Strange ways to use your iPad and iPhone

Name: Pig Chase

Maker: Utrecht School of the Arts

Compatibility: iPad?

It may only be a concept at the moment, but we may soon be able to interact and play with animals through our mobile devices -- the latest step up in virtual pets?

The Playing with Pigs project from the Utrecht School of the Arts is in development in order to study the relationship between people and domesticated animals.

Pigs play by touching a ball of light in their pen -- which is controlled by the iPad user:

• Every time the pig touches the sphere, it creates colorful sparks. 
• If a human and pig move the ball in harmony, and the ball of light moves through a goal triangle, then it creates a big display of fireworks. 
• The number of goal triangle targets a person and pig hit in one session are recorded on a high score table.

Click here to see a video of the app in action.

Source: Playing with pigs

Name: Painting with Time

Maker: Red Hill Studios

Compatibility: iPad.Requires iOS 3.2 or later

This relatively new iPad application, launched Dec 2011, allows users to add the effect of passing time to images. Based on the 'Exploring Time' documentary series, the user is able to add ageing effects to photography in many different ways.

Whether you would like to use this tool to change people, landscapes, or famous scenes, there's no limit. The app comes with a handy gallery of photos to experiment on, and you can either take slices of an original photo to manipulate or use your finders freestyle.

Source: App store

Name: BedRabbit

Maker: Corendal

Compatibility: iPhone, iPod touch and iPad, iOS 4.0 or later.

Not sure if your partner is telling the truth? This unusual app costs $1.49 and analyses your performance based on certain factors. It monitors the motion of a bed and noise levels in realtime, and afterwards, rates your individual performance with a score of 1-10 based on:

• Intensity
• Rhythm
• Progression
• Diversity
• 'Artistic' performance

If you really want to, you can send your results to others through email.  

According to the app developers:

For best results, lay your iPhone flat on the mattress, not too far from the action. Spring mattresses work best. Make sure the natural ambient noise of your room is not too loud so that your phone can pick up subtle variations. You can verify the detected ranges with the "Noise" and "Motion" monitors (scaled from 1 to 5).

Note: You need to be at least 17 to download this application.

Source: App store

Name: World of Goo

Maker: 2D boy

Compatibility: Android, iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad.

A $4.99 awarding winning app, the 'World of Goo' game is beautifully crafted and strangely addictive. The aim of the game is to drag and drop balls of goo to build structures -- including bridges, cannonballs, and giant tongues (odd combination, I know). 

This game is a physics-based construction game, packed with a number of levels. There is also a bonus mini-game called World of Goo Corporation, where the aim is to build the highest tower using goo balls which the player collected through the course of the main game. Players can compete in this game globally. 

It's wrapped up nicely by PC Gamer:

 "Before long, you're actually building your way out of a creature's stomach. First you've got to make a raft on the sea of his digestive juices, obviously ... ingenious and heart-warming."

Source:  App store

Name: iZen

Maker: Random Ideas

Compatibility: iPad

A $5.99 app for the iPad, iZen can be used to de-stress and relax from a day's pressures. You can choose from hundreds of objects, plants and animals to create a 'Zen' garden. The app also includes a number of soundtracks to help a user relax or meditate. 

Once you have finished creating a garden, it can be saved in a gallery, or shared over email. 

Source: App store

Name: Bubble Snap

Maker: Neil Daniels

Compatibility: iPhone, iPad

A great timewaster, this app is based on one simple thing -- the addictive notion of popping bubble wrap. A user can keep track of the amount of bubbles they 'pop' via touch, and fresh sheets appear once you've completed a screen's worth.

Source: App store

Name: Chakra tuning

Maker: August Hesse

Compatibility: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad.

This $2.99 app works in tune with your 'chakra'  -- seven energy centers in the human body that relate to different aspects of our lives. 

Each chakra has its own corresponding color, and the app provides various sounds in relation to each chakra in order for the user to 'tune' and meditate in relation to different energy centers. 

 Users can also view recommendations for diet, health and vibrational states to help you balance your chakras. According to the app makers, by tuning your chakras you can feel happier, healthier and reduce stress.

Source: App store

Name: iFish Pond

Maker: John Moffett

Compatibility: iPad, iOS 3.2 or later.

This $2.99 app beautifully replicates the motion and movement of water in a pond, where a player can then grab a 'fishing rod' and get the catch of the day. When you play the fishing game, any movement by your fingers on screen result in water rippling effects. To cast and hook, you need to jerk your iPad like a normal fishing rod. There are a number of ponds and sound effects to choose from.

It does, however, drain battery life like there's no tomorrow -- so if you have anything more important to do, you may want to limit your time playing in the pond.

See a cat learning to fish with the app.

Source: App store

Name: iTarot Extreme

Maker: Astrology.com

Compatibility: iPad, iOS 3.2 or later.

This tarot card app costs $14.99 and allows a user to read their fortune through a universal desk of cards. It includes over 20 in-depth readings -- including yes/no, love and relationships, and 'personal discovery'.

Users can download additional desks from a library of over 50 sets. This app also includes language facilities, so you can read your fortune in over 50 languages using Google translate.

Source: App store

Name: Rimshot & Crickets

Maker: Codepacity

Compatibility: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad

This free, ironic app can be used to fill that awkward moment after a joke that bombed, or to try and cover a social faux pas. Full of different sound effects, if your mobile device is on hand, it can at least be used as a distraction to take away the sting from a poorly constructed attempt at humor.

Sound effects available:

• Rimshot (badum-tish)
• Crickets (*chirp*)
• "Sad" Trombone (wa-wah-wahh)
• Golf Clap / Slow Clap  

Source: App store

Name: Hold on!

Maker: IMAK Creations

Compatibility: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad.

This app costs £0.69, just over a dollar. The premise is simple -- hold your finger or thumb down on the button and maintain it for as long as possible. A timer shows your progress and allows you to compete against previous high scores.

If you want to battle against others, a bluetooth option means you can use the app's multiplayer option. 

Source: App store

Name: iSteam

Maker: Konstantinos Eleftheriou

Compatibility: iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad.

The iSteam app costs $0.99 has been downloaded over 2 million times, and the main aim of the app is to turn your mobile device in to a 'steamy' photo editor. The app turns your screen in to a foggy, watery surface, and you can blow on your mic to further haze a screen.

Some features include:

• Write and draw on foggy surfaces
• Shake to clear the screen and start over.
• Use your favorite image as the mirror background.
• Write secret messages for your friends to blow in the microphone and reveal
• Share your edited photos through email.  

Source: App store

Name: iBoak

Maker: Mark McKie

Compatibility: iPhone, iPod touch and iPad.Requires iOS 4.0 or later.

An app that costs $0.69, this is a nasty little bolt-on for your mobile device that makes various vomiting sounds. For the discerning user, there is a number of different sounds you can select from.

Source: App store

Name: Godfinger all-stars

Maker: ngmoco

Compatibility: iPad.Requires iOS 3.2.

A free game app, God finger All-stars allows a user to take on the role of 'God'. You are in control of your own planet and can 'mold it in your image'. Earn money, buy objects, earn followers and level up as a deity.

You are also in control of natural events and weather conditions such as rain, floods, sun and fire. If you choose to use these powers and smite your planet, then you need to give yourself time before your 'mana' rebuilds -- which can be made faster if followers worship you at various shrines.  

Source: App store