Gadget Reviews, Product News, Electronic Gadgets

Persian Cat Press, the independent, Manchester-based publisher just released Cat-Nav, its first app, aimed at helping readers find the best picture books, graphic novels, and other book apps. Each week Cat-Nav choses six book apps to highlight with thorough, entertaining reviews that include cheers and jeers for the apps in question.
Cat-Nav will be a boon for new iPad owners since it makes the overwhelming nature of Apple’s App Store more manageable. Readers who really want just the cream of the crop can go to the “Our Favourites” section for a more limited selection of can’t-miss titles. Cat-Nav also allows users to access its archives, which means that over time it will become an indispensable resource to all book app fans.

The Cat-Nav’s book reviewers are literate and entertaining. Each review includes a star rating (out of 10) as well as an appropriate age range for the title. While most titles seemed to focus on readers between 4 and 12 years of age, that is likely a reflection of what is available in the App Store, it was certainly possible to find recommendations appropriate for adult readers as well.
Cat-Nav’s UI is simple and elegant. It’s easy for users to purchase a reviewed title. Tapping the app icon will take the reader directly to the App Store. The menu bar at the bottom makes it easy for readers to reach Persian Cat Press by email, web browser, Facebook or Twitter. There is also a home button that returns the user to the app’s main screen.
What does it take for an app to be included in Cat-Nav? “We’re looking for the kind of features we put into Persian Cat press apps — a great story, fantastic writing, vibrant artwork, beautiful music, evocative narration, and stylish typography,” says Sean Smith, Persian Cat Press’ Marketing and PR manager. “We’re also big fans of interactivity that adds to a story rather than takes something away from it.”
Though I peruse the App Store for interesting titles on a regular basis, I was pleased to find both some favorite titles in the archives as well as a few that were new to me. I plan to check out Dickens: Dark London and Atlas Shrugged right away. Cat-Nav will now be a regular part of my iPad routine. It is like having a curated bookseller in the palm of your hand.
Via:padgadget