iPhone Apps for Intellectuals (Part Two)

By Diane Kollman on February 20, 2013

Angry Birds may be one of the best selling apps of all time, but if you’re aiming to maximize your brainpower, choose the apps for intellectuals. Read Part One of this list here.

Trivial Pursuit by Electronic Arts Games [3/5 stars - $0.99]

Being an intellectual doesn’t require you to study all the time; useless trivia can be another way to trigger your desired neuronal activity. The mobile version of the classic board game Trivial Pursuit is a great momentary distraction. The game boasts a multitude of playing styles, including single-player and multi-player options. You can also choose between the classic board game or the continuous pursuit mode.

With thousands of questions and category expansions packs available, this app will provide at least a few hours of mindful entertainment. This version of Trivial Pursuit contains timed multiple-choice questions, many of which are related to the entertainment world. This is more like the Trivial Pursuit Kids board game, so don’t expect questions about quantum physics.

iTunes U/Podcasts by Apple [4/5 stars - Free; 1.5/5 stars - Free]

Apple supplies both of these excellent programs free of charge. With the iTunes U app, you can experience the college classroom without the stress of exams or attendance through online video lectures by notable professors on your topics of choice. Many of the course instructors hail from prestigious universities, such as Yale, Harvard, Duke, Stanford, and even the incredibly distinguished Ohio State University. You are also given access to the course materials, including the assignments, books, and presentations. My personal favorite is the Harvard Justice series with Michael Sandel – give it a try.

The Podcasts app created by Apple has led to my discovery of some fantastic audio programs, most notably the Nerds on History and New Yorker Fiction podcasts. Most podcasts can be downloaded for free and played without Internet connection. Popular programs include NPR and This American Life, but you can find shows about politics, sports, and science as well. Although I have never personally experienced this problem, many users have difficulty downloading or playing podcasts using this app, resulting in its low overall rating.

3D Brain by Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory and Visual Anatomy by Education Mobile [3.5/5 stars –Free; 4/5 stars - $1.99]

If you’re eager to explore the human body, you can examine all the pieces and parts with a visual anatomy app. The free 3D Brain app offered by Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory is both aesthetically pleasing and informative. You can view specific parts of the brain individually and rotate the model in any direction. The best feature of this app is the wealth of factual information listed, including an overview of the area’s functions, related case studies, associated cognitive disorders, and links to recent research. The Visual Anatomy program by Education Mobile presents labeled maps of the different body systems (digestive, nervous, etc.) or specific areas (muscles, eyes, etc.). Each label includes a brief description of that point. One big advantage of this app is that it also features a quiz mode whe

re you can test yourself on the different parts and functions.

Anagram Twist by OmNom Apps [4/5 st

ars - $0.99]

In this word puzzle game, you must create several words from a handful of letters. As the difficulty of the round increases, so does the number of words you must create; you begin with five words and go up to thirty words or more. In order to advance to the next set, you have to solve all fifty puzzles within the previous set. This game can be frustratingly challenging at times, but it can potentially expand your vocabulary or simply provide a way to pass the time with friends.

 

 

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