Appy entertainment
06 Aug 2013
The beauty of today’s mobile phone technology and portable tablet devices is the broad range of what they can do. On top of their practical functions, iPhones, iPads and Androids are also a compact source of entertainment.
Both iTunes and the Android store, Google Play, offer a huge range of games to download and play.
Here’s our pick of the top five apps that are not only fun to play, but stimulating for the brain.
Words with Friends
Words with Friends is an adaptation of the classic board game, Scrabble. Challenge your friends or other users to a game of scrabble that can be played anywhere you have phone reception. As well as being able to play remotely to your opponent, the game can be played at your own pace, as there’s no time limit between turns. Each time your opponent completes a move the app alerts you that it’s your turn. If you’re looking to keep things moving why not play multiple games at one time.
What’s great about the app is that it is challenging and keeps your mind active even when you are physically on your own.
Use the chat feature to connect with your opponent and dole out some healthy competitive banter.
Monopoly
The Monopoly application brings the original board game to life, with animated tokens and game play.
The game is easy to use. Simply shake your phone to roll the dice and tap on the screen to manage your properties.
Perfect for a bit of friendly competition, you can invite multiple friends to play against each other in the one game.
As well as being fun, Monopoly tests your strategic money and property management skills.
When versing computer opponents in single play you can up the stakes by increasing the difficulty settings of the game.
Plus, the app includes an adjustable soundtrack that includes smooth, swing and jazz music.
The iPad and iPhone compatible app costs $0.99 on the iTunes store. The Android version is more expensive and costs $5.49 on Google Play.
Lumosity
Lumosity is an application designed to improve your memory, attention and overall brain performance through scientific brain workouts. Build a personalised training program by entering your age and choosing from one of five cognitive areas you want to improve; speed, memory, attention, flexibility and problem solving.
Your results and progress are tracked within the app. Outside of your personalised program you can select games at any time from the ‘games’ tab.
One example of a game is Penguin Pursuit, where you race a penguin through a maze on an iceberg before another penguin has the chance to beat you. The iceberg rotates while the arrow keys stay in their original place, making the game slightly more challenging.
Also included in the app are scientific studies that explore the effectiveness of cognitive training games.
Lumosity costs $84.99 on the iTunes store. A free three-day version is available to try before you buy. The app is currently not available on Android.
Crossword Plus
Why wait for the next edition of the paper to get your crossword fix.
Convenient and compact Crossword Plus offers puzzles across three levels of difficulty. The app keeps a record of your play time as well as your best time to date.
A help function offers hints on individual letters and whole words. Of course this is only for use when you really get stuck.
There are a number of free crossword apps available on the iTunes store and Google Play, so shop around to find the one with the best content to suit you.
Draw Something 2
Draw Something is a Pictionary style game where players take it in turns to draw a picture for the competitor to guess.
Each turn players are presented with a list of three randomly selected words, one of which they choose to draw.
As with Pictionary, players can see the picture being progressively drawn.
The new version even gives you the option of drawing with a highlighter, pattern pen, pixel pen or crayon, using a number of colours.
Every picture you draw is saved in a personal gallery and you can also browse the gallery of other users.
This game is a great way to exercise the artistic side of your brain without having to clean up the mess of paints.
Draw Something is free and is available on the iTunes store and Google Play.
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