AppCraver » Science

SpaceTime Super Calculator for Advanced Math Functions

Barbara Holbrook — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 01:13:18 +0000

SpaceTime. A graphing and scientific calculator built on an advanced mathematics engine. It’s not the kind of thing you need every day, but it is the kind of specialized calculator that you expect to pay dearly for when you do need it. If only there was a way to get such a calculator on the iPhone. Now there is. But first, my confession…

I’ve never been particularly math-minded. Details like “carry the one” slip from my mind like a comedian on a banana peel. In fact, unless I’m figuring out pixels for a website or the required resolution to print poster-size photos, I pretty much leave math up to the professionals.

In spite of this general tendency to avoid math, or perhaps because of it, I appreciate the value of a good calculator. And SpaceTime is a good calculator. (Actually, calling SpaceTime a calculator is kind of like calling Disneyland a park. Sure, technically it’s true, but it’s a pale description.) (...)
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Distant Suns 2 Puts Space in Your Pocket

Michael Alexander — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 00:00:43 +0000

Distant Suns 2: Unleash your inner astronaut — Judging by the number of pocket planetariums and other astronomy apps in the App Store’s inventory, stargazing is not just for fans of Star Wars or astronomy nerds like me.

My astronomy app of choice is Vito Technology’s Star Walk, a wonderfully entertaining and educational app tapped by Apple as one of the best apps of 2009. If you want to know what’s going on in the skies around you, that is a must-have app.

I recently had some time to try First Light’s Distant Suns 2: Unleash your inner astronaut, which is another astronomy app with similar features. I had high hopes that Distant Suns 2 would also take up space on my iPhone 3GS.

Distant Suns has an extensive pedigree in astronomy. The original Distant Suns was written in 1985 for the Commodore Amiga, a computer that never really went very far in the market despite its then dazzling, graphics handling capabilities. (...)
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Pocket Universe is Astronomy Made Easy

Jennifer Beam — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 17:30:33 +0000

Summer is a great time for stargazing and of course your iPhone can aid in that endeavor. Pocket Universe – Your Astronomy Guide by Craic Design is an astronomy guide for iPhone and iPod Touch that has a few good features that utilize the unique capabilities of these devices. Though there are a plethora of astronomy apps available, like Star Walk, Pocket Universe is thankfully uncomplicated and friendly enough for novice star gazers.

Since I aptly consider myself a ranking somewhere below a novice on the astronomy scale, I typically need help finding even the Big Dipper. What makes Pocket Universe helpful is the way it displays the constellations with or without the horizon line and the “show me” feature supplies you with directional arrows to help you find them based on the time and your current location. (...)
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Soar Through Space with a Pocket Planetarium

Jennifer Beam — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 21:00:40 +0000

Planetarium is an iPhone app that puts the solar system in your pocket. Developed by Core Coders, Planetarium features planets displayed in beautiful 3D along with features that allow you to fly across the solar system or watch the rotational orbit of the planets. The touch screen interface allows you to take control of your viewing angles and enlarge or minimize targets.

I can’t deny that Planetarium is cool or that it lacks educational benefits, but before I go any further, it should be said that the solar system is not something I have studied in any depth. Beyond trying to remember that mnemonic “My Very Educated Mother Just did something or other” to keep track of the order of the planets, I struggle with even basic astronomy and still don’t know why Pluto was demoted from planet status. That said, I can only state the facts about Planetarium and any part of my opinion on it should be taken with a grain of salt.(...)
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Star Walk Gets Astronomical Make Over

Jennifer Beam — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 22:00:19 +0000

The popular star map application for iPhone by Vito Technology has received some pretty big updates in terms of user interface and information. The newest version (1.2) of Star Walk still has the same stargazing abilities as the original Star Walk, along with the time lapse tool, same ease of navigation and stellar graphics, but now includes some enhancements that improve its overall function.

Breaking down the updates to Star Walk, changes include: the addition of meteor showers that can be viewed in motion by setting the date, an enhancement to the interface by improving the viewing comparisons of the bigger, brighter stars with the smaller ones, and a Wikipedia link function for specific, detailed information. All three of these improvements lend to the overall informative function of this app, making studying the night sky for the novice astronomer both entertainingly high-tech and educational.(...)
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Mars Explorer: Planetary Rover not yet Ready for Launch

Derek Walter — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 22:00:40 +0000

Mars Explorer – A human journey to Mars still may be many years into the future. But a new app wants to put you in the control while cruising around the Red Planet on your iPhone/iPod Touch.

The game is Mars Explorer, and while it has a good concept is still lacking in the execution of some details. Mars Explorer begins by choosing one of two surfaces to explore —Freestyle and Mons. Both offer different elevations, hills to climb, and terrain to explore. Hold the iPhone horizontally to control the rover, then tilt forward for acceleration and left or right to move in either direction. The controls are a bit clunky and not as responsive compared to some other games that make stronger use of the accelerometer. The graphics of the terrain are also less than impressive. (...)
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Starmap is for Serious Stargazers Only

Fred Krueger — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 18:23:48 +0000

When I first downloaded “Starmap” from French Publisher Star-map, I was somewhat disappointed. The star charts were accurate of course, but panning around was clunky, with a low refresh rate. As the author explains in his FAQ:

“The refresh rate of the sky map is about 3 frames per seconds when you slide it with your finger. For each frame, star positions and projections are computed. I have chosen not to use the hardware accelerated open GL as the sky view requires a lot of text and very smooth objects. Indeed, a view contains many information, and the readability needs high quality graphics. I choose this option as I prefered to have a good map under the eyes while observing than a fast sliding sky map without antialiasing and texts. Nevertheless a full graphics accelerated version will be released before the end of they year.”

Nevertheless, I finally got the app up and working this morning at 5.25 AM, and set my sights on Orion. Using the star charts, I was easily able to locate Sirius just below Orion’s feet: Victory! I also looked for planets — but as StarMap informed me, only Uranus was currently visible, and I didnt’t have access to a telescope…

Beside the clunkiness, the program crashed on me several times, which is par for the course this early in the game. A “pro” version of this app is due later on this year, according to the web site; hopefully this solves the panning problems and improves the overall stability.

rating: 7/10
app_name: StarMap

Netter’s Anatomy Flash Cards

admin — Thu, 01 May 2008 21:33:47 +0000

Using anatomical illustrations from Netter’s Atlas of Human Anatomy (4th edition), Netter’s Anatomy Flash Cards allows you to carry the bestselling reference for human anatomy on your iPhone or iPod Touch.

Navigate through images with the flick of a finger, pinch to zoom, and tap to test your knowledge of muscles, bones, vessels, viscera and the joints. Use study mode to explore images at your own pace and quiz mode to test yourself on what you know.

The concise text reviews areas of origin, insertion, action, innervation and anatomical relevance. The notes also include clinical correlations, where appropriate. A regional organization parallels Netter’s atlas as well as most of today’s anatomy courses.

app_name: Netter’s Anatomy Flash Cards
rating: NR