone and iPad Apps of the Week. First up we have an app for kids and adults: Disney Animated leads our list with a 93 AppScore. The app takes you behind the scenes and the magic of Disney Animated films. It's like a history book on animation. Apple’N'Apps says "Disney Animated is an extremely deluxe and entertaining exploration of Disney animation history that is a delight to interact with." Next up in second is SharpScan: rapidly scan multipage documents into clean PDF with a 91 AppScore. It turns your phone into a scanner, basically you take pictures of your documents with the phone and the app will convert the photos to PDFs. Tapscape says it is "great for managing documents, contracts, or other similar items." In third with a 90 AppScore is Food.com Every Day Is a Food Holiday. It turns everyday into a food holiday with themed recipes all year round. AppStorm says "Food.com has done a great job of keeping it simple and easy, while still offering the element of surprise and delight to users." Our fourth app of the week is FLIP - Remix your pics with an 80 AppScore. This photo app turns individual photos into grid based collages. It's pretty funky what this app does to you photos. The reviewers at AppAdvice say they are "really enjoying FLIP so far, as it’s a fun little photography app to add a bit of a twist to your photos." Closing out our top 5 with a 75 AppScore is The Whole Pantry an app that offers wholefood recipes and health & wellness tips and advice. AppStorm says that "Whole Pantry is a beautifully designed app full of must-try recipes and helpful advice." Hope you enjoyed our weekly top 5! Details below...

Rank based on averaging professional review scores of non-games released 2 - 3 weeks ago to allow reviews to accumulate.

1.	Disney Animated	93
	$13.99: iPad
	From the app description: "Discover how Disney animated films are brought to life. Explore pages packed with interactive images and multi-layer animated clips. Animate authentic Disney 3D character models, and control a Disney visual effects simulation. Browse a rich timeline of all 53 Disney animated feature films, and more." Check out a quote from Mac\|Life: "The bottom line. Opening up the Disney vault proves a tremendous experience in Disney Animated" (August 14, 2013).

2.	SharpScan: rapidly scan multipage documents into clean PDF	91
	Free: iPhone
	From the app description: "Turn your iPhone into a jet Fast multi-page document scanner with SharpScan! Perfect companion for busy users, SharpScan automatically produces small, clear, and legible standard PDF documents from any photos at a very high speed." Check out a quote from Tapscape: "This app is great for managing documents, contracts, or other similar items. In addition, this app could be used to share receipts, business cards, or presentation slides with other members of your team" (August 26, 2013).

3.	Food.com Every Day Is a Food Holiday	90
	Free: iPhone, iPad & iPod touch (Universal)
	From the app description: "Every Day Is a Food Holiday: Celebrating Food, Classic and Off-Beat, Every Day of the Year. Big holidays come once a year, but you can celebrate all 365 days with Food.com. Get a new, food-themed holiday – some fun, some random – every single day, along with classic and creative recipes and trivia to share with friends. You’ll never miss National Junk Food Day, Cupcake Day or Margarita Day again. " Check out a quote from Crazy Mike's Apps: "This iOS food and recipe app is a great way to get the family excited about cooking, and maybe even cooking together. I can’t promise you won’t put on a few pounds with this iPhone and iPad app, but you’ll sure have a lot of fun in the process" (August 19, 2013).

4.	FLIP - Remix your pics	80
	$0.99: iPhone
	From the app description: "FLIP your photos into super cool, grid based collages. Simply swipe up, down and sideways to see your pics transform into something new. SHARE on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. PRINT a photo book of your favorites, powered by Printzel." Check out a quote from AppAdvice: "I’m really enjoying FLIP so far, as it’s a fun little photography app to add a bit of a twist to your photos. It may not seem like much at first, but if you combine this with other photo editing apps, then you can truly create something special. I kind of wish that FLIP included some basic filters or some effects to add some spice to your pictures, but it does what it advertises, so I can’t really complain" (August 21, 2013).

5.	The Whole Pantry	75
	$2.99: iPhone, iPad & iPod touch (Universal)
	From the app description: "The Whole Pantry is the first of its kind, combining inspiring wholefood recipes with Lifestyle and Wellness Guides. With guide contributions from some of the worlds most inspiring and respected innovators, and the promise to be regularly updating – We aim to provide our community and users with new tools, recipes and encouragement to live their whole lives." Check out a quote from AppStorm: "The Whole Pantry is a beautifully designed app full of must-try recipes and helpful advice. It’s a truly unique offering in the app store and will fill a need for many people looking for a healthy cooking and lifestyle app that’s got it’s finger on the pulse of what women are interested in right now" (August 27, 2013).

For more of the Top 5 series, check out past Top 5 Apps and Top 5 Games posts. Also, check out our other series Favorite iPhone and iPad Apps and Games, Best Free iPhone and iPad Apps and Games, Best iPhone and iPad Apps and Games for Kids, The AppScore 100, iOS Interviews and iPhone and iPad App Giveaways.

Notes: Top five is based on apps released two to three weeks prior, in this case 8/4/13 - 8/10/13, to the current week to allow for reviews to come in. AppScores, prices, ranking, and availability are accurate as of 8/28/13. To make the list an AppScore of 75 or above is needed and the primary app category cannot be "Games". The top 5 apps ranked by AppScore that meet these criteria make the list.

1001 Ultimate Mahjong - A Free Entry Into this Ancient Game

lucy.brown@appmyworld.com (Lucy Brown) — Tue, 27 Aug 2013 09:30:00 +0000

I must admit - despite the fact that my mom loves mahjong, I have no idea how to play it. Of course, that provided me a perfect opportunity to find an app to fix that and the one I found we decided to give our Best Free iOS App of the Week award. The game, 1001 Ultimate Mahjong Free, has a 91 AppScore and has "1001 stacks within 11 different categories". I'll be honest, I'm not quite sure what this means yet but I take it for a good thing. With a 91 AppScore, it's obvious that pro reviewers like it too: 148Apps says "It’s soothing, relaxing and great fun to lose one’s self in" and AppAdvice says "If you like Mahjong definitely check out this app. If you’ve never heard of Mahjong, still check out this app." Now I do need to add that like most free iOS apps or games it does contain in-app-purchases (IAPs). The IAPs add more stacks to the game and you can buy 100 at a time or all of them for $4.99. Personally I'm just excited to try it out and see what my mom loves about it. Any of you out there mahjong fans? What do you think of this title?

AppScores are based on aggregating and averaging independent professional review scores from around the web.

		1001 Ultimate Mahjong Free	91
		FREE: iPhone, iPad & iPod touch (Universal)
		From the app description: "The addictive power of Mahjong, multiplied by 1001. Containing 1001 unique Mahjong stacks in one, beautifully crafted package, wrapped together with 8 slick themes, over 40 lovely backgrounds and 5 extraordinary tile sets this is a stunning Mahjong package. " Here is a review from AppAdvice about the app: "Overall, 1001 Ultimate Mahjong is a great app for puzzle enthusiasts. If you like Mahjong definitely check out this app. If you’ve never heard of Mahjong, still check out this app. It is great for everyone and promises hours of fun (even without any unlocks)" (February 8, 2012).

Bill Nye The Science Guy + Disney + Free: Can't Get Much Better

lucy.brown@appmyworld.com (Lucy Brown) — Fri, 23 Aug 2013 09:30:00 +0000

This week Disney's Bill Nye The Science Guy is our Best iOS App for Kids of the Week. It comes to you with a 90 AppScore and the charm of Bill Nye The Science Guy. The app has a few games, some science lessons and a bunch other things like the periodic table of the elements and info on sundials. I must admit, it's a bit of a random amalgamation of science facts but it's still fun. I also should say the app has links to a lot of Bill Nye The Science Guy videos but these are links to videos that are on iTunes (not videos in the app) and you have to pay for them. Still, Common Sense Media says "Bill Nye explains science concepts clearly through the visually and intellectually engaging videos (even just the free intros) and activities" and A Matter of App says "I think what's made Bill Nye The Science Guy is how he makes the science relatable and engaging - and it's the same with this app." So if your looking for a little nostalgia and some science for your kids, this is one to check out. If you do grab it, let us know below!

AppScore rankings are based on aggregating professional review scores from around the web. Click on an app's name to see all the professional reviews.

		Bill Nye The Science Guy	90
		FREE: iPhone, iPad & iPod touch (Universal)
		From the app description: "Bill Nye The Science Guy® 20th Anniversary App—of Science! Science rules, especially when you grab a seat at The Science Guy's desk and help yourself to heaping handfuls of science. Just scan your thumb to gain entrance to Nye Labs, the most amazing, scientifically fascinating place on Earth (and possibly beyond!). Twenty orbits around the sun and 28 Emmys along the way—now that's something to celebrate!" Check out a quote from Common Sense Media: "The really great thing about this app is that Bill Nye explains science concepts clearly through the visually and intellectually engaging videos (even just the free intros) and activities" (July 22, 2013).

Top 5 iPhone and iPad Apps of the Week (8/22/13)

lucy.brown@appmyworld.com (Lucy Brown) — Thu, 22 Aug 2013 09:30:00 +0000

We have a number of kids apps in our Top 5 iPhone and iPad Apps of the Week beginning with Learn With Homer in first place (95 AppScore). Going beyond your standard book app, its goal is to actually teach reading skills. Common Sense Media says it's "an outstanding way to get kids excited about all of the amazing things to learn about and enjoy through reading" and Mac|Life calls it "an engaging, immersive way to get kids reading." Second goes to inWeby with a 91 AppScore. This one's not a kids app, rather it's a way to use your iPad to build websites. The Smartphone App Review says "you can create a beautiful, and profitable, Website in minutes" and Tapscape says it's "a healthy app that’s well worth a minor investment." In third with an 80 AppScore is Appy Animals - آبي أنيمال. It's aim is one I haven't seen before but think is pretty interesting: teach kids arabic. iPhoneGlance says "this is a great way for children to learn Arabic" and BestAppsForKids calls it "great for children just beginning to learn Arabic." Our fourth and final app of the week (only four met our criteria) is Bramble Berry Tales - The Story of Kalkalih with a 75 AppScore. This one's a kids book app and 148Apps says about it: "the overall quality of every aspect of this app – from the illustrations to the music and narration – is wonderfully realized and makes this app an easy one to recommend." So what do you think? Any of the apps intrigue you? Let us know below.

Rank based on averaging professional review scores of non-games released 2 - 3 weeks ago to allow reviews to accumulate.

1.	Learn With Homer	95
	FREE: iPad
	From the app description: "A complete step-by-step learn to read program, not just edutainment. Fun and rigorous phonics lessons. Beautifully illustrated stories, rhymes, games, and more." Check out a quote from Common Sense Media: "Learn with Homer is an outstanding way to get kids excited about all of the amazing things to learn about and enjoy through reading" (August 2, 2013).

2.	inWeby	91
	$4.99: iPad
	From the app description: "Create a website on iPad! Spend 10 minutes making a website and enjoy a full, functional website that is always on hand. Take pictures of places and share it in your blog, take photos of your product and sell it in an online store. Express yourself where and when you want, since your iPad and the Internet are all that you need! Tell the world about your passion!" Check out a quote from App Store Arcade: "The Bottom Line: inWeby brilliantly brings a website builder experience on the iPad" (August 7, 2013).

3.	Appy Animals - آبي أنيمال	80
	FREE: iPhone, iPad & iPod touch (Universal)
	From the app description: "Get your kids learning Arabic with Appy Animals - an interactive, educational language app that your child will love. Your kids will have fun discovering the animals and learning their names, all while getting a feel for the sounds they make and how they move. Each animal is accompanied by its English and Arabic names, as well as a phonetic spelling to help you teach them how to pronounce the words correctly." Check out a quote from iPhoneGlance: "All in all this is a great way for children to learn Arabic and the earlier they can use this app, the faster they will pick up the language" (August 14, 2013).

4.	Bramble Berry Tales - The Story of Kalkalih	75
	$2.99: iPhone, iPad & iPod touch (Universal)
	From the app description: "When mischievous Lily sneaks out of bed, her Mooshum (grandfather) shares a cautionary tale filled with foreboding dark surprises. Join Lily and Thomas on a new adventure filled with touch interactivity, music, color, and sound. Beautiful narration and voice acting guide you through this magical world." Check out a quote from 148Apps: "...the overall quality of every aspect of this app – from the illustrations to the music and narration – is wonderfully realized and makes this app an easy one to recommend" (August 19, 2013).

For more of the Top 5 series, check out past Top 5 Apps and Top 5 Games posts. Also, check out our other series Favorite iPhone and iPad Apps and Games, Best Free iPhone and iPad Apps and Games, Best iPhone and iPad Apps and Games for Kids, The AppScore 100, iOS Interviews and iPhone and iPad App Giveaways.

Notes: Top five is based on apps released two to three weeks prior, in this case 7/28/13 - 8/3/13, to the current week to allow for reviews to come in. AppScores, prices, ranking, and availability are accurate as of 8/21/13. To make the list an AppScore of 75 or above is needed and the primary app category cannot be "Games". The top 5 apps ranked by AppScore that meet these criteria make the list.