Talking Tom Cat

(Note: iPod users will need headphones with a microphone, or Tom will not be able to hear you.) The app is free, but I purchased it without ads for $0.99. It's quite adorable. If you download the free version, there is a button which allows you to add other "Talking Friends" to the collection: currently there are three: along with Tom, there are Larry the Talking Bird and Talking Hippo. Except for the label to give the cat milk, none of the labels tell you what the buttons will do. VO does speak the button, but you have to double tap to find out what will happen. When you enter the app, it is immediately in a mode where any noise you make, or any noise immediately in the environment, is fed back to you. If it's vocal, Tom speaks whatever is said in this adorable little voice. Shut off VO so that Tom doesn't repeat every click and vocalization of VO; turn it back on when you're done with Tom. If you rub your finger over the screen gently (with VO turned off), Tom purrs. What I don't like about the app is that you can also "poke, punch, or pull his tail." You can record and video-tape your play sessions with Tom and send them via e-mail, Facebook, or upload to YouTube. It's amusing. Personally, I think it would be great if they input a way for the cat to respond with some comments of its own rather than merely parroting what you say. Perhaps that's in the works.