Holy crap. No, seriously, holy crap. Pixowl Inc, in collaboration with Bulkypix, are poised to unleash something major on the App Store. It might look like a simple toy at first, but make no mistake: The SandBox is packing some seriously intense concepts behind that cute facade.

When The SandBox first caught my attention, I thought it looked like a nifty little pixelated world-building game. In a way, it kind of is. However, I was thoroughly unprepared for just how many different aspects of this created world could be manipulated. Water will flow down hills, erode stone into sand, turn dirt into fertile soil, evaporate in extreme heat and freeze in extreme cold. Flowers and trees can grow. Weather will develop based largely on the environment. Players can even make rudimentary circuits to do anything from heating to creating light.

The SandBox is still very much in beta at the moment, but that’s no reason not to get excited. What’s already implemented is pretty amazing, actually. A lot of specifics are still up in the air, such as the final number of “story” levels (currently around 20), price and release date. It’s kind of a shame because this is all so cool, but then again it’s probably best not to rush things. Although the super-curious or anxious can try to get in to the beta. No guarantees, though. Regardless, be sure to keep an eye out for The SandBox whenever it does hit the App Store.

It all started with a clever design and lots and lots of felt. After that initial success, Shawnimals grew into a fairly notable “indie” brand. This soon lead to a Nintendo DS game, followed by another on iOS. After all this activity, it’s a wonder no one thought to make a custom ninja creation app. Well, until now anyway.

And Ninjatown Ninja Builder does just that. It incorporates elements from the classic and very recognizable Shawnimals style and lets users go nuts. Moods, body styles, backgrounds, clothing, colors and accessories can all be fiddled with in order to craft that perfect shadow warrior representation. Or just to make a goofy looking ninja. Whatever they’re in the mood for, really.

In addition to the new app, Shawnimals and Venan have also released an update for Ninjatown: Trees of Doom!. Perhaps the app was made to celebrate the update, or perhaps it’s the other way around. Or maybe it’s just a coincidence. No matter the reason, owners of the iOS platformer can now enjoy a winter theme as well as new mountain and zombie ninja avatars.

Really though, Ninjatown Ninja Builder is what we’re talking about here. And it’s available on the App Store right now, ready to scratch that adorable ninja-making itch. The basic app is totally free, with two (thus far) additional content packs priced at $0.99 each.

FREE!

Ninjatown Ninja Builder

iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad
Released: 2011-12-29 :: Category: Entertainment

FREE!

Ninjatown: Trees Of Doom!

+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Released: 2010-05-05 :: Category: Games

We hit the SF App Show earlier this week and, after enjoying our cocktails and appetizers, checked out a bunch of new and upcoming apps for the iPhone and iPad. Of particular note (pun intended) was PatternMusic which offers an interesting take on music creation by comparison to existing tools on the iPad.

PatternMusic’s unique control system allows multiple screens to be dragged into view from the sides of the display in order to control instrument parts that can be built up in layers to produce a song. The main screen allows you to fine tune your overall arrangement by positioning each instrument in the mix based on location (up and down sets the volume level and left and right determines pan). The app offers a variety of instrument voices as well as a range of effects settings and is designed to inspire creativity and experimentation so beginner users can develop their musical knowledge.

We were given a demo of the app that showed how easy it is to get started with PatternMusic as well as the possibilities to use advanced techniques to expand and enhance your songs. Collaboration isn’t currently an option with PatternMusic aimed more as a “solo activity” at present.

“PatternMusic is designed to allow people to create their own original music on an iPhone or iPad” said developer, Richard Lawler “What we wanted to do was to create an environment that was appropriate for a mobile context.”

The app is available on the App Store for free on the iPad and $1.99 on the iPhone and is proving popular already. PatternMusic is currently installed on 1% of iPads and an update is expected soon that will allow for exporting of tracks as WAV files for computer use. This, of course, opens opportunities for music makers to create songs and melody ideas on the go and then add the tracks to their professional software later.

PatternMusic is a fun and intuitive way to create songs and from our time with it, it was clear to see that it’s much more powerful than its simple interface belies.

FREE!

PatternMusic

iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad
Released: 2009-11-10 :: Category: Music

FREE!

PatternMusic

iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad
Released: 2009-11-10 :: Category: Music