Type Drawing for the iPhone and iPod Touch

I know, I know, we're all waiting to hear what's new at WWDC today... (Live coverage here begins at 12:30PM ET, have we mentioned that?) but we still have to get down to the business of reviewing apps.

Today we're looking at Type Drawing, a fun, and (for once) appropriately priced app. Type Drawing allows you to, wait for it, draw with type. Select a paper background or use the camera to make your own, enter some text, then as you move your finger across the screen, you create a picture, by "painting" with the text and font you selected. It looks cool, and is just the kind of quick, but interesting app that there should be more of in the app store.

Take a look:

Amazing Piano for the iPhone and iPod Touch Review

Want to carry a piano in your pocket? That's the premise behind Amazing Piano. Rather than being a straight-up re-creation of a keyboard, Amazing Piano takes a cue from Guitar Hero. You press letters on a QWERTY keyboard on-screen, as directed by a moving progression of notes, so you play notes like M# (the "m" key along with the "#" designation button. It sounds confusing, but makes sense when you watch the video below.)

Unfortunately, this configuration means there's a minimal amount of learning actual piano keys from playing. At the same time, there aren't enough different songs for it to be a full-fledged game. Amazing Piano can serve as a basic introduction to making music.

There's also a free version available (without the record feature of the full version) so take that for a test drive, and see if Amazing Piano is right for you.

Take a look:

Pet First Aid for the iPhone and iPod Touch

Today we look at a useful app for pet owners: Pet First Aid. Pet First Aid combines tons of information on basic pet first aid with a focus on dogs and cats. But your dog never gets into trouble! Why would you need this app? Well the app also serves as a single place to keep all the information on your pet, from veterenarian info, to vaccinations, allergies, etc.

And of course, if you happen to have one of those accident-prone pets, the $4.99 app could quickly pay for itself.

Take a look:

Edibles for the iPhone and iPod Touch

There's dieting, and then there are the "data dieters" as I like to call them. These are the people who carefully track calories, fat intake, exercise, weight, etc. And this method may very well be the best to actually see results. Many more people though, take the approach of simply planning to do more exercise and "watch what they eat." Well, if you fall into the first category, you'll love Edibles for the iPhone and iPod Touch. Open the application, and you'll get an inspirational quote, then you're on your own. Edibles does a great job of acting as a diet journal (which is what its intended to do) allowing you to meticulously enter details of each food you eat in a day, including type, serving size, calories, etc. However, be aware that you need to enter this info for the program to work: there are no self-populating values for calories, etc. (a new beta feature does include access to a food info database.)

Edibles is great for what it is: a dieting journal for those who are committed enough already to keep track of every aspect of food/calories in their life. On its own, it might not be the best motivational program, but if you've already decided to take a number-crunching approach to healthier habits, you'll love Edibles.

Take a look:

Caster for the iPhone and iPod Touch

We've never done a top ten list for iPhone games, because frankly, we've been underwhelmed by most games. But Caster might just make it onto the list if we do one. Caster combines great graphics, with on-the-fly view changes, and a storyline and gameplay that is better than most. Of course, it's also $4.99 which puts it on the high-end of iPhone games these days. 

After a quick tutorial level, in which you learn the simple, but unique control scheme for the game, you are off to battle (or avoid) the flanx, a sort of super beetle. While not getting chomped by these giant something-apods, you also collect power orbs, etc. As I mention in the video review below, I really can appreciate this game, even though it's not the kind of game I usually enjoy. If you're on the fence, try the free version (update: free version not currently available in the U.S.) first.

Take a look: