Free Apps Roundup for December 14, 2012

This week on the Free Apps Roundup: The wait is over. Google just released Google Maps for iOS. The best part is that it’s even better than the previous Google Maps app that was made by Apple. This one does voice guided turn-by-turn navigation and, of course, you can search using Google’s engine. But if navigation is not your biggest worry, perhaps you’ll enjoy a good game of You Don’t Know Jack. Amazon also updated their Instant Video app to support iPhone. All this and so much more is on the list this week. Don’t forget to check out the limited time freebies. There are a ton of great apps and games just waiting to be downloaded.

The Top Three:

• Google Maps – There’s a decent chance you’ve been holding your breath waiting for this app ever since Apple released iOS 6.0 and stopped using Google’s map data for their own maps app. But the wait is over, and in the end, everyone wins. Why’s that? The new Google Maps app does local search, street view and even voice guided turn-by-turn navigation, which you couldn’t do with the old Apple app. Download it and see if you like it better than Apple’s Maps app. You’re almost guaranteed to like the searching features better.
• YOU DON’T KNOW JACK – It’s the game that asks you about Shakespeare and then about farts. There are many game modes, and you can play against your friends online too. So brush up on your useless knowledge in this free-to-play trivia game.
• Amazon Instant Video – If you’re an Amazon Prime subscriber, you’ll be happy to know that Amazon has update their Instant Video app to now support iPhone and iPod touch. That means you can stream tons of movies and TV shows to your iOS device (and maybe mirror them on your AppleTV too).

Free:

• AR Defender 2 – It’s a multiplayer tower defense game that incorporates augmented reality.
• THEATRHYTHM FINAL FANTASY – Here’s the first music game in the Final Fantasy series. Or at least one song from it.

Free for a limited time:

• LED Music Visualizer – Visualize your music. Make use of that screen while listening to your favorite songs.
• Art – With a title like that, you expect artwork, and that’s just what you’ll get. This app has over 1,800 pieces of artwork in HD in a virtual gallery.
• Quotes Folder – Collect and share quotes. You can save quotes and organize them into folders with tags. That’ll make it easy to find the perfect quote again later when you need it.
• Emperor Galactics – Join the galactic conflict, lead your forces to victory by using your knowledge and tactical skills to control the galaxies.
• Lep’s World 2 Plus – What do you get when you mix Mario Bros with leprechauns? This, I think.
• Fly With Me – Guid birds through the trees and then gobble up some bees. It’s that simple.
• Assassin’s Creed Comics – Everyone loves comics. These ones are about Assassin’s Creed. If you liked the game, you’ll probably like this.
• DM1 – The Drum Machine – This app turns your iPad into an advanced vintage (oxymoron?) Drum Machine. It plays the drums, so you don’t have to.
• DM1 for iPhone – The same, you guessed it, for iPhone.
• Zen Shapes: The Way of the Brush – Immerse yourself in the magical art of puzzle-graphy and create shapes of all forms and sizes.
• Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 12 for iPad – Experience the PGA Tour like a pro from the comfort of your iPad.
• Captain America: Sentinel of Liberty – Here’s a sidescrolling action game that has you playing as Captain America. Help stop the Red Skull!
• THOR: Son of Asgard – Play as Mighty Thor and use Mjolnir to defeat the kingdom’s enemies. For Asgard!
• StarTracker – Every iOS device deserves to have a a night sky app. It’ll help you find the planets, stars, constellations and more.