Needs to be a dedicated Dictionary app

dba415 said:

I have Merriam Webster on my iPhone but it's just a waste of space that can be alleviated if there was a dedicated dictionary app.

Click to expand...

The app would still take up space. I would rather have the option of downloading the app.

I've been wanting this for a while too!
Even the Mac has its own dictionary app. Also, it would be cool if the dictionary was added to Spotlight on iOS just like it is on the Mac. The dictionary app could be similar to the Mac one, with a dictionary, thesaurus, and Wikipedia (and how about some pronunciation).

Dictionary+

I've been using Dictionary+ for the last few months on my iPhone and iPad. It's free and universal, and it utilizes the built-in dictionary.

Unfortunately I can't seem to find it anymore on the App Store. I hope it was not forced down by Apple.

iOS has a built in Dictionary. Double tap and hold until the magnifying glass pops up, move to the word you want then select "Define" from the menu. I used to use an app until iOS5 added the built in dictionary.

iPhoneApple said:

The app would still take up space. I would rather have the option of downloading the app.

Click to expand...

I don't think an Apple Dictionary app would take up much space. Whereas a third party dictionary would take up much more space because of their own definitions and content, the iOS dictionary app could just be an "empty app" that has access to the built-in dictionary, and has a list as well as a search option.

RNVarma said:

I've been using Dictionary+ for the last few months on my iPhone and iPad. It's free and universal, and it utilizes the built-in dictionary.

Unfortunately I can't seem to find it anymore on the App Store. I hope it was forced down by Apple.

Click to expand...

this is the one I use too. can't believe it was free while it was still in app store.
tried a bunch of other dictionary apps, but this one is much more simpler and actually apple-esque
fav dictionary app

I've uploaded my copy of Dictionary+ if you want to give it a try.

I had to change the filename to .pdf to upload; just change it to .ipa to get the file back to normal. [Note: I removed the file since you need to be authorized in order to use even a free .ipa]

Also, I contacted the author of the app, and they said that Apple had it removed.

forget the app. They should just implement it into spotlight

oh christ could you imagine the gaudy faux leather bound UI

Why? Google's a better dictionary than a standalone app ever could be.

RNVarma said:

I've uploaded my copy of Dictionary+ if you want to give it a try.

I had to change the filename to .pdf to upload; just change it to .ipa to get the file back to normal.

Also, I contacted the author of the app, and they said that Apple had it removed.

Click to expand...

Lame!

I still have it, and it still restores from iCloud backup... Guess I better be careful.

Yeah, here's hoping it either continues working well on iOS 6 or that Apple has a dedicated app in the works.

Just ask Siri.

Ah, that sucks. I thought since it was free it would work.

There used to be several built-in dictionary front-end apps, it seems like they are no longer in the App Store, I can only assume Apple booted them, which is stupid.

dba415 said:

Why doesn't iOS have a dedicated dictionary app? Seems like it is dumb to not have an app, considering iOS has a dictionary built-in. I can type anything in notepad and can define it using iOS, but I can't go into an actual app where I can type the word I need defined.

I have Merriam Webster on my iPhone but it's just a waste of space that can be alleviated if there was a dedicated dictionary app.

Click to expand...

Why not just use dictionary.com app? Or Safari?

dba415 said:

I have Merriam Webster on my iPhone but it's just a waste of space that can be alleviated if there was a dedicated dictionary app.

Click to expand...

Having the dictionary built-in would not really save any space, but I think it should be built-in. A dictionary is something that every computer should come with. Or it should at least be able to use an online dictionary resource to look up words.

----------

cmichaelb said:

Why not just use dictionary.com app? Or Safari?

Click to expand...

It's a pain to have to do that every time. If you right-click a word in Mac OS, it lets you ask for the definition, and it shows it to you right there from within the app you are running.

I wish there was an app like Dictionary+ still available so I wouldn't have to waste an extra 100mb on other apps such as Dictionary.com. There's no point to have the same info in an app thats already built into the OS, it just needs a GUI.

mrsir2009 said:

Why? Google's a better dictionary than a standalone app ever could be.

Click to expand...

Not really. Apple's built in dictionary is much more detailed and gives etymology and more than just the basic definition. Being able to select a word and define it is much easier than opening a new tab and typing the word into Google.

I really want a dictionary app too or at least be able to type into Spotlight. Sometimes I find myself finding a random text field to type my word and then define it. I don't know why Siri doesn't define words using Apple's dictionary. Wolfram Alpha's definitions don't even make sense.

mrsir2009 said:

Why? Google's a better dictionary than a standalone app ever could be.

Click to expand...

The OS X/ios dictionaries are absolute crap in my opinion. I get so frustrated writing because the ineptness of the spell correction distracts my somewhat dyslexic efforts. I generally need to google the word I need to spell.

quasinormal said:

The OS X/ios dictionaries are absolute crap in my opinion. I get so frustrated writing because the ineptness of the spell correction distracts my somewhat dyslexic efforts. I generally need to google the word I need to spell.

Click to expand...

Indeed. Google is much, much better at guessing words.

lunaoso said:

I wish there was an app like Dictionary+ still available so I wouldn't have to waste an extra 100mb on other apps such as Dictionary.com. There's no point to have the same info in an app thats already built into the OS, it just needs a GUI.

Click to expand...

I still have that useful app on my 5.1.1 4S, and I'm gonna feel bad when I have to upgrade to iOS 6.

RNVarma said:

I still have that useful app on my 5.1.1 4S, and I'm gonna feel bad when I have to upgrade to iOS 6.

Click to expand...

I've never had it before. I heard about it around a week after it was pulled.