Shimmer and Shine: Genie Games
© 2017 Nickelodeon
Apple says this is one of the "Apps We Love" in iTunes. So we downloaded a paid version, and once again, wonder about Apple's selection process. Not only is the interactive design rudimentary, the content is limited to four non-original games, each with a "bling" theme. The paid app includes ads for additional Nick content, within the context of the child's experience. Translation? Not good on many levels for a paid app. Apple can make wonderful hardware and curved glass buildings, but has yet to master how to recommend well designed, ethical apps for children. Need to know: If apps were people, this one would be a chatty, overly helpful teacher who likes glitter, and who assumes you've never touched a screen. There's excessive coaching (a lot) and that you need rewards in order to stay interested in a game. S/he also sends a detailed report of what you do and gives it to the publisher, and recommends other Nick-related apps. In app-speak "this app may include the use of persistent identifiers for game management purposes and installation of this app constitutes your permission to such usage of persistent identifiers for all users on your device." All for $2.99.
$2.99, iPad, iPhone, Android
Teaches: logic, classification
CTR Rating: 62%