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Scrabble Apps
These are apps mainly for the iPhone. Searches on Android and Blackberry phones will suggest other apps. The most useful ones to have are a Scrabble game, a word checker and anagrammer and a dedicated Scrabble dictionary. Your Smartphone can also function as a Scrabble clock with the right app. There are also study programs and anagram games to improve your word skills.
Play
Scrabble for iPhone $2.99, iPad, Blackberry,
Android phones (Electronic Arts). This review is for the iPhone version:
The app is low on strategy and will always go for the greatest points. There
are three levels of difficulty but a good tournament player can beat the
computer at the hardest setting. The app does not allow phonies. You have
a choice of dictionaries between TWL and Merriam Webster and you can play
on Facebook. When you are linked to Facebook, there is a "teacher"
facility that shows you the highest scoring play after your turn and when
you are playing on the iPhone, there is a "best word" facility
to show you the highest scoring play before you move.
Tile Tracker for iPhone. $.99. Tracks tiles.
Good for only one game at a time.
Wordcheck/Anagram
Zarf for iPhone, free: Highly recommended, this is a word judge and anagram application with many features. You have a choice of word lists, and can search in pattern, anagram, and build mode. In addition, when you tap on a word, Zarf will give you the front and back hooks, if available, and other letters to make more anagrams. Tapping a word also brings up a link that will launch a definitions website. Zarf also comes with a tournament clock. The one drawback is the small font.
CheckWord for iPhone, free or $.99 for a version with a word builder: A more basic anagram/word judge application than Zarf, the main advantage being a larger font.
JudgeWord for Android, free (by John O'Laughlin). Word check for TWL and Collins (CSW).
LAMPWords for Palm smartphones, free. Downloadable at http://members.shaw.ca/lampwords/ . Highly recommended.
Dictionary
WeDict Pro for iPhone, $5.99: A dictionary application that can run different dictionaries. Does not come loaded with TWL. Search CGP for downloading instructions. It can be tricky to get up and running but it is great to have a dedicated TWL dictionary. You can also download and run other dictionaries.
Clocks
Clocks: Zarf (reviewed above) comes with a built-in clock that allows players to pause and judge words within the app. There are other free or inexpensive clocks available for both the iPhone and other phones. Try researching under "chess clock".
Study
gFlash+ for iPhone, free: Highly recommended. A flashcard application that you can use to test and improve your anagramming skills. Links to lists you create with Google Documents. Assesses your results and then quizzes you on the ones you've missed.
Anagramania for iPhone, free: Anagramming game. The paid version ($.99) supports TWL.