iphone ipad apps IWRITEWORDS

Aug 31, 2010

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APP AT A GLANCE

PRICE: $2.99

FREE VERSION: yes
CUSTOMER RATING: 4.5 / 5
MY RATING: 4 / 5 (very good)
BUY IT? yes
TRY IT? Absolutely

iWriteWords by gdiplus

We’ve been using the iWrite Words iPhone / iPad app by gdiplus for a while now – and it isfantastic. The lite version is definitely worth checking out first – and may even be fine for your needs. Since I used it so much, I decided to opt for the paid version which is currently $2.99. I don’t see a big difference in the paid version vs. the lite, but just think it’s important to support the small developers who are doing great work.

This iphone / ipad app is great for kids learning their alphabet and a some basic words, mostly animals. The iWriteWords app works by allowing kids to trace uppercase, lowercase, or numbers using their finger to follow Mr Crab to complete each letter. The letters, numbers and words are then sounded out.

The illustrations are absolutely adorable – although keeping this style might be more difficult if they extend the app to have more words. The kid is rewarded with a big cheer.

One of the great things about this alphabet app is that it has been optimized for both the iphone and ipad. Many new apps are coming out for the iPad, but I really love apps that are universal. You might miss out on some of the functionality that you can get by targeting the apps to iPad OR iPhone. But as a parent, it is the iPhone that I have with me all the time and can calm a irritable child.

The app is easy to use for kids and also easy navigate to the home screen. I may be missing something, but for too many apps the only way to start over or get to the home screen is to exit the app.

IMPROVEMENTS?
The only thing stopping me from giving this app 5 stars, is that I would love to see information on the progress and also rewards or sticker charts. I think this would help the parent gauge how well the child was doing, and also to motivate the child.

Comments

Elaine Harding

December 13, 2011

iwritewords is okay, but the routine gets old quite quick. My two kids (just 4 and 5.5) are developing their natural interest in letters, but their attention couldn’t be captured very long with iwritewords. It seems as if the creators had to spice things up with rather ridiculous stuff like the spinning worm hole that has no meaning to a preschooler. I’m much more charmed by the approach that was taken in an app like letterschool. It has this fuse/bomb game in it that really gets my oldest screaming and yelling for the fun of it. He’s repeating the game over and over, which is exactly what you’d like to see, as a parent.

Reply
Ron J

November 9, 2010

I loved the iPad so much, I taught myself how to develop them! The first one was to help track my daughter’s chore allowance. Check out iChores for the iPad at my website.

Reply
1. admin
  
  November 9, 2010
  
  Looks like you developed an interesting app. I reviewed Chore Chart which I thought was great, good luck with this app.
  
  Reply