Alakazapps! | Blog
magic apps
Magic Box Vol.2
I'm pleased to announce Magic Box Volume 2 is now available on the App Store.
Volume 2 in the Magic Box series contains: Magic Card Stab, Magic Beer Bottle and Magic X-Ray. These three apps compliment each other perfectly, they're also all age restricted to 12+.
It's worth reiterating that Magic Boxes are a brilliant way to bolster your magic collection without filling loads of 'home screens' with icons. Magic Box Vol. 2 is the perfect way to bring an extra bit of entertainment to a night out. Magic Card Stab alone has been getting great reviews across the globe.
Enjoy!
Volume 2 in the Magic Box series contains: Magic Card Stab, Magic Beer Bottle and Magic X-Ray. These three apps compliment each other perfectly, they're also all age restricted to 12+.
It's worth reiterating that Magic Boxes are a brilliant way to bolster your magic collection without filling loads of 'home screens' with icons. Magic Box Vol. 2 is the perfect way to bring an extra bit of entertainment to a night out. Magic Card Stab alone has been getting great reviews across the globe.
Enjoy!
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 X-Ray Update
It's been a busy month at Alakazapps HQ. The end of July saw the release of Magic Dagger, my first card trick for the iPhone. I've also already submitted updates to two of my most popular apps.
In about one week you'll find an update to Magic X-Ray. This adds a video tutorial and a few visual tweaks. If you already own this trick you'll hopefully appreciate the ability to hide the instructions. If you haven't yet purchased Magic X-Ray, the tutorial will make learning it a breeze.
The effect is simple but stunning. You X-Ray your hand, then pull one of your fingers off. Check the new demo below:
In about one week you'll find an update to Magic X-Ray. This adds a video tutorial and a few visual tweaks. If you already own this trick you'll hopefully appreciate the ability to hide the instructions. If you haven't yet purchased Magic X-Ray, the tutorial will make learning it a breeze.
The effect is simple but stunning. You X-Ray your hand, then pull one of your fingers off. Check the new demo below:
Two weeks from now a small update to Magic Match is due to hit the store.
As ever I'm working super hard to bring fresh ideas to the iPhone magic community, more details later in the month.
Magic X-Ray Update
It's been a busy month at Alakazapps HQ. The end of July saw the release of Magic Dagger, my first card trick for the iPhone. I've also already submitted updates to two of my most popular apps.
In about one week you'll find an update to Magic X-Ray. This adds a video tutorial and a few visual tweaks. If you already own this trick you'll hopefully appreciate the ability to hide the instructions. If you haven't yet purchased Magic X-Ray, the tutorial will make learning it a breeze.
The effect is simple but stunning. You X-Ray your hand, then pull one of your fingers off. Check the new demo below:
In about one week you'll find an update to Magic X-Ray. This adds a video tutorial and a few visual tweaks. If you already own this trick you'll hopefully appreciate the ability to hide the instructions. If you haven't yet purchased Magic X-Ray, the tutorial will make learning it a breeze.
The effect is simple but stunning. You X-Ray your hand, then pull one of your fingers off. Check the new demo below:
Two weeks from now a small update to Magic Match is due to hit the store.
As ever I'm working super hard to bring fresh ideas to the iPhone magic community, more details later in the month.
Magic Dagger is here!
With this in mind, and almost a year since I launched Alakazapps, I've finally released a card trick for the iPhone.
True to my ambition for Alakazapps tricks, I think Magic Dagger is about as visual as card magic will get! A chosen card is impaled on a digital dagger right inside your iPhone - it's a portable 'card sword' illusion!
Card magic is too important to only release one trick so you can expect more in the future, but for now I hope you enjoy Magic Dagger.
Follow me on twitter, I'll be posting a few promo codes for Magic Dagger over the next few hours
.
Fry Mentions Magic
National treasure Stephen Fry recently wrote a fantastic review of the new iPhone 3GS. Along with detailing the technological advancements he devoted a paragraph to the variety of treats offered by the App Store, he wrote:
"Apple has shown that a mobile phone can be a pedometer, a restaurant guide (one which can make the reservation, direct you there and let you know which kinds of sustainable seafood you can order with a clear conscience), an ensemble of musical instruments that can be blown down, tapped and strummed, a library, a periodic table, a performer of magic tricks, a translator, a Skype phone, a Twitter client, a radio, a games platform and a device that can set your home satellite TV to record any programme you like wherever you are in the world."
Magic tricks are on his list next to musical instruments and games platform, that's a pretty impressive distinction.
I don't for a second think Stephen Fry had time to use one of my apps, if he even knows Alakazapps exists. Still the recognition of the genre is great for all those who develope and perform magic tricks on the iPhone and iPod touch.
"Apple has shown that a mobile phone can be a pedometer, a restaurant guide (one which can make the reservation, direct you there and let you know which kinds of sustainable seafood you can order with a clear conscience), an ensemble of musical instruments that can be blown down, tapped and strummed, a library, a periodic table, a performer of magic tricks, a translator, a Skype phone, a Twitter client, a radio, a games platform and a device that can set your home satellite TV to record any programme you like wherever you are in the world."
Magic tricks are on his list next to musical instruments and games platform, that's a pretty impressive distinction.
I don't for a second think Stephen Fry had time to use one of my apps, if he even knows Alakazapps exists. Still the recognition of the genre is great for all those who develope and perform magic tricks on the iPhone and iPod touch.
The new studio
Until now I've recorded all my app demos and tutorials with a homemade studio consisting of a big piece of card positioned next to a window. Obviously this is less than ideal and was slowing me down enormously. To combat the unruly nature of the sun I invested in a proper mini-studio.
The square thing is a diffusing cube that traps the light coming from the fluorescent lamp.
If I was doing things right before, you probably shouldn't notice any difference in the finished product - it will just make getting the right shot easier. If you've ever tried filming/photographing the iPhone you'll know how it's impossibly shiny surfaces can wreak havoc.
It's just one of the things I'm doing to provide the best service to the fantastic people that support my apps.
Photo below (1000w lamp, blinding):
The square thing is a diffusing cube that traps the light coming from the fluorescent lamp.
If I was doing things right before, you probably shouldn't notice any difference in the finished product - it will just make getting the right shot easier. If you've ever tried filming/photographing the iPhone you'll know how it's impossibly shiny surfaces can wreak havoc.
It's just one of the things I'm doing to provide the best service to the fantastic people that support my apps.
Photo below (1000w lamp, blinding):
Welcome to Alakazapps!
26/02/09 23:59 Filed in: General
Well, it's been four months since I released my first iPhone app and I've not yet properly introduced myself! My name is Matt, I work n' play in Notting Hill, London and I develop apps for the iPhone and iPod Touch.
I've resisted starting a blog for Alakazapps because I didn't want to write unless I had something interesting to say. I'm still not sure that I have anything interesting to say but, at least I can use this space to thank the users of my apps.
Thank you!
Thank you to the many thousands of you who have seen some worth in my apps. Special thanks are extended to those who have taken the time to write nice things about what I do.
To keep this first entry as concise as possible I'll do the rest of it as a series of questions to myself.
Why develop magic apps?
I have been studying magic for about fifteen years and designing magic tricks for about the last eight. The iPhone and iPod Touch are pretty amazing on their own so it wasn't a huge leap to bring magic tricks to these devices.
Magic apps allow me to fuse my love of magic with my love of showing off my favorite piece of technology. I hope they can do the same for you!
What is your favorite app?
I personally love ESP Vision, which interestingly is the least popular on iTunes. I think the idea of a randomly chosen symbol appearing on my palm is about as strong as magic gets.
Will you only make magic apps?
For the moment, yes. I do have a few non-magic ideas in the pipeline but for now, I'm committed to bringing magic to the iPhone.
What's next?
I'm constantly trying to get the most out of the apps I develop. This means I can hopefully get at least one update out each month. New apps will be released as-and-when they're developed.
I think I've covered a lot of ground in this introductory post. If there's anything else you'd like to know feel free to e-mail me.
I hope you'll come back again soon!
Finally, as thanks for the support, here are ten promo codes for ESP Vision. (Sorry these codes only work in America)
If you use one, say so in the comments. Oh, and feel free to leave a review on iTunes!
ESP Vision Codes:
X6MYWLXKWXJN
J64MM9R9XY9M
FJTP3AKWRA4P
WYT3YRXP73LR
J33WPHFFH4MN
TT3FWREPEWAE
TXT4KTP4NXLJ
MXFXN7XJLKTE
JX3R7EM6FJLK
KAMNKPFH4FRT
I've resisted starting a blog for Alakazapps because I didn't want to write unless I had something interesting to say. I'm still not sure that I have anything interesting to say but, at least I can use this space to thank the users of my apps.
Thank you!
Thank you to the many thousands of you who have seen some worth in my apps. Special thanks are extended to those who have taken the time to write nice things about what I do.
To keep this first entry as concise as possible I'll do the rest of it as a series of questions to myself.
Why develop magic apps?
I have been studying magic for about fifteen years and designing magic tricks for about the last eight. The iPhone and iPod Touch are pretty amazing on their own so it wasn't a huge leap to bring magic tricks to these devices.
Magic apps allow me to fuse my love of magic with my love of showing off my favorite piece of technology. I hope they can do the same for you!
What is your favorite app?
I personally love ESP Vision, which interestingly is the least popular on iTunes. I think the idea of a randomly chosen symbol appearing on my palm is about as strong as magic gets.
Will you only make magic apps?
For the moment, yes. I do have a few non-magic ideas in the pipeline but for now, I'm committed to bringing magic to the iPhone.
What's next?
I'm constantly trying to get the most out of the apps I develop. This means I can hopefully get at least one update out each month. New apps will be released as-and-when they're developed.
I think I've covered a lot of ground in this introductory post. If there's anything else you'd like to know feel free to e-mail me.
I hope you'll come back again soon!
Finally, as thanks for the support, here are ten promo codes for ESP Vision. (Sorry these codes only work in America)
If you use one, say so in the comments. Oh, and feel free to leave a review on iTunes!
ESP Vision Codes:
X6MYWLXKWXJN
J64MM9R9XY9M
FJTP3AKWRA4P
WYT3YRXP73LR
J33WPHFFH4MN
TT3FWREPEWAE
TXT4KTP4NXLJ
MXFXN7XJLKTE
JX3R7EM6FJLK
KAMNKPFH4FRT
