I often get asked for advice on which apps someone should download and the only way I know how to give advice is to recommend something I’ve tried out with my own children and that limits me to the iPad, Windows Phone and just recently (only the past month) have I had the android. We started out using mostly the iPad and there are even app differences between the iPhone and the iPad so my advice is very device limited I think.
It would be nice if we could find a website that could list all the apps and all the devices but it’s very difficult to keep up with the amount of devices out there and the amount of apps that come out every day, but there is a website that is working on it and so far doing a great job serving as an App Evaluation site on iOS apps.
Thanks to MomItForward, I’m being compensated to participate in a campaign with Balefire Labs. Balefire Labs is dedicated to helping parents find educational apps on the iOS platform saving them time and money. They believe that high quality instructional apps can help children learn and develop usable skills that they will need as they grow into adults and contribute positively to society. They exist because they think that parents and educators should have access to a non-biased, objective source of product reviews so that they have the information they need to choose products that best build children’s skills. Each app is reviewed on certain criteria and an honest evaluation is presented. I did a search for app for the age group 4-6 which is where my children fall and pulled up a basic chart that compared educational apps for their age
Each check mark and x is a category they evaluated and it either passed or failed in that category. You can then go into each app and read a full review that includes pros and cons and the price and where to download it. They currently only have reviews for iOS, however; I did read on their site that they are moving towards adding android. Balefire Labs reviews apps for all ages.
I’m actually really impressed with the amount of thought they put into each app they review and the sheer amount of apps they have reviewed. To me it appears that they provide a very high standard and to receive a B+ is an actual accomplishment that they provide a reward for. Balefire Labs, Inc. is the only service available that uses objective criteria and makes its evaluation process transparent to parents and teachers. Looking at the majority of the apps, I haven’t found an app that has rated above a B+. I really feel that Balefire Labs is doing a great job reviewing apps and I can’t wait for them to expand to Android and maybe eventually even Windows Phone.
Now, if you want to use Balefire Labs it’s a one time fee of 3.99 for a month, or you can pay month to month at that same rate. You could save 1 a month if you pay for one whole year up front for 2.99 each month. To keep up with changes and more information on Balefire Labs Follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Google+.
I’m going to give away three Balefire Labs memberships
Enter to Win:
1 of three Balefire Labs Memberships
To Enter:
Tell me how you have picked apps so far
Extra Entries:
Please use the rafflecopter and leave a way for us to verify it
This giveaway ends September 3rd. Please see our giveaway rules.
