App it Up: Yoritsuki
by at November 9, 2009 9:24 am
Sections: iPhone, iPhone OS, SDK and hacks, iPhone/iPod touch/iPad, iPod, iPod touch, Originals
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Developer: Hybrid:Works
Requirements: iPhone OS 3.0 or later
Compatibility: iPhone and iPod touch
File Size: 18.7MB
What is it?
It’s a view from the guest room of a Japanese Inn. I’m guessing there are few locations where the view from a hotel window could be an app (certainly wouldn’t work from the Comfort Inn & Suites in beautiful downtown Akron, Ohio), but it works with Yoritsuki.
How does it work?
Launch it, and enjoy the sounds and sites of a Japanese hot-spring inn. This is actually better than it sounds for various reasons. First, the graphics are gorgeous. Absolutely gorgeous. This is the first time I’ve looked at an app on the iPhone wished the screen was four times larger.
The image changes with the seasons and the time of day (not gradually, unfortunately), as do the sound effects. You don’t need to wait for summer to roll back around, however, as you can manually change the image at will. There is some animation involved, as well. Water doesn’t flow and trees don’t sway, but you will see birds fly by, leaves and snow fall, fireflies hover, etc. This, combined with the soothing natural audio, provides a nice bit of momentary relaxation.
There’s some interactivity involved, as well, as you can adjust sliding windows and doors (called shoji). Slide them with your fingers, or cycle through your options with a tap. There are 15 total designs, each of which works with the lighting in its own unique way. Working your way through them is surprisingly compelling for a bit.
Finally, there’s a clock mode that replaces the UI with a black border, in which it displays the time. Plug in your iPhone and set this up on your nightstand, and now you’ve got a very pleasant clock. You’ll have to rely on your normal iPhone alarm, however, as Yoritsuki doesn’t include its own. The time display is also a bit too small to be of much use. I think I’d rather there just be a mode that replaces the entire screen with the view through your windows. The ability to save your view and shoji positions as your wallpaper would also be great.
Features
App it Up, Sum it Up
Yoritsuki is a fairly pointless app, but it’s one I’m glad to have on my phone, nonetheless. It’s beautifully designed; easily one of the all-around best looking apps I’ve ever tried. It’ll relax you, whether you’re using it as a calming break during your day or as a way to lull you sleep at night. I’d be happier if it were priced at $0.99, but that extra dollar shouldn’t dissuade you if you need help imagining you’re someplace more pleasant than you currently are.
Cost – $1.99
Worth the Money? – It’s not the most useful app you’ll own, but the design alone is worth the purchase.
Availability – Now, in the iTunes App Store
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