All posts tagged zen

Weekend Distraction: Jar of Marbles for iPhone and iPad

Screen shot 2013-02-22 at 8.42.16 AMThis is a special kind of game.

You don’t have to think.

You just kind of zone-out. Seriously. I often play this on my iPad before I go to sleep. It’s downright relaxing. zzzzzzzzzzzz

Not boring. Relaxing.

The basic premise is that you are given a jar full of marbles, and presented with one marble at a time to drop into the jar. Every time you click three marbles together, they drop out of the jar. Your goal? Empty the jar. Yawn, right? Surprisingly addicting!

There are LOTS of options, of course. Difficulty level, free style or timed … and the shapes of the bowls can be altered, also, to make it a bit more challenging.

This is a Big Fish game, and those who are familiar with Big Fish know that they are known for excellent graphics and solid design.

Photo Skitch Document-19

Jar of Marbles is a free download in the iTunes store. There is an in-app purchase (if you like it) to unlock the entire game for $1.99. This works on the iPhone or iPad.

13 Comments
by sharechair on February 22, 2013  •  Permalink
Posted in Apps, Games, iPad, iPhone, Weekend Distraction, Zen
Tagged , , , , , , , ,

Posted by sharechair on February 22, 2013

http://sharechair.wordpress.com/2013/02/22/weekend-distraction-jar-of-marbles-for-iphone-and-ipad/

Weekend Distraction: Finger Piano for iPad

Screen shot 2013-02-08 at 10.42.40 AMThis app is just plain fun. It turns your iPad into a piano … and a darn good one, at that!

And you don’t have to know how to play the piano (actually, it’s probably really only fun for those who DON’T play the piano in real-life. :) )

It comes with many Classic songs to play, with the option of using your right hand, left hand, and sometimes the option for two hands (if you are very talented).

The screen opens to the piano, and you have a few controls across the top. Tap ‘Songs’ and a large number of choices drop down.

Photo Skitch Document

Select your song and play away … or listen. If you tap the ‘play’ button, you can hear how the song should sound. Of course, your goal is to sound just as good. I’ll confess, I NEVER hit the play button. I just choose songs, and tap merrily on the keys. To my ears, I’m doing fine.

To play, scrolling guides come down from the top of the screen. Your job is to tap the key as the scroll-guide passes by it. A short note will be indicated by a tiny guide, while a longggggg note will have a longgggg guide.

Photo Skitch Document-1

Quite easy to follow, yet challenging enough to feel great when you get it right.

Truly this app deserves to be tagged a “distraction.” Quite absorbing!

There are a few other tweaks. You can select different instrument sounds, and you can alter the piano key size.

For even more fun, connect your iPad to a speaker, and you will be amazed at the music coming from your efforts on your own little (loud) electric piano.

I’m linking to the preview for Finger Piano for iPad, because this is the one that I have on my iPad and have used for a very long time. There are, however several other similar options available in the iTunes store by the same developer. Some of the other options put the Finger Piano on the iPhone, or allow you to buy other music ‘packs’. But since I have not personally experienced those other versions, I’ll only link to the one I’ve used. If you are interested in the others, just visit iTunes and do a simple search for “Finger Piano” (by the developer Junpei Wada).

Finger Piano is $2.99 in the iTunes store.

15 Comments
by sharechair on February 8, 2013  •  Permalink
Posted in Apps, Beginners, iPad, iPhone, Weekend Distraction
Tagged , , , , , , , , ,

Posted by sharechair on February 8, 2013

http://sharechair.wordpress.com/2013/02/08/weekend-distraction-finger-piano-for-ipad/

Twitter Lights Up the World

Screen shot 2013-02-03 at 6.25.31 PMI came across this on the internet the other day and I thought it was really

interesting

cool

awesome.

A web designer, using a map of the world, displays a bright pixel for EVERY tweet, as it happens. When you open the page, the world is basically dark. But as the tweets fly, it gets brighter and brighter.

There are bunches of statistics at the bottom of the page, too, and if you are interested in learning more, you can stick around on his website to take it all in.

I just enjoyed leaving the image on my screen and watching as the tweets made the planet brighter and brighter. Remember, it’s dark at first, because the tweets are counted from the moment YOU access the page. The longer you stick around, the brighter it gets.

(When you first open the page, tap the center arrow to drop the statistics down to the bottom.)

Then prepare to be mesmerized as you watch the Tweets light up the world at:

Screen shot 2013-02-03 at 6.55.29 PM Tweetping

36 Comments
by sharechair on February 3, 2013  •  Permalink
Posted in Uncategorized, Zen
Tagged , , ,

Posted by sharechair on February 3, 2013

http://sharechair.wordpress.com/2013/02/03/twitter-lights-up-the-world/

Weekend Distraction: Montezuma Puzzle for iPhone and iPad

Screen shot 2012-12-14 at 8.50.55 AMAt this time of year, everyone is busy doing something. Decorating, shopping, baking, visiting, partying, traveling … whew.

No time to “learn” a new game. That’s too much effort.

But how about a real distraction? You already know what to do.

NO learning curve.

Montezuma Puzzle.

Pretty, colorful, and responds nicely to your touch.

Fit the shapes on the screen. That’s it.

Gradually gets harder, but not crazy.

Go ahead .. Zone out … but don’t forget those cookies in the oven!

Photo Skitch Document-5

Photo Skitch Document-6

Montezuma Puzzle is free in the iTunes store.

15 Comments
by sharechair on December 14, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Apps, Beginners, Games, iPad, iPhone, Puzzle, Weekend Distraction, Zen
Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Posted by sharechair on December 14, 2012

http://sharechair.wordpress.com/2012/12/14/weekend-distraction-montezuma-puzzle-for-iphone-and-ipad/

Watch YouTube Videos Offline with VideoTube

**** update: This app no longer allows you to download videos. :( However, there is another! Go to this post to find an app that will download videos to play offline: Watch YouTube Videos Offline on your iPhone or iPad.

Several years ago, I installed a program on my computer that would allow me to download YouTube videos. For a while I was like a kid in a candy shop, downloading favorite music videos, scenes from movies, comedy sketches …. I was giddy with glee. (until it stopped working. :( )

Fast forward to Life as we know it, with our portable devices taking center stage.

When traveling with my iPad, I have often thought how cool it would be to load it up with downloaded YouTube videos. How great to be in the car, or plane or bus, and be able to watch a favorite clip.

To my delight, a friend recently told me about the app that she uses to do this deed! (Thanks, Margo!! :) )

With VideoTube you can download many most videos and watch them later. (Some videos are not available for download). It’s easy … and wildly wonderful if you plan to be offline for a while.

Once you have the app VideoTube on your iPad (or phone), here is all you do:

Search for a video that you would like to download.

Touch the upper right hand corner of the screen, and (if it is allowed) the video will begin downloading.

As it is downloading, you will see this screen:

And then this:

When you want to go back and look at any of the videos you have downloaded, and watch them in some place (planes, trains, automobiles) that does not have internet, all you do is tap the “downloads” symbol at the bottom of the app. You will be taken to a screen with thumbnails of all your videos. Just tap one to watch. Easy, breezy. :)

The only thing that saddens me about this app is that the videos are stored as part of the app, not separately. So if you trash the app, you lose your videos. But this isn’t a big issue, and it does not interfere with my happiness that I am now able to watch offline.

Offline! That’s the Bottom Line. And I am delighted.

VideoTube is available in the iTunes store for free (with ads).

You can also purchase VideoTube for $2.99 (without ads).

12 Comments
by sharechair on November 14, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Apps, Beginners, iPad, iPhone, Video
Tagged , , , , , , , ,

Posted by sharechair on November 14, 2012

http://sharechair.wordpress.com/2012/11/14/watch-youtube-videos-offline-with-videotube/

Weekend Distraction: Blockwick

This Weekend Distraction requires a bit of thinking. Not too much (you won’t strain your brain), but some thought is required.

It is a simple game, yet … not.

Highly reviewed, mostly 5 star ratings.

It looks beautiful on the iPad.

It starts off with several blue blocks. These blocks are moveable, and so are various other blocks on the screen. Your job: move the blocks around so that similar colored blocks can touch each other.

Each screen gets a tad harder. You’ll see more blue blocks, and other color blocks are added to match as well. The screens also get more complicated with obstacles that don’t move at all.

When you have done your job, and the appropriate blocks touch, they light up, they glow, and pleasantly let you know that you succeeded and it’s time to move on to the next screen.

Blockwick is designed for both the iPhone and the iPad and is FREE in the iTunes store (for the first 60 levels).

6 Comments
by sharechair on November 9, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Apps, Beginners, Games, iPad, iPhone, Weekend Distraction, Zen
Tagged , , , , , , , , , , ,

Posted by sharechair on November 9, 2012

http://sharechair.wordpress.com/2012/11/09/weekend-distraction-blockwick/

Weekend Distraction: Little Things for Your iPad

After all this commotion this week about the release of the new iPhone and all the good (and bad) of iOS6, well, I’m ready for a “little” Weekend Distraction.

I like my devices to occasionally deliver a little peace. A little down-time. A little Zen.

It’s time for “little things”.

This is a hidden pictures game that doesn’t try to hide the pictures within a scene, rather it just assembles mass quantities of “little things” into the shape of a bigger thing, and your job is to find some named little things within that big thing.

You can zoom in (my eyes thank the developers for that feature) to find those little things.

The background music is soft and soothing. Truly relaxing.

Just open the app and zone out. No thinking required. No interacting with anyone.

Find a few little things, then return to the real world if you can (it is a bit addictive!).

Little Things is $2.99 in the iTunes App store.

18 Comments
by sharechair on September 22, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Apps, Beginners, Games, iPad, Weekend Distraction, Zen
Tagged , , , , , , , , , ,

Posted by sharechair on September 22, 2012

http://sharechair.wordpress.com/2012/09/22/weekend-distraction-little-things-for-your-ipad/

Weekend Distraction: Photo Hunt HD for iPad

We’ve all played this kind of game at some point in our lives. You know the type: Look at two pictures of the same thing, (except they aren’t really the same), and find the differences.

I downloaded this game a very very long time ago, and the app has been improved several times since then. It’s wonderful when developers keep after their apps and keep making them better. Applause for improvements!

This game is simple and quite beautiful. The photographs are stunning on the iPad. Many subjects in nature, scenery, cityscapes and all sorts of animals. And, there are ONE THOUSAND photos to play through. It’s pricy at $4.99, but the app is quality, and with so many photographs, it will keep you busy for a long, long time. You can also play your own music which is always an appreciated feature.

There are several modes of play, including a ‘beat the clock’ type, and the more zen-like ‘just take your time’ (which I prefer).

It’s one of those games that you can just pull up, spend a few minutes and move on.

All you do is gaze at the photos and tap a spot where you see a difference. If you are correct, a circle will appear around the spot.

As the picture is presented:

Differences found!

As the picture is presented:

Differences found!

One more……. only this time, I’ll just show you the screen shot. It’s your turn to find the differences! (there are 5 )

Photo Hunt HD for iPad is $4.99 in the iTunes store.

10 Comments
by sharechair on September 14, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Apps, Beginners, Games, iPad, Puzzle, Weekend Distraction, Zen
Tagged , , , , , , , , ,

Posted by sharechair on September 14, 2012

http://sharechair.wordpress.com/2012/09/14/weekend-distraction-photo-hunt-hd-for-ipad/

Gratitude365: An App That Keeps You Grounded in Gratitude

Gratitude Journals are very popular, and you can find a number of them in the iTunes store. But this new one joined the crowd a short time ago, and it is a winner.

Gratitude365 is simple, intuitive and visually attractive.

You create a daily entry and list anything that you are thankful for that day. You can also add a photo from your camera roll, or take a photo through the app. Each time you list an item that you are grateful for, it appears on a line with a bullet in front. It is designed for lists, so it’s quick and snappy. Having this app on your iPhone allows you to add to it throughout the day, rather than having to try to remember and re-wind your day later that night. (This is a great way to grab those “small things”, those everyday things and moments that are actually extraordinary treasures.)

The calendar view (below) displays the photos you have chosen individually throughout the week, giving you a lovely visual through time of all things for which your are grateful.

Gratitude365 will work on your iPhone and/or on your iPad. You can share the gratitude calendar from within the app through email, Twitter, Flicker or Facebook.

Looking back at the calendar view, and knowing what all those pictures represent, how can that do anything but make you Happy?

Gratitude365 is currently 99¢ in the iTunes store.

12 Comments
by sharechair on August 28, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Apps, Beginners, iPad, iPhone, Zen
Tagged , , , , , , , ,

Posted by sharechair on August 28, 2012

http://sharechair.wordpress.com/2012/08/28/gratitude365-an-app-that-keeps-you-grounded-in-gratitude/

Zen in the Morning: Progressive Alarm Clock

I do not enjoy walking up to an alarm. There is something just so horribly jarring about “sudden” noise when you are sleeping. I don’t think nature intended us to wake up this way, but (of course) we have to wake up when it’s time to wake up.

Alarm apps abound, and over the years I have downloaded several. (Well, to be honest, more than several :) )

Of them all, the Progressive Alarm Clock always rises to the top of my most-used alarms.

It has been completely reliable, and has never, ever let me down.

It provides a gentle, peaceful way to gradually wake up in the morning, using the chime sounds of Tibetan Singing Bowls.

You can choose between 6 different chimes, and it is easy to sample all 6 to make your choice.

There are a variety of options, so you can tweak it to your personal preference.

I have set a deep bell on my alarm. When morning comes, it starts to chime very softly…… so softly at first, that it is barely audible.

Then, every 10 seconds, it chimes again. Just a little louder, then a little louder again. A peaceful, gentle wake up.

Progressive Alarm Clock by Spotlight Six Software is $1.99 in the iTunes store.

27 Comments
by sharechair on August 14, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Apps, Clocks, iPad, iPad tips, iPhone, iPhone tips, Zen
Tagged , , , , , , , , ,

Posted by sharechair on August 14, 2012

http://sharechair.wordpress.com/2012/08/14/zen-in-the-morning-progressive-alarm-clock/

« Older Posts
Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.

Join 414 other followers