Alakazapps! | Blog
iphone app
Amazing Magic Strength
I'm very excited to announce the latest addition to Alakazapps - 'Amazing Magic Strength'!
One of the design goals I set myself was to bring classic magic tricks to the iPhone and iPod touch. Magic Strength is very much inspired by the Excalibur Sword myth.
You show a digital nail hammered deep into a block of wood. However hard you, or the spectator tries, the nail can only be nudged ever-so-slightly from the wood.
With one magical gesture you gain the 'strength' to easily flick the nail from the wooden block.
You then invite the spectator to try and flick the nail free - they still fail! Even more magically, by simply touching the spectator they impossibly gain the strength to remove the nail.
It's really great to perform the trick while the spectator holds your iPhone - the illusion works even with very controlled test conditions.
Have fun.
One of the design goals I set myself was to bring classic magic tricks to the iPhone and iPod touch. Magic Strength is very much inspired by the Excalibur Sword myth.
You show a digital nail hammered deep into a block of wood. However hard you, or the spectator tries, the nail can only be nudged ever-so-slightly from the wood.
With one magical gesture you gain the 'strength' to easily flick the nail from the wooden block.
You then invite the spectator to try and flick the nail free - they still fail! Even more magically, by simply touching the spectator they impossibly gain the strength to remove the nail.
It's really great to perform the trick while the spectator holds your iPhone - the illusion works even with very controlled test conditions.
Have fun.
Magic Beer Bottle Released
13/11/09 18:33 Filed in: News
Alakazapps releases Magic Beer Bottle, a beer simulator that literally comes off the screen.
After demonstrating what looks like a normal iPhone ‘beer app’ , the performer of the trick can literally pluck the top off the bottle - it becomes real in their fingertips. Beer simulators have existed since the dawn of the App Store, Magic Beer Bottle takes the concept to the next level.
Using accelerometer controlled liquid motion and bold graphics, Magic Beer Bottle presents itself as an entertaining toy. This is the very essence of magic, taking something that people are now familiar with and doing something ‘impossible’ with it.
The illusion is achieved by combining the unique features of the iPhone with classic magic techniques. Learning the illusion is made simple with a full video tutorial included with the app. An intuitive welcome screen allows the user to access the video tutorial. Once mastered this screen can be hidden in the devices settings menu.
After demonstrating what looks like a normal iPhone ‘beer app’ , the performer of the trick can literally pluck the top off the bottle - it becomes real in their fingertips. Beer simulators have existed since the dawn of the App Store, Magic Beer Bottle takes the concept to the next level.
Using accelerometer controlled liquid motion and bold graphics, Magic Beer Bottle presents itself as an entertaining toy. This is the very essence of magic, taking something that people are now familiar with and doing something ‘impossible’ with it.
The illusion is achieved by combining the unique features of the iPhone with classic magic techniques. Learning the illusion is made simple with a full video tutorial included with the app. An intuitive welcome screen allows the user to access the video tutorial. Once mastered this screen can be hidden in the devices settings menu.
Magic Bottle Cap
It is with great pleasure that I introduce Magic Bottle Cap to the iPhone and iPod touch. The effect is simply stunning: after showing your friends an interactive digital bottle on your iPhone, you take it one step further by literally plucking the cap into the real world.
This is very much a companion app to my bestseller Magic Match. Magic Bottle Cap is perfect for parties, clubs, pubs and bars.
On a technical level I worked hard to develop the best move for the revelation. The whole thing just flows, check out the video below to see Magic Bottle Cap performed.
This is very much a companion app to my bestseller Magic Match. Magic Bottle Cap is perfect for parties, clubs, pubs and bars.
On a technical level I worked hard to develop the best move for the revelation. The whole thing just flows, check out the video below to see Magic Bottle Cap performed.
Magic Match update
The Magic Match update has been live for a few days now, so I thought I'd cover some of the enhancements in a little more detail. First, and most obviously, it's got the Welcome Instructions. I think the video tutorials have been a very successful way of sharing the secret - even if you've been performing it for months it might reveal some nuances that will make your performance tighter.
Secondly you'll now notice that you can close the matchbox and effectively reset the app. I've added this to give the effect a better sense of closure - I wouldn't recommend performing the trick again for the same person though.
Finally, those with a keen eye for detail may notice the the box has changed from 'click to open' to 'tap to open'. 'Tap' seemed to make more sense on a touchscreen phone.
Magic Match also works perfectly with iPhone OS 3.0 of course.
Secondly you'll now notice that you can close the matchbox and effectively reset the app. I've added this to give the effect a better sense of closure - I wouldn't recommend performing the trick again for the same person though.
Finally, those with a keen eye for detail may notice the the box has changed from 'click to open' to 'tap to open'. 'Tap' seemed to make more sense on a touchscreen phone.
Magic Match also works perfectly with iPhone OS 3.0 of course.
Magic Compass
Alakazapps latest 'Magic Compass' has been out for just over a week - here are some of the reviews.
"A great simple trick that has a very effective outcome. Can be repeated over and over with no possible explanation....! The spectator always has the last tap on the compass so there's no way they'll figure out how it's done." - iTunes UK user.
"If, like me, you're the type of person that likes to have a party trick on them to break the ice or just create a talking point at a quiet party to kick it up a notch then this is definately for you. Dead easy to learn, and you always have it with you. Really good fun too." iTunes UK user.
"To some spectators, it will look like physics, to some like magic. I think most people will find it hard to explain. The trick has a well produced video tutorial to teach you the secret, and then gives you a way to hide it from prying eyes." - TUAW Review.
Many, many thanks to those who support my apps!
If you’ve not already watch the demo, click here.
"A great simple trick that has a very effective outcome. Can be repeated over and over with no possible explanation....! The spectator always has the last tap on the compass so there's no way they'll figure out how it's done." - iTunes UK user.
"If, like me, you're the type of person that likes to have a party trick on them to break the ice or just create a talking point at a quiet party to kick it up a notch then this is definately for you. Dead easy to learn, and you always have it with you. Really good fun too." iTunes UK user.
"To some spectators, it will look like physics, to some like magic. I think most people will find it hard to explain. The trick has a well produced video tutorial to teach you the secret, and then gives you a way to hide it from prying eyes." - TUAW Review.
Many, many thanks to those who support my apps!
If you’ve not already watch the demo, click here.
Magic Levitate
01/03/09 22:34 Filed in: News
An update to Magic Levitate is due out within the next few days.
The app was first released last weekend so as you can imagine, this is just a maintenance update. The software requirements have been dropped from 2.2.1 to 2.1 and the icon has been updated.
I don't normally push out updates so soon after release but the 2.2.1 requirement was unnecessary and potentially limiting.
Let me know in the comments if you update your device as soon as Apple releases the software.
The app was first released last weekend so as you can imagine, this is just a maintenance update. The software requirements have been dropped from 2.2.1 to 2.1 and the icon has been updated.
I don't normally push out updates so soon after release but the 2.2.1 requirement was unnecessary and potentially limiting.
Let me know in the comments if you update your device as soon as Apple releases the software.
New Icon
