NEXT Music

This app recently changed format and name, and though the ability to watch live music in a social way is an interesting idea, the veritable flood of annoying ads puts a damper on the experience. At first glance, NEXT Music is pretty slick: It looks professional enough, with dynamic, colorful screens and easy navigation, and browsing top 40 hits and livestreams is as easy as tapping a link or swiping the screen. Following performers, sending them "Love," and commenting on their performances is also a snap. As with any app that involves chat, parents will want to set limits and check in about the connections and messages kids make and send. Song clips come with barcodes that let you hear the full songs through Spotify when you find one you like, and the app's basic rhythm game is simple to grasp -- so long as your reflexes are good. But after the first few minutes, the app's entertainment value takes a sharp nosedive.

The first problem is a lack of instruction. The rhythm game aspect contains all kinds of collectibles and upgrades and items but doesn't tell you what they do or how to use them. If you want to learn how to play, you have to do an independent internet search for the developer's website. There's no link within the app. This omission makes rewards feel meaningless, and the various game-related menus confusing. Much worse than this, however, is the app's relentless advertising. Everything requires watching ads: continuing gameplay after making a mistake, earning rewards, even opening rewards. It's ridiculous, as is the blatant bid to make users pay for VIP memberships with ill-defined benefits, as well as five different forms of premium currency. Perhaps the developers weren't making money on the app before, hence the format change. Whatever the reason, despite NEXT Music's interesting features, its ad-heavy design and purchase pushes make it far less enjoyable.