Xmas Songs - 2 Stars

What is it?

This app gives you access to a selection of Christmas songs for free! The app is basic in its design but gives you access to a collection of free songs for the Christmas period.  

You simply scroll down the list and select the one you want to listen to and it starts to play.  When you select the Play option you are taken to a controls screen that allows you to amend the volume, rewind, fast forward and pause with a novelty candy cane to show the position of the song and festive falling snow flakes.

The songs aren't always chart versions, but they do the trick to give a bit of festive cheer. Please note though that not all of the songs are popular and I had never heard of a lot of  them. There are also a few readings from books, listed as songs which was different, but this is supposed to be a song app so I wasn't impressed with this. 

Another thing, the write up on the app store says there are 10,000 free songs, I don't think so more 200 including the readings!

There is a search option but this is limited to scrolling through the list of songs rather than free text. There is also a download option, but my list was blank, and there are no instructions to tell me what this is or how to use it.

Sometimes it can take a few seconds for the song to load.  There are adds on the app, disguised as songs, but they are easy to spot as they have icons, whereas the songs don't. 

Now for some ratings.....

Ease of use - 3 

This is easy to use as it's selecting songs from a list. My slight frustration with this app is the songs are not all songs, and there is no way to identify this apart from listening to it. 
Price - 3

This is free but there is an option to upgrade. Based on the songs included in the free version I wouldn't upgrade. 

Adverts - 2

There are adverts hidden in the list of songs, but after you click on a couple they are easy to identify. There are also some plugs within the songs, so its worth checking them out before you play them at a Christmas party!

Keep, jury is out or delete - Jury is out

This is a good concept but the songs aren't to my taste and most I haven't heard of. I will see if there are any particular songs I like, but this won't be on my phone come January 2nd. I also don't like it is advertised at 10,000 songs when it is clear it is more 200. With that said it is free and easy to use and worth a look as everyones music taste varies. 

Where to find it:

Apple: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/christmas-music-10-000-free/id474048409 

Android:  Couldn't find on Google Play.

Kids Carols - 4 Stars

What is it?

An app for Christmas released on the 28 November 2014 early enough to get you in the festive mood! This app gives Christmas songs in karaoke style for you to play and sing along to. 

When entering the app it is immediately festive with cartoon drawings of Santa and Rudolf with some animated snow fall thrown in for good measure.  The app does have in app purchases but it is clearly advertised in the App Store and on the app itself. 

When you select a song a festive background is displayed and the song begins. The background changes throughout the song and there are different pictures for each carol. The lyrics to the song are displayed in true karaoke style and the words light up when they should be sung! A good feature of this app is you can control the volume of the choir which fades them out so you can sing solo!

Another nice touch is when you scroll through the song list gold fairy dust appears until remove your finger from the screen. This feature is also available within the songs!

The free songs available are: The Christmas Song, Winter Wonderland and Jingle Bells. - so good classics! There are 10 other songs that can be purchased, either at £0.69 per song or £4.99 for the full collection.

What I did like about this app is that if you click on a for sale item it asks a maths question that a child wouldn't easily know the answer to. If the answer is wrong or the window is shut you are returned back to the song menu without a purchase! This is good for the kids that know your password!

Now for some ratings.....

Ease of use - 5 

This app is really easy to use and navigate around. For the fun service provided it was difficult to fault.
Price - 3

The app is free but does have in app purchases. The cost of the songs seems reasonable when you compare them to songs on iTunes and they come with the karaoke lyrics.  The three songs that come with the app are a good selection and Jingle Bells is one of my favourites. 

Adverts - 5 

There were no adverts in this app which I really liked!

Keep, jury is out or delete - Keep

I liked this app, its a bit of festive fun that isn't difficult to use, has a good free selection of songs and isn't riddled with Ads!

Where to find it:

Apple: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/kids-carols-christmas-song/id740517080 

Android:  Not available.