Tag: Creativity »

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.

Lacking in musical talent? I know the feeling well. I'm what many people would call musically challenged despite desperately wishing I was able to create musical splendours. I'm going to have to settle for just writing words but at least Tones will give me a way of pretending I can create such works of art.

Tones is easy enough to use that even children should be able to figure it out. The user is presented with a grid of sound pads that can be activated by tapping on them. Each provides a way of producing sound through a selection of different musical instruments. Tempo can be adjusted to further change things up and a series of waves, cycles of sound, can be produced, too.

Placed together, Tones creates an unique form of music in a fun and fascinating way. There's no way of recording just yet but it makes for an ideal, disposable form of creative expression. Just the kind of fun to have with young members of the family who love to see instant results.

Tones is out now priced at $0.99.

Crayola, the most familiar name in children's craft projects, has teamed with accessory maker Griffin to release Trace and Draw. This accessory turns an iPad 2 into an interactive drawing studio for young aspiring artists with the help of the free Trace and Draw app.

The casing is kid-proof, allowing parents to relax if the child applies too much pressure to the screen or drops the device. This creative toy, just in time for holiday shopping, is recommended for children ages three and up and includes a black Crayola fine line marker and 50 sheets of specially sized tracing paper. A special screen shield protects it from damages and smudges, and the case becomes a storage unit when not in use.

Trace and Draw for iPad 2 can be found in Apple Stores for $39.99 and the app is currently available on the App Store. Let us know how you like it if you pick it up for a small one in your own life.