New Technology Reviews!.: dailyipadapp

Daily iPad App: Solar Walk

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Want to tour the Solar System? Solar Walk is a just-updated universal iOS app that allows you to do just that. The new version has support for 3D, so you get some rather stunning renditions of planets and satellites that are more realistic than what's available in a 2D presentation. I reviewed the app in 2010 and found it to be very educational.</div>
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Solar Walk would be very nice for teachers, who could plug it into external monitors in the classroom. As near as I can tell, the app<strike style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; line-height: 1.5;">doesn't support the high end 3D method that uses shutter glasses or polarizing filters</strike>, but instead uses the tried and true red/blue anaglyphic glasses that became popular in the fifties. They are cheap, and easily available from suppliers like Amazon. Note: A late email from the developer says you can use the app with a 3D TV although it is not noted in the app help. Here's how to do it if you have a 3D TV.:</div>
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1. Connect your iPad with an HDMI adapter to the 3d TV<br style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; line-height: 1.5;" />2. Switch on 3D function in Solar Walk Menu.<br style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; line-height: 1.5;" />3. There will appear a question what type of 3D you want to use anaglyph glasses or 3D TV. Choose 3D TV.<br style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; line-height: 1.5;" />4. On you 3D TV screen there will appear two pictures on a screen.<br style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; line-height: 1.5;" />5. Switch 3D mode on a TV.<br style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; line-height: 1.5;" />6. Put on 3D glasses and enjoy.</div>
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You can also see the 3D images just fine on the iPad. Solar Walk includes very detailed graphics and information about our solar system, and this new version adds some movies (in 2D) on tides, circles of latitude, and the zodiacal constellations. My favorite 3D view was of Saturn and its moons.</div>
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With 3D glasses on, the planets and artificial satellites come alive. It was interesting to watch things like the Hubble Space Telescope in its proper real time position slowly gliding over the earth far below. You can navigate to any view that you like, using finger gestures, and you can zoom in and out as well. There is an option to listen to music while you use the app, but I found the music forgettable and distracting.</div>
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Screen captures are supported and background stars are rendered in their proper positions. Solar Walk is very educational, but as before, the textual information is still a bit thin. I always found myself wanting to read more. Perhaps some links to NASA or Wikipedia would be in order. Still, the new features are worthwhile and the app is a reasonable US$2.99.</div>
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This app was created by the team that made the much praised Star Walk app. This app is of equal quality and the graphics are sharp and very attractive. There are some (2D) screen shots in the gallery below.</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" mce_name="strong" mce_style="font-weight: bold;" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.5;">Gallery: Solar Walk version 1.8</span></div>
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<img alt="" height="75" mce_src="http://img3.imageshack.us/img3/8138/swimg0419thumbnail.jpg" src="http://img3.imageshack.us/img3/8138/swimg0419thumbnail.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 640px;" width="75" /><img alt="" height="75" mce_src="http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/7053/swimg0420thumbnail.jpg" src="http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/7053/swimg0420thumbnail.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 640px;" width="75" /><img alt="" height="75" mce_src="http://img21.imageshack.us/img21/1096/swimg0421thumbnail.jpg" src="http://img21.imageshack.us/img21/1096/swimg0421thumbnail.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 640px;" width="75" /><img alt="" height="75" mce_src="http://img835.imageshack.us/img835/413/swimg0422thumbnail.jpg" src="http://img835.imageshack.us/img835/413/swimg0422thumbnail.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 640px;" width="75" /><img alt="" height="75" mce_src="http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/4345/swimg0424thumbnail.jpg" src="http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/4345/swimg0424thumbnail.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 640px;" width="75" /></div>
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Daily iPad App: Solar Walk

Want to tour the Solar System? Solar Walk is a just-updated universal iOS app that allows you to do just that. The new version has sup...

TUAW's Daily iPad App: Wreck This App

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Wreck This App is a creative iPad app based on the book series by Keri Smith. The app takes the fun of doodling and creative expression and brings it to your daily life. The black-and-white interface is child-like and simple, which adds to the allure of the app.</div>
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Wreck This App is arranged in pages and each page has a difference activity. Some require you to perform simple tasks like draw fat and skinny lines, while others instruct you to draw pictures of more complex objects. And it's more than doodles, as sometimes the activities, like the one to document something boring or fill in a page when you are angry, make you think about what you are doing.</div>
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You have a set of standard drawing and writing tools at the bottom page and you can import images from your camera roll to include in your doodles. You don't have to move sequentially through the app, you are free to jump from page to page and can complete each activity as you see fit. When you are done with an activity, you can share it on Facebook, Flickr or via email. You can even save it your photo roll.</div>
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Wreck This App is highly recommended. It has a pleasing interface and is whimsical and fun. In my humble opinion, it's a great way to pass time, far better than playing Angry Birds or Plants vs. Zombies. Wreck this App is a universal app and is available for $4.99 in the iTunes App store.</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" mce_name="strong" mce_style="font-weight: bold;" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,'Bitstream Charter',serif; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.5;">Gallery: Wreck This App</span></div>
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<img alt="" mce_src="http://img99.imageshack.us/img99/2707/wreckapp3thumbnail.jpg" src="http://img99.imageshack.us/img99/2707/wreckapp3thumbnail.jpg" style="border-width: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,'Bitstream Charter',serif; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; max-width: 640px;" /><img alt="" mce_src="http://img696.imageshack.us/img696/8182/wreckapp4thumbnail.jpg" src="http://img696.imageshack.us/img696/8182/wreckapp4thumbnail.jpg" style="border-width: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,'Bitstream Charter',serif; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; max-width: 640px;" /><img alt="" mce_src="http://img109.imageshack.us/img109/1691/wreckapp2thumbnail.jpg" src="http://img109.imageshack.us/img109/1691/wreckapp2thumbnail.jpg" style="border-width: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,'Bitstream Charter',serif; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; max-width: 640px;" /><img alt="" mce_src="http://img845.imageshack.us/img845/2227/wreckapp1thumbnail.jpg" src="http://img845.imageshack.us/img845/2227/wreckapp1thumbnail.jpg" style="border-width: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,'Bitstream Charter',serif; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; max-width: 640px;" /><img alt="" mce_src="http://img191.imageshack.us/img191/5782/wreckapp5thumbnail.jpg" src="http://img191.imageshack.us/img191/5782/wreckapp5thumbnail.jpg" style="border-width: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,'Bitstream Charter',serif; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; max-width: 640px;" /></div>
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TUAW's Daily iPad App: Wreck This App

Wreck This App is a creative iPad app based on the book series by Keri Smith. The app takes the fun of doodling and creative expression...

TUAW's Daily iPad App: Pocket RPG

TUAW's Daily iPad App: Pocket RPG

Crescent Moon Games made the excellent Aralon for iOS in the past, and that was a full-fledged RPG, featuring a whole world to explore ...

TUAW's Daily iPad App: Knot Guide HD

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Similar to playing an instrument, Knot tying is a skill that is developed over time with much practice. It's one of those skills that you don't know you need until you find yourself hiking in the woods and want to tie up a temporary shelter with something other than a basic bow knot used for tying your shoes.</div>
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The next best thing to finding an old salt to show you the ropes is an iPad app, Knot Guide HD from WinkPass Creations. Knot Guide HD has 95 knots that are organized into 17 different categories. There are 83 unique knots and a handful that are variations. You can view the knots via categories, alphabetically, or a customizable favorites list. You can even search if you know the name of a knot.</div>
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The iPad app has a picture of each finished knot and describes how each knot is used. There is also a set of step-by-step directions that show you how to tie the knot. If two strands of rope are used, each strand is a different color so you can tell the two apart. A description accompanies each knot-tying step and you can even add your own custom notes for personal hints, tips or tricks. If there are knots you want to remember, you can add them to your favorites list for easy access.</div>
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Knot Guide HD is designed as a reference guide and it looks excellent on the iPad screen. The images of each knot are crisp and clear, though they could be a bit bigger. The descriptions for each step in the tying process are very helpful as they make it easier to understand how you need to move each strand. Only two major items are lacking -- a quiz /game mode and videos. Other apps in this category include videos to demonstrate the knot and a quiz mode to test your knowledge. Some apps even tie into Game Center so you can earn achievements while you learn.</div>
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Despite these drawbacks, Knot Guide HD is a very useful reference guide for anyone that wants to learn the fine art of knot tying. Knot Guide HD is available in the iTunes App Store for $2.99. There is also an iPhone and Mac OS X version.</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" mce_name="strong" mce_style="font-weight: bold;" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,'Bitstream Charter',serif; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.5;">Gallery: Knot Guide HD</span></div>
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<img alt="Knot Guide HD category view" height="75" mce_src="http://img143.imageshack.us/img143/5821/knotguide1thumbnail.jpg" src="http://img143.imageshack.us/img143/5821/knotguide1thumbnail.jpg" style="border-width: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,'Bitstream Charter',serif; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; max-width: 640px;" title="Knot Guide HD category view" width="75" /><img alt="Knot Guide HD search results" height="75" mce_src="http://img40.imageshack.us/img40/5763/knotguide5thumbnail.jpg" src="http://img40.imageshack.us/img40/5763/knotguide5thumbnail.jpg" style="border-width: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,'Bitstream Charter',serif; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; max-width: 640px;" title="Knot Guide HD search results" width="75" /><img alt="Knot Guide HD Favorites list" height="75" mce_src="http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/7243/knotguide4thumbnail.jpg" src="http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/7243/knotguide4thumbnail.jpg" style="border-width: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,'Bitstream Charter',serif; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; max-width: 640px;" title="Knot Guide HD Favorites list" width="75" /><img alt="Knot Guide HD step-by-step instructions" height="75" mce_src="http://img24.imageshack.us/img24/9140/knotguide2thumbnail.jpg" src="http://img24.imageshack.us/img24/9140/knotguide2thumbnail.jpg" style="border-width: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,'Bitstream Charter',serif; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; max-width: 640px;" title="Knot Guide HD step-by-step instructions" width="75" /><img alt="Knot Guide HD lets you add a personal note" height="75" mce_src="http://img839.imageshack.us/img839/7049/knotguide3thumbnail.jpg" src="http://img839.imageshack.us/img839/7049/knotguide3thumbnail.jpg" style="border-width: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,'Bitstream Charter',serif; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; max-width: 640px;" title="Knot Guide HD lets you add a personal note" width="75" /></div>
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TUAW's Daily iPad App: Knot Guide HD

Similar to playing an instrument, Knot tying is a skill that is developed over time with much practice. It's one of those skills th...