In the car business or looking for your next ride? This application is for you.

VIN Hunter is a great solution to the problem of needing to decode and record vehicles without the use of the Internet. This means an inexpensive iPod Touch can be used as a powerful tool in the field without service plans or dedicated hardware. The detailed 150,000+ model database contains information on cars and trucks back to 1981 when the standardized VIN format was introduced. The database is updated as new vehicle models are released. With VIN Hunter you’ll always be up to date.

A fairly bold claim for an application weighing in at only 3.9 MB, but this application does indeed work offline providing you with a high amount of information about the car you are looking at, depending on its age as I found that a 1988 Ford Taurus didn’t offer me much more info than engine size and type, more modern cars did provide a high amount of information.

When you do have a car with lots of information various custom options are listed which you can tap to tick to match your record better with the car in front of you. Going even further on this front you can add notes and a single photo but not the license plate number, which I find a strange omission as two similar looking cars could easily crop up if you are fond of a certain modal and a license plate is easier to identify with than say the VIN number present that’s present on every record in the list view.

The best thing about this application is it’s use of the Internet. It has integration with CarFax providing you with easy access to records on the vehicles history, on tapping the history tab you are taken straight to their website in Safari, letting you either purchase the history or if you have a dealer account enter your account detail. However it could do with a built in web browser to tighten this integration and a function for dealers (in dealer mode hidden in your device’s settings) the option to store your account credentials to provide greater ease of access. It also has a “More” tab with a handful of related links such as review sites, ebay search for spare parts and a look up on nicb.org which checks the VIN you have entered for the car against their database to make sure it’s not been stolen or salvaged.

I would have liked to have seen the ability to store more than one photo, so say if you were a mechanic or valet you could document existing damage on receiving it into your care and prevent a disgruntled customer from pointing the blame at you. Normally I like developers to stick with existing design conventions but I think this application needs to buck the trend in regards to the keyboard it uses to enter the VIN. There is more than enough space available to let you have numbers above the standard keyboard and would save a lot of time flicking between normal and symbol/number view on the standard keyboard as symbols aren’t needed for a VIN. While the ability to email details about the vehicle you have decoded is appreciated it would be nice to be able to email singular records as well rather than sending your complete list.

The only size-able grip I can find with this app is it’s sluggish manipulation of camera images when taken in-app causing some erratic behaviour such as missing button bars and low responsiveness until you quit and start the application again and anything that is used for business should have a backup and restore function

Price $4.99 (North America only)

The Good

• Works offline
• Space for notes
• Handy and relevant links
• CarFax integration for buyer and dealer…

The Not So Good

• …Needs built-in web browser to tighten it up
• One photo only
• Needs custom keyboard to hasten code entry
• No backup and restore

VIN Hunter Screenshots

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Reviewed by: TylerDurdan

Vivid Apps is giving away 25 Promo Codes for Lifecards!

You can win this app by Retweeting this Post (use green retweet badge)

Review [Update]

[rating: 5/5]

Lifecards successfully breaks the monotony of regular emails and picture messages to convey that special message!

Features:

– More than 350 templates in 20 categories with more to come.
– Up-to 4 photos per template.
– Control scale, position, and rotating of photos.
– Control alignment, color, size, and font of text.
– Complex visual engine allows free pan and zoom while manipulating card.
– Automatically adapts to landscape and portrait mode.
– Save cards to finish them later
– Automatic save and restore when you exit and reenter the application
– Change templates without changing contents

Lifecards is great way to share what your are thinking, doing or dreaming about. It has a very intuitive interface which makes creating your Lifecard very easy and an enjoyable experience.

Once you select ‘Create new card’ you are presented with various categories (Beach, Filmstrip, Winter and many more) which further have different themes. After you’ve selected your theme, you get various customization options.

Customization options include:

• Text (Alignment, Color, Size and 19 fonts which you can preview)
• Add picture from Photo Album (Pan/Zoom/Rotate)

At this stage if you feel you are not happy with the theme you can still change it without losing your text and pictures you just added.

When you feel you’ve got what you wanted tap save (you are presented with a preview) tap save again and there you get two options, either to save for later use (re-edit later) or Export to Photo Album. After you’ve Exported to Photo Album you can exit the app and email the card you created.

The entire interface from creation to completion of the card is very well thought and implemented.

Lifecards will certainly make your friends feel jealous of your iPhone/iPod touch.

[Update] Lifecards has had many updates since we last reviewed it. The app feels very snappy and smooth now. The developer has also added sharing features which allow you to share your beautiful Lifecards via Facebook and Twitter (Touch Reviews suggested twitter) With the latest update now you can also add speech bubbles to create unique Postcards on your iPhone/iPod touch.

Touch Reviews Highly Recommends Lifecards

Price $2.99

The Good

• A lot of customization options
• A very structured interface

The Not So Good

• The resolution of the card is a bit low

Lifecards Screenshot

Review

BlackJack Run adds a very interesting twist to the traditional BlackJack game making it fun to play and an entirely new game!

Description

BlackJack Run is not your grandmother’s BlackJack! The object is to get the highest score for each of the five rows, without busting (going over 21 points for a row), all before the time runs out for the round.

At the end of each round, if you have scored at least 95 points, you get bonus points for having time left, making natural BlackJacks, making hands of 21, and for getting all rows equal to 21.

The game is ultra-customizable which allows you to play 15 different levels! Once you start playing, you won’t be able to stop!

BlackJack Run is basically based on the rules of traditional BlackJack game with time limit, levels and additional rules. The gameplay is very simple and easy to understand with the detailed ‘How To Play’ within the app.

You get 30 seconds to get a high score in all five rows without busting even once (achieve a total close or equal to 21 ). The game also offers various Bonus points to be earned if Base Score is 95 points or higher.

Now, this application works and works well with a responsive interface. The game also supports various customization options (Gameplay and Background customization ) for all those who love to personalize their games or apps. The game also gives you an option to view and submit High Scores.

BlackJack Run certainly adds freshness to the traditional BlackJack game, making it fast paced and addictive!

Price $4.99 (Right Now on Limited Time Sale $1.99)

The Good

• It’s challenging
• Fast Paced
• Global High Score

The Not So Good

• Interface could be polished further

Promo Codes

Follow http://twitter.com/Touch_Reviews on twitter for iPhone app reviews and Promo Codes.

Get ready to fall in love with the adorable Max and Maya now on your iPhone/iPod touch.

Sled as either Max or Maya as you:

– Duck and dodge through thick glades of trees
– Soar through the air as you jump off the ramps
– Perform tricks in the air
– Navigate hairpin turns and twists
– Collect treasure along the way
– And most importantly… Watch out for the bunnies!

FEATURES:

– Original piano soundtrack
– Fluid 3D animations
– Responsive accelerometer controls
– Bonus items
– Jumps
– Air tricks

If you were still wondering who Max and Maya are well they are the two adorable characters in Little Red Sled -3D Racing.

Little Red Sled – 3D Racing is a fantastic sled racing game which has very cute graphics, simple game play and and perfect music to captivate you!

In this 3D sled racing game you can sled as either Max or Maya. After you choose your game character the initial levels will help you get familiarized with the gameplay. The objective of this game is to sled till the finishing point as fast as you can while picking up gifts, performing tricks in air and avoiding obstacles as you sled in a polar region. The controls are very simple, you guide the sled by titling your device and perform an air trick by shaking your device.

Little Red Sled – 3D Racing on one hand is a complete entertaining game while on the other it will surely put your sled racing skills to test. The game also has interesting challenges to complete and has bonus levels to get extra points.

Price $1.99

Verdict Get It!

The Good

• Cute graphics
• Simple gameplay
• Challenges and Bonus levels

The Not So Good

• Online high score missing
• More air tricks could be added

Little Red Sled – 3D Racing Screenshots

Binary Game is a very simple game which will challenge your logical skills by engaging you in an addictive gameplay!

Binary Game is a fast paced highly addictive simple puzzle game, with very simple and intuitive game play!

The most important thing to understand is that ANYONE can learn how to play this game, and be good at it within a minute or two of trying it. You do NOT have to be a math genius to play the Binary Game.

It’s one of those “take a minute to learn, a lifetime to master” games.

Binary Game offers you a very simple gameplay with the objective to equal the goal score (between 1 & 255) by switching Eight binary switches ON or OFF.

Each binary switch carries a specific numeric value (128, 64, 32, 16, 8, 4, 2, 1) and as you get your numeric goal your objective is to switch a combination of Binary Switches ON in order to achieve the total (There is only one solution to each Goal)

Current version of Binary Game offers you three modes:

Challenge mode: Complete five rounds per level (starting at Level 1) before time runs out and score higher by completing each level in less time.

Speed Mode: This mode challenges your logical and math skills to extreme limits as you try and complete 15 non-stop rounds as fast as you can

Practice Mode: Play this mode in a relaxed manner with no time limits.

Binary Game allows you to post and view Global high scores too.

If you thought this game is for those good in Math, you might just be wrong! Achieving the goal score requires you to use either your Logical skills, Math skills or hit & trial method making it enjoyable for anyone!

This game is one of the first games in App Store to feature Facebook Connect enabling you to publish your high score on Facebook.

Binary Game is here to keep you entertained and busy on your iPhone/iPod touch for a long time!

Price $1.99

The Good

• Addictive
• Very simple gameplay
• Global High-score

The Not So Good

• A bit repetitive

Promo Codes

To win ‘Binary Game’ leave us a comment below telling us why you want it and tweet the following

Follow @row_13 for iPhone App Reviews and Promo Codes. I want Binary Game.

It’s that simple!

Buy it Here!

Binary Game Screenshots

Knockem is a cute game which will keep you entertained as you Knock all the alien creatures down!

Easy to pick up and play in short bursts

Crazy huge combos

Challenging and addictive gameplay

Onboard music and sound effects

Play your own music if you prefer

Suspend a game in progress and return at anytime

Kids love repetitive fun and Knockem is here to do just that!

Knockem’s gameplay and story-line is pretty simple. Alien creatures are trying to infest the micro-landscape of your space lab and your objective is to stop them from destroying your ship.

Once in the game the only weapon you get to destroy the nasty but cute alien creatures is a Space Ball which can be used by flicking it towards the aliens to drain their energy before they escape the red wrap zone, as you play longer Aliens try to infest faster. To get a high score you have to try and achieve a combo by hitting more creatures in one throw.

Knockem is a very simple game which could definitely keep the kids engaged for a long time.

Price $0.99

The Good

• Repetitive fun for kids
• Cute graphics

The Not So Good

• Global High Score is missing
• Power-ups for the Space Ball could be added

Promo Codes

To win Knockem leave us a comment below telling us why you like it and Tweet the following:

Follow @row_13 I want Knockem Now!

Knockem Screenshots

iSperm is an insanely fun experience playing as a sperm racing against other sperms to hit the egg first!

This game with its original concept contains:
– Cute graphics
– Worldwide online scores
– Achievements
– Easy to play gameplay

After facing a tough submission process iSperm finally made it to the App Store.

iSperm takes complete advantage of iPhone’s touch screen and accelerometer to create a gaming experience which has never been so much fun.

The concept of this game is based on the fact that only one sperm cell joins with the egg cell which further fertilizes. iSperm’s gameplay is very simple and highly intuitive!

You are one of the many sperms and you race in three phases. The first phase requires you to shake your iPhone/iPod touch vigorously to be able to go faster than the rest of the sperms. In the second phase you have to tilt your device left and right to avoid obstacles and stay ahead in the race. The third phase requires you to tap the screen to make the sperm go faster till you make it to the egg!

The game also features many Achievements to accomplish such as First steps, Sperm Legend, Instinct, Sperm god and more which will surely keep you busy for a long time!

[Update] The latest iSperm update adds a new gam mode called Egg Defender.

iSperm is truly an original concept which will certainly make onlookers stare at you!

Price $0.99

The Good

• An original concept
• Perfect game to show what your iPhone can do!

The Not So Good

• A bit repetitive

Promo Codes

To win iSperm leave us a comment telling us why you want it. Tip: Use Twitter to log in and Tweet your comment as a reply @Touch_Reviews

iSperm Screenshots

Tweetie is without a doubt the Best Twitter app available in the App Store and miles ahead of other Twitter apps.

Version 1.3 Supports the following new features:

• Post pictures with Mobypicture and yfrog (in addition to TwitPic)
• New “Link” button to Add to Instapaper faster, and repost individual links
• View full-size profile images
• Dark theme
• Ping.fm integration
• Tweetshrink integration
• Twitlonger integration
• German localization
• Russian localization
• Allow DMs up to 255 characters
• Many UI tweaks
• Play back Song.ly links
• Option to use “RT” syntax
• Better feedback for posting a Map link
• Improved international date formatting
• Detect invalid profile images
• Fixed account sorting
• Fixed profile image URL decoding
• Fixed links with # anchors
• Fixed “(null)” problem when using bookmarklet
• Fixed problem with @ character in password field

FEATURES
– Handle multiple twitter accounts
– View your timeline, replies, and direct messages
– Manage your favorite tweets
– Browse your friends and followers
– Post new tweets, repost tweets
– Reply directly to tweets and send direct messages
– Follow and un-follow people
– Block/unblock users
– Navigate reply chains
– Inline web browser
– Inline TwitPic image viewer
– Upload pictures to TwitPic
– Update your twitter location
– Unparalleled scrolling performance
– Post links with automatic link shrinking
– Uses secure connection (https)
– View twitter trends and perform custom searches
– Nearby searching
– Save your favorite searches
– Instapaper integration
– Links to StockTwits
– Optional landscape keyboard
– Themes

User Interface

The first thing you will notice about Tweetie is that it can handle multiple Twitter accounts so if you have more than one account this app would be perfect for you.

The UI is simply amazing, it feels just like a native iPhone app. Switching from one account to another is the same way as you switch one email account to another. Current version of Tweetie offers two themes Simple and Chat Bubbles (iChat bubbles interface).

Slide a Tweet to the right or left (same as iPhone unlock gesture) and you get three options to either reply, mark as favourite or checkout user profile.

Reply, Post & User Profile

Once you tap on a particular tweet, Tweetie shows the details of the tweet and here you can @reply (it adds @username for you and can even save drafts) , mark as favourite , Repost Tweet, view links with an inline web browser, Post Link to Tweet or read the complete profile of the person who sent you the Tweet. It provides various options on the user profile to decide whether you want to follow that user or not. You can easily view recent activity by selecting Recent Tweets, perform a @username Search, check followers and who the user is following.

It offers some great features for composing a Tweet. Tweetie can upload pictures to TwitPic, update location (Add Map Link using Google Maps, shorten the URL and inserts in the Tweet) and supports automatic Post link shrinking too.

Trends & Save Search

Tweetie also keeps you updated with an option to view the latest Trends (Tap on a trend to view related tweets), perform custom searches, Save your search and view public timeline.

Customize

Tweetie offers some interesting customization options ranging from Instapper Integration, Image Compression level, Landscape keyboard, Font size and Limit initial load to either 20, 50 0r 100.

Verdict!

On one hand Tweetie statifies all the needs of a twitter addict while on the other it can tranform a newbie into a Pro user. With the latest update Tweetie is more fun to use than it ever was!

Price $2.99

The Good

• Full featured Twitter app which can handle Mulitple Accounts
• Inline web browser, automatic Post link shrinking, Instapaper integration, location update, save search, save draft, view sent DM.
• Repost your own Tweet.

The Not So Good

• Lacks Auto refreshing option (Every 3, 5 or 10 minutes)

Promo Codes

To win Tweetie, Tweet

“Follow @row_13 for #iPhone App Reviews and Promo Codes. I want Tweetie Promo Code.”

Please note: Tweet more to make sure you get noticed!

Tweetie Screenshots

Firemint’s new casual game “Flight Control” is an awesome game with very simple yet extremely addictive gameplay.

– Incredibly simple, but amazingly engaging.
– Experience all the glamor of the golden era of aviation.
– Beautiful graphics and animation.
– Play in-game sound or listen to your own iTunes music.
– 4 different aircraft including helicopters.
– Play to improve your high score or statistics.
– Insanely addictive ‘one more go’ gameplay.

Flight Control gives you total control over LA’s air space with the touch of a finger!

The objective of Flight Control is to be able to control the Air Traffic by simply drawing a path for the Aircrafts and Helicopters to land on the runway or helipad. The game begins with an aerial view of the two runways and one helipad. The aircrafts start appearing on the screen from random directions (red color exclamation mark pointing out the location) and you have to trace it’s path to the runway. As you successfully keep landing these aircrafts the speed and the number keeps increasing.

The game becomes very engaging as you can change the path drawn to avoid collision with other aircrafts, giving you complete control and the ability to trace endless alternate paths.

Flight Control becomes quite challenging and great fun as you score higher and try to improve you stats.

I highly recommend buying Flight Control, it will surely keep you engaged for a long time!

Price $0.99 (Sale), Actual $2.99

The Good

• Very addictive
• Replay value high

The Not So Good

• Only one map (could be more challenging with buildings around)
• Online scoreboard is missing.

Flight Control Screenshots

LightBike is a very addictive fight against time and rival, bike racing game with a difference.

Features
– 1 player mode (with 3 levels of difficulty)
– Split-Screen Mode (for 2 players)
– Wifi Mode (for 2 to 4 players)

You are the rider of a lightbike and the objective of the game is to win by getting your rival to crash into the light wall drawn by your bike as you race in cyberspace.

LightBike currently offers One player (Easy, Normal and Hard Levels) , Two players and Wifi-Mode . You get 40 seconds to race on a large grid map and as you race on the map the lightbike draws a light wall trail. The game becomes very engaging as you try and avoid crashing into your opponents light wall while you strategize your moves to trap the opponent into crashing into your light wall. Two players mode splits the map as you race. The Wifi mode (on same network) supports up-to 4 players.

LightBike has many customization options which could enhance the look and feel of the game.

• Number of Battles (1, 3 or 5)
• Boost Camera Effect
• Boost Effect
• First Player Color, Second Player Color
• Afterimage Effect
• Smooth Camera Work
• Field Size (Small, Medium or Large)
• Time Limit (On/Off), Vibration Mode
• BGM, SE

LightBike is a very engaging game pushing you to try and outdo your opponent with different wall patterns and sharp turns.

Price $2.99

The Good

• Great replay value (try and draw different patterns each time)
• Wifi Mode

The Not So Good

• Only one map

Note: The upcoming version will support Online Multiplayer

Promo Code

Leave us a comment below and Tweet “@row_13 I want LightBike Promo Code http://tr.im/h2AR” It’s that simple!

LightBike Screenshots

Tomato Boxes is a old DOS game ported to play on the iphone/ipod touch. The tomato’s objective is to position boxes on all the green dots.

Features

-Original 55 Level Campaign

-Smooth & Funky animated backgrounds

-Over 13,000 downloadable levels

-Downloadable levels already installed

Tomato Boxes is a puzzle game where the Tomato has to move boxes around obstacles so they finish on all the green dots. By just pressing the touchscreen up, down, left, or right will move the tomato, and hitting the middle will bring up the menu. Here you can move back up to five spaces, in case of accidents, or just reset the map from here. Having the background colors is better than black but doesn’t effect the game in anyway.

Tomato Boxes is a old game but still holds fun for the puzzle game fan. Most of the levels are fun, challenging, and short. Yet some levels suffer from trial & error. With so many levels to pick from you’ll be killing time in that doctor’s office or just waiting in line.

Price $2.99

The Good

• Vast selection of levels
• Fun & simple levels
• Perfect for killing time

The Not So Good

• Becomes trial & error on some levels

Promo Codes

To win this game leave a comment below telling us why you want it! It’s that simple!

Next Read is a virtual book shelf on your iPhone/iPod touch which not only keeps a track of books you like but also keeps a track of books suggested to you by other sources!

FEATURES AT A GLANCE
• Fast Amazon based search lets you quickly search for books.
• Weighted scoring system lets you rank books by the value of suggestions.
• Recommendation sources are completely customizable, allowing you to tailor your own scoring system.
• Share lists with other Next Read users over WiFi or anyone else by sending them a list via email.
• Shake Search makes it easier to find books you might be interested in.
• Quick Add allows you to enter a book quickly right when you hear about it. The details can be refreshed later.
• Take notes on each book in your list.
• Browse Listmania lists that contain books in your lists.
• Clean, simple layout lets you get the facts fast.

Next Read certainly compliments an avid reader’s Lifestyle by offering great ways to never loose a track of any book you wanted to read. Next Read offers a very intuitive interface to add books to your wish list by either searching through Amazon (allows you to buy books too) or adding them manually with Quick Add option (requires Title and Author or ISBN Number) and take notes.

Next Read adds an interesting feature to assign score to source (Family, friend or Book Store) of the books, this scoring system is completely customizable. The scoring feature could prove to be helpful in prioritizing your next book. When you tap on a book you could either raise the score or reduce the score to zero to delete it. Once you have a list you can easily share it with friends over Wi-fi. The books can be sorted according to its score, source, author, or genre.

If you find yourself writing book titles at random places and wished being more organized Next Read is your answer!

Price $2.99

The Good

• Amazon Integration
• Customizable scoring system
• Keeps your wish list organized

The Not So Good

• More sorting options could be added (titles)
• Keep past read books record (even after zero score)

Promo Code

If you would like to get Next Read leave a comment below telling us why you like it. It’s that simple!

CompareMe is a very simple yet very useful app making shopping decisions earier for you.

This utility application compares and converts prices of products with many different package sizes, volumes, and lengths. Discounts and premiums are calculated and displayed directly or can be set by the user.

With so many great new apps being launched everyday, I am always on a look out for new, creative and useful apps. Recently I noticed this Finance App and it amazes me how developers want their apps to be a part of almost everything we do, in this case it could be Shopping, bargaining and much more!

CompareMe offers a very simple and intutive interface to calculate how much discount you are getting or how much premium you are paying by entering three values which are Amount, Unit and Price.

It offers various options to set the unit ranging from Piece Number, Mass, Volume, Surface and Length. So, whether you are shopping for clothes or groceries or anything else CompareMe will help you crack the best deal.

CompareMe is a must have for all who love to shop and even for those who just like to compare anything and everything!

Price $1.99

The Good

• Multiple uses
• Will make you a smart shopper
• Its fun comparing!

The Not So Good

• Option to Name and save all your comparisons could be added.

Promo Code

Get a Promo Code for this app by leaving a comment below. It’s that simple.

With such an overwhelming response to WordsWorth Review on our Blog, we are happy to announce our first Contest in collaboration with 99Games (App Store Link!) the proud developer of WordsWorth and other popular game titles in the App Store.

We are giving our readers another opportunity to win one of the most addictive word games in the App Store!

If you haven’t read the review yet CLICK HERE

Contest Details

For Contest Details CLICK HERE

The current version of WordsWorth features:

– Timed mode and Classic mode
– 4×4, 5×5, 6×6, and 7×7 grids
– 30 levels with different rankings
– TWL, SOWPODS and ENABLE word lists
– Scramble count per level
– Set minimum word length
– Green, Gold, Auto Shuffle and Wild Card reward tiles
– Buzzwords for bonus
– Customize the timer speed for a game
– Wall of WoW to display high scores

WordsWorth is a challenging word building game with a difference! The purpose of the game is to test your vocabulary and engross you in an endless fun filled experience.

The game presents you with letters in hexagonal shaped grids and the objective is to trace or link letters to form as many words as you can! WordsWorth currently offers you two modes; Timed Mode and Classic Mode. Play in a relaxed manner with the Classic Mode or put your vocabulary skills to test with the Timed Mode. The game also offers a lot of interesting rewards and challenges with special tiles, Wild Cards and Scramble option to either help you increase the score or make the game even more challenging.

WordsWorth has some great customization options which whithout a doubt deserve a mention. You can set the minimum word size (3 to 5), grid size (4 to 7), Scramble per level (0 to 3), timer delay (30, 60, 90 seconds) and word list (SOWPODS, ENABLE or TWL)

From the music to graphics to transitions almost everything about WordsWorth is Top Class!

I would recommend this game not only to word game lovers but also to those who have never tried word games!

Price $1.99

The Good

• Endless fun
• Great customization options
• Intuitive game play
• Build Vocabulary skills

The Not So Good

• Worldwide scoreboard missing
• Can get very addictive!

Promo Codes

To win this game please do the following:

1. Leave a Comment below.
2. Follow @row_13 on Twitter and Tweet “RT @row_13 I want WordsWorth promo codes #iproco and I have left a comment on http://tr.im/gTBx. You can Retweet as many times as you want! The more the better!

Note: Please complete 1. & 2. to qualify.