Released shortly after the surge of zombie-based games that plagued the AppStore around Halloween, Westbright’s ‘Zombies’ breathes a breath of fresh air and comedy into a somewhat stale genre.

Zombies is a turn-based game where your aim is to, rather unsurprisingly, kill the zombies. This is not, however, the usual gore-laden shooter commonly associated with zombie games but, rather, an amusing little gem that is so addictive in it’s simplicity. How many other zombie-based games have the lead character saying in their best British accent ‘oh dear’ when devoured by the living dead?!

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Griffin PowerDock for iPhone and iPod

Have you got more than 1 iPhone or iPod? I have, and keeping them all charged is a nightmare. The number of times I have grabbed my iPod and found that the battery is dead is too many to count. Griffin have solved all my charge problems with the PowerDock.

The Griffin PowerDock comes in two different models: The PowerDock 2 ($39.99 or £24.97) and the PowerDock 4 ($69.99 or £31.54).  Not surprisingly the PowerDock 2 has 2 charging bases whilst the PowerDock 4 has 4.

Griffin PowerDock

The PowerDock is compatible with just about all of the current and previous range of Apple iPhone and iPod products, with the exception of the iPod Shuffles. Click here to see the PowerDock compatibility on the Griffin web site.

As with the Griffin Simplifi (click here for our review) the PowerDoc comes with a brushed aluminium style that matches the Apple MacBook Pro, and the Mac Pro.  I am not much of a style guru, but I do like my technology to match.  I am surprised Apple don’t produce a metal iPhone…
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Apple Remote

If you have an Apple TV or even some remote speakers connected to your iTunes application on your Mac, then you will know that it is quite tricky trying to control it to get the content you really want.

Apple have developed an iPhone application to overcome some of those limitations: Remote.

Apple TV remote

Apple Remote connects to either your Apple TV or iTunes using WiFi.  This then allows your iPhone to act as a remote controller for your device.

You can connect to a number of devices or iTunes Libraries, but only one is active at any one time.  To make the initial connection you need to authorise the iPhone on the Apple TV of iTunes library so you cant just find Apple TVs around you and start to control them…

Once connected you have pretty much full functionality for an iTunes library, being able to browse by playlist, artist or album.  You can also tap on the search to find the particular item you want.

Apple Remote more options

Tapping on the more icon presents the menu shown to the left.  This provides control of some of the lesser used features of the iTunes library.  From here you can gain access to your video collection, podcasts and TV shows.

In fact this just about mirrors the functionality that you can find in iTunes, and this is great for controlling the iTunes on your computer, but less so for the Apple TV.

In fact for the Apple TV the whole application is really back to front.  The controls for movies are hidden behind a couple of taps.  That is not to say that Remote is not useful, more that is it not as useful as it could be.

The Apple TV has many more functions than the iTunes Library on your computer, and none of these are catered for.  Remote cannot be used as a substitute for the little remote control provided with your Apple TV.  Even the very basic minimum of adding a dial control and text entry would make this a far better application.

Available from the Apple Appstore as a free application

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Griffin Simplifi dock

The Griffin Simplifi is a desktop dock for your iPhone or iPod, but it is not just a dock it is far more…

The Griffin Simplifi is a triple function gadget and not only sports an iPhone dock but has a multi-function card reader and a USB hub as well.

The design of the Simplifi follows the Apple metallic theme and matches the Apple Macbook Pro, Air Book and Mac Pros very nicely.

Griffin Simplifi iPhone dock

The iPhone dock uses the dock inserts to enable a wide range of iPhones and iPods to be used.  Six inserts allow the use of iPod Classics, iPod Nano (2G,3G), iPhone (Classic, 3G) and iPod Touch.  In fact the only iPod not supported by the dock inserts is the iPod Shuffle.  This can be charged using the USB hub.

Griffin Simplifi USB hub

The USB hub provides 2 additional USB ports at the back of the device which can be used to power low powered devices.  I have used it for a memory stick and my Griffin AirCurve (review coming shortly).  

If  you need to attach devices that need more power then the Simplifi can be connected to a 5v power supply (or should that be power suppli??) which is included in the box.  I prefer not to use this as it makes it less portable.

Griffin Simplifi card reader

The final aspect of the Griffin Simplifi is the multi-function card reader.  This has two slots, one for Compact Flash and one for Memory Stick, SD cards and XD cards.  The Memory Stick Duo is not supported directly, it can only be used with an adapter.   

In use I find that this is great paired with my MacBook Pro as I can use it for both my cameras and video cameras without having to scrabble around for adapters or cables.  At home it is a perfect match for my MacPro, and of course it charges all of my Apple iPhone/iPod devices.  One other important point is that unlike the Apple Dock the Simplifi also charges my TruePower iV Battery extender as well as my iPhone.

The Griffin Simplifi is in the stores at $69.99.  For more information on the Griffin Simplifi: Charge and Sync dock, media card reader, and USB hub click here.

Bose in ear headphones

I don’t know about you, but I think headphones are a critical part of any multimedia player.  It doesn’t really matter how good the player is if the headphones are not comfortable and do not perform the whole experience is spoilt.

I have never got on very well with the earphones supplied with the iPhone or any of the Apple iPods.  I have loads of sets of unopened headsets stashed away.  Using the Apple ones tends to hurt my ears after a while and they are not the best performers in terms of audio.  This is not a big problem as there are literally hundreds of headsets on the market, the problem is more of which to choose.
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Tired of having to look after the battery on your iPhone?  Then the Fastmac TruePower iV battery charger may be the device you are looking for.  

The Fastmac TruePower iV is a jacket style charger.  Slip your iPhone or iPod Touch into the jacket and you have instant power.  The rechargeable battery in the extender is 3100mAh and is claimed to give you up to 24 hours of talk time, 30 days of standby, or more importantly for me 21 hours of video and 72 hours of audio.  More than enough to get me from one power charge to the next…

The price of the additional power is an increase in size, both in terms of thickness and length.  With your iPhone in the TruePower jacket the device is extended by just over an inch, but the real space comes from the thickness.  The TruePower iV triples the depth of the iPhone making it pretty bulky.

This doesn’t have to be a problem  as you need only slip the phone into the jacket when you need to charge it.  At other times you can leave it in your pocket or bag.
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What do you do first thing in the morning?  Well during my first cuppa I like to think about something to kick-start my mind for the day ahead.

Zen Proverb

One of my favorite applications to do this is Daily Zen.  This has 50 inspirational proverbs to ponder.

Each day you are presented with a new proverb and there are enough of them for nearly 2 whole months.

I must admit that this is not a complex or even a comprehensive application, but then Zennism is a minimalist doctrine and the way is not cluttered with meaningless complications.

Available from the Apple AppStore for $0.99 or £0.59 I consider it somewhat overpriced for a free application this would be good, but after a while you have exhausted the store of proverbs leaving you feeling a little empty.

G-Park from Posimotion is a neat little iPhone application that helps you find your car when you park it in a town that you are not familiar with.  This happened to me the other day when I went to Cambridge with some friends.

G-Park for iPhone main screen

When you park your car you fire up G-Park and you hit the “Park Me!” button.  This fires up the GPS to get your current location and stores it as the point to get you back to later.

I was in a multi-story car park so there was no GPS signal.  I had a rough location from cell triangulation, but this wasnt good enough for me.  I solved this quite simply by exiting the car park and starting again.

You can also take a picture and make notes about your location.  I was parked on deck E in bay 52, so I made a quick note of this and off we went sight seeing.

G-Park for iPhone directions

I dont know if you are like me, but in a strange city I can often loose my sense of direction especially if I am chatting and taking  photos rather than concentrating on where I am going.

G-Park really comes to the fore here.  When you are ready to find your car simply start G-Park and then tap the “Where Did I Park?” icon and you will be taken to Maps with your current location and the car position together with a highlighted route to get there.

All you need to do now is follow the instructions and you will be directed to the place that you left the car. Simple!!!