We’re taking a short break from straight app reviews to walk you through how to load a library e-book on your iPad. Sounds like it would be straightforward, but no so. The topic came up through a comment thread on an earlier post, and I felt it was worth sharing. This is kind of a janky method – but the app suggested by libraries does not work on iPad. So until they fix it, or a credible book rental service comes on the scene – this is a good workaround. The solution I’m presenting today uses a free app called Bluefire, and I’ll run through what you need to start enjoying free e-books on your iPad! Continue reading How to Read Library E-books on the iPad – A Tutorial

So…you think you have a nice library, huh? Full of rare historical works and first edition classics? You probably have a sliding ladder, puffy leather chairs, and a discrete flask harboring a little liquid relief in the desk drawer too. (Don’t worry, your secret is safe.) Unfortunately it’s time to face the music. You got nothin’ on the Bavarian State Library. From medieval manuscripts to Renaissance-age books; Greek and Hebrew religious texts to Gutenberg, they are custodians to some of the most precious commodities in literary history. Fortunately for us, they understand these works belong to the whole human race, and after what must have been a monumental undertaking, they have converted their rare books to digital scans and then into apps for iPad and iPhone. Gnarly. …and..free?! Continue reading Famous Books for iPad Brings the Ultimate Rare Treasures to your Personal Library

Imagine with me for a moment: You’re in the rental car, navigating the streets of Seattle. A cup of Starbucks coffee has just burned your tongue, and you’re giving your GPS the evil eye because it told you to turn right into a large body of water. (Ok, I’m taking some creative license here, work with me.) The point is, you’re about ready to throw in the towel when junior pipes up from the back seat. “Can we go to the Wall of Gum?” Because you are the cool parent you are, you immediately reply, “well duh, let’s go right now“. Only one problem. What’s the Wall of Gum? Does it really exist? And … why? Junior will be able to tell you all about it, because he’s got the Cooper’s Pack Interactive Guide to Seattle. Booyah. Continue reading Cooper’s Pack Interactive Guide to Seattle: an iPad App for Children (Adults Will Enjoy Too)

Update (March 15, 2011) No update to the app itself, but I had a great conversation with mytales digital about backing up the .caf audio files. I’ve updated the information inline with the original review, under the improvements section.

When I was just a rose bud, I had a few favorite songs: My Only Sunshine, Itsy Bitsy Spider, and Hush Little Baby. A couple decades later, I still remember most of the words. Every time I hear the melodies, there’s a little pang in my heart for the bygone days when I knew nothing of politics, broken hearts, careers, and 401K plans. When was the last time you heard a lullaby about saving for retirement? Didn’t think so. No, there’s a special theme to the popular rhymes and lullabies that children revere most as adults. And those are the ones that get recycled – or upcycled in this case – when those children grow up and have their own kids. I don’t have any myself, but I use my family and friends’ kids as guinea pigs when testing children’s apps. And of course I jumped at the chance to review one of my own favorite lullabies on the iPad: Hush Little Baby. I started out with high hopes, so how is the 21st Century version? Continue reading Hush Little Baby: an iPad App Lullaby [Updated]