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iPad Apps: Things, Square, Sketchbook Pro, Warpgate, Magic Piano

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Alongside the iPad launch on Saturday was the launch of a several thousand new iPad app with many more coming. Developer interest in the iPad has been strong, and it will be interesting to see the direction of the apps over time. We can't cover them all, but here are a collection of useful and/or interesting ones that we've run across (with videos linked in article):

Things - iPad task manager
Square - Mobile credit card processing. Get a free reader for signing up.
Sketchbook Pro - "professional-grade" paint and drawing application
Warpgate HD - space exploration, trading, battles and quests.
Magic Piano - perhaps more a musical toy than instrument

Article Link: iPad Apps: Things, Square, Sketchbook Pro, Warpgate, Magic Piano
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2010/04/05/ipad-apps-things-square-sketchbook-pro-warpgate-magic-piano/
I just got Things last night, I haven't played around with it too much but it looks nice.
 
What I don't get is why does that Square thing use the audio jack and not the dock connector? It would be so much more stable! Another thing is that why doesn't it have a chip reader instead of the magnetic strip reader? Then you wouldn't have to swipe it, you wouldn't have to sign it and it would be more reliable as well...
 
Apple should partner with Nintendo, it would be amazing to use the iPad as a control surface. Imagine how the Metroid series would be enhanced via touch!
 
"Things" nailed the video. Really nice promo. It seemed a bit expensive for the functionality shown. Does it sync up with the web, or any of the built-in apps? (like Bento does?)

I thought Sketchbook Pro looked very nice also. I wonder about the 6 layer limit though. I tend to use lots of layers in Gimp / Photoshop... Maybe it won't matter for quick sketch-ups, as you'd export them for final editing on the desktop. I'll probably grab this one.

It's nice to see a thread about applications and usage rather than people complaining about imaginary possible limitations because of some specs they don't really understand. LOL
 
Down below, the battle stands in the balance...

Or not.

These early apps are well tuned to the "lame, only single core, cortex A8 with a mere 256MB RAM, and mostly single tasking" or so the meme goes. Each demonstrates the power of the A4, benchracing not withstanding.

At some point and after the arrival of the 3G iPad, with the App store busting at the seam with quantities of high quality iPad apps, the negative memes will fade into the background, and we can get on to complaining of the lack of Mac product refreshes.

For the "not good enough for content creation" crowd that see's the lack of Office and Flash as critical flaws;

Buh Bye!
 
Anyone have ideas about a good simulation game like simcity, sim tower even the game we rule, but does not require buying those in game items. I dont mind paying for the game but hate the hidden costs.

Don Kosak said:
I thought Sketchbook Pro looked very nice also. I wonder about the 6 layer limit though. I tend to use lots of layers in Gimp / Photoshop... Maybe it won't matter for quick sketch-ups, as you'd export them for final editing on the desktop. I'll probably grab this one.
Click to expand...

What is a good photo editor for the ipad that includes rotate, crop and resize?
 
baryon said:
What I don't get is why does that Square thing use the audio jack and not the dock connector?
Click to expand...

Because it does not use the dock connector it is not part of the Made for iPod/Works with iPhone Program. Which means the hardware has not gone under extensive testing and certification by Apple (saves money). Also, because it is not part of the MFi program they don't have to pay Apple a royalty fee, further, they were not prevented from marketing their product before it was released (that's why you've heard about it for almost a year).

It's not an Apple approved method of interfacing with the iPhone, iPad or iPod touch. I'm a little surprised Apple approved their app since their hardware bypasses the Apple hardware licensing revenue stream for products that do comply with the MFi program.
 
baryon said:
What I don't get is why does that Square thing use the audio jack and not the dock connector?
Click to expand...

Probably because it bypasses the "Made for Apple" program where Apple takes 10% of the cost of each item sold.
 
How can anyone watch these videos and all the videos and info on the Apple website and STILL say this is JUST A LARGE iPHONE?

This device is quite a bit more, and obviously better for computing due to screen size. It looks incredibly cool and smooth.
 
Not so much on that square software... hmm sure stranger you can swipe my credit card no problem :rolleyes:

Things does look kida cool.
 
Lesser Evets said:
How can anyone watch these videos and all the videos and info on the Apple website and STILL say this is JUST A LARGE iPHONE?

This device is quite a bit more, and obviously better for computing due to screen size. It looks incredibly cool and smooth.
Click to expand...


Because it is. The iPad does nothing that the iPod Touch and iPhone can't do. The only limiting factor is the size of the iPhone/iPod Touch. Obviously once the iPad matures, things will change, but right now it's just an oversized iPhone/iPod Touch. It will get better and distance itself with time, but the core will always be the iPhone OS API's, most features and the sort.
 
Warpgate looks good

Warpgate looks awesome. It reminds me of the great Escape Velocity games by Ambrosia SW.
 
ghostface147 said:
Because it is. The iPad does nothing that the iPod Touch and iPhone can't do. The only limiting factor is the size of the iPhone/iPod Touch. Obviously once the iPad matures, things will change, but right now it's just an oversized iPhone/iPod Touch. It will get better and distance itself with time, but the core will always be the iPhone OS API's, most features and the sort.
Click to expand...

There has already been a noticeable divergence in software for the iPad and the iPhone. Screen size does makes a difference and though some iPhone apps will scale up easily enough, many, if not most, iPad applications will not be able to scale down to the iPhone.

Assuming a higher resolution screen on the horizon for the iPhone, screen real estate differentiates the iPad.
 
ghostface147 said:
Because it is. The iPad does nothing that the iPod Touch and iPhone can't do. The only limiting factor is the size of the iPhone/iPod Touch. Obviously once the iPad matures, things will change, but right now it's just an oversized iPhone/iPod Touch. It will get better and distance itself with time, but the core will always be the iPhone OS API's, most features and the sort.
Click to expand...


A 60" TV is just a bigger version of a 27" TV.

A 4 door Lexus is just a bigger version of a Mini Cooper.
 
Forget sketchbook pro... Adobe Ideas is the best drawing app out there, a minimalist vector drawing environment with perfect line smoothing and native PDF format for importing to illustrator or cad. And it's free!? I'd have paid $50 for this app.

Also, "downloader" and of course "Airsharing" make this iPad a capable machine.
 
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