Although most celebrity apps are a waste of time, occasionally a few come out that are useful or just fun to play with. Here are a few recent celebrity apps worth a try.
Kim Kardashian: Hollywood
The famous-for-nothing Kim Kardashian actually gets that she’s a joke, and has turned herself into a game for Apple and Android users. The object of the game is to climb the social ladder and take over the world. It is campy, cute, and it makes fun of the shallow Hollywood scene. Whether you love her or you hate her, you’ll get a kick out of this app. It’s free with in-app purchases. This app needs network access.
Hanx Writer – Tom Hanks
Created by Tom Hanks as a self-deprecating joke at his well-known obsession with typewriters, the Hanx Writer app simulates typing on an old school typewriter on your iPad. When you open the app, it turns your screen into a typewriter from the days before computers. Yes, back in the old days, we did not have delete keys and auto correct. The keys clack when you hit them and the paper moves up as you press the return key. It’s free, but there are two other models of typewriters that you can buy. The other great thing about this app is that it is simple. With carriers like T-Mobile, network coverage is always available, but with this app, you don’t even need Wi-Fi to use it.
Shatoetry – William Shatner
William Shatner makes fun of himself and his signature acting style with his new app for Apple and Android. Shatner has recorded over 500 words that you can string together into what’s called a “Shatism.” At the tap of a button, he will recite your “Shatism” back to you. The app lets you share your “Shatisms” with your friends, and you can play in co-op mode that is kind of like a Shatnerized game of Mad-Libs. Even if you aren’t already a Shatner fan, you will be after you have played with this app. It’s free, but it has in-app purchases of extra word packs. The app requires network access.
Reading Rainbow – LeVar Burton
The Reading Rainbow is an app for the iPad and Kindle Fire that encourages children to read books. Inspired by LeVar Burton’s children’s television program of the same name, the app features children’s books that narrators perform and video field trips as well. The app itself is free to download, and free users can have access to up to five books per month. For a monthly subscription fee, children get unlimited access to all the books in the app’s library. The app works offline.
Bed Intruder – Antoine Dodson
Internet celebrity Antoine Dodson’s Bed Intruder app plays clips from his videos. If you haven’t heard of him, he’s the guy who got interviewed by a television reporter back in 2010 after an intruder broke into his home and almost raped his sister. His appearance, although in bad circumstances, lead to his YouTube fame. The app includes phrases such as “You are so dumb!” and “We gonna find you!” While it’s not much use, it is a lot of fun. It’s ad-supported but free to download.
The Journals of Mama Mae and LeeLee – Alica Keys
Alicia Keys launched her own reading app that tells the story of a little girl and her grandmother. Keys says that the story is inspired by her own relationship with her grandmother and its purpose is to encourage children to read and, in her own words, “This app also touches on intergenerational connections to our grandparents, how much they teach us and guide us.”
Taylor Swift Greeting Card App – Taylor Swift
The winsome and youthful Taylor Swift has her own greeting card app that lets you create saccharine greeting cards to share with your friends and family. It’s like having a Hallmark store in your mobile device, complete with sparkles and pretty pictures. Young girls will love this application, as will any Swift fan. It works on both Apple and Android. The app needs to know your location via the network.
While most celebrity apps are thinly veiled vehicles for self-promotion, there are a few that have content that’s interesting, funny, and even useful at times.
