endloop blog

Since the unveiling of the device last week, it seems like everyone is praising or criticizing Apple’s upcoming iPad as a pure media consumption machine. That, or bemoaning the absence of Flash.

As first impressions go, that’s not far off the mark. The iPad’s larger form factor is ideal for consuming and sharing iTune’s vast media library and it appears to be made for that singular purpose.

However, I believe we are all underestimating the productivity potential of the iPad. Here are 5 reasons why I think the iPad is ideal for productivity and not just for media consumption:

1) The IPS LCD panel tech
This allows for a viewing angle of 178 degrees and a ridiculously good image quality. That means any images, diagrams, or documents can be easily readable for anyone near the iPad holder.

2) 1024×768 resolution
This means you can fit a lot more detailed information on the screen. I predict you will see native iPad productivity apps that will take advantage of this additional screen real estate in new and innovative ways. More space means less full page transitions and a better user experience for manipulating complex documents.

3) The 0.5″ thick and 1.5lbs form factor
Big deal, you say, it’s just lighter and smaller, nothing game changing here. Well, think about it this way: when was the last time you tried to pass a laptop around the boardroom/meeting room? If you tried it, you’d find it was bulky, heavy, and unwieldy. Well the iPad’s form factor makes it easy to pass around and the bigger, wide angle viewing screen just makes sharing that much easier.

It’s perfect for collaborative work and small groups without a need for a projector. Better than a laptop because you can’t just lay a laptop screen flat on a table.

4) Multi-touch
Yes, this is not new and it already exists on the iPhone. However, since the iPad is more like a desktop/laptop platform, we will be seeing some really unique user experiences due to the combination of multi-touch with single page app designs (unlike the hierarchical, multipage iPhone apps). In combination with the larger screen, this will allow for productivity apps that are built for collaboration among multiple people on the same device.

5) The blazing fast A4 processor
This processor runs circles around the iPhone and the current crop of netbooks. Heavy processor dependent apps that weren’t possible on the iPhone will now see the light of day on the iPad because of the A4.

Bonus Reason: Apple says so
They’re not releasing the iWork suite of apps for the iPad on a whim. This is to showcase how productive you can be on the iPad. There’s a good reason why they didn’t even attempt to bring these apps over to the iPhone; they were saving them for the platform that will make them shine, the iPad.

Conclusion
As an iPhone developer, I’m obviously going to buy an iPad on day one but the hardware doesn’t nearly excite me as much as the potential of new iPad-only apps. I’m certain there will be some truly innovative productivity tools that may change your life and mine.

We at Endloop are already working on some awesome ideas for iPad apps, so keep your eyes peeled to this blog.

IndieRelief.com is a one day software sale (January 20th, 2010) where over 50 indie Mac and iPhone developers will be donating their sales proceeds to various Haiti relief charities.

Put together by Second Gear and Garrett Murray, Indie Relief showcases how quickly a diverse community like iPhone and Mac developers can get together to do something positive for those in need.

Endloop is proud to be a part of this wonderful community and we will be donating proceeds from ALL of our apps sold tomorrow to Doctors Without Borders.

On Jan. 20th, 2010 (tomorrow!), open your hearts and wallets, and grab some great software knowing you are contributing to desperately needed relief for Haiti.

Visit: IndieRelief.com

Check out our brief gameplay video for our upcoming FREE iPhone game BANKSHOT:

Last Thursday afternoon, we had this crazy idea to try to build an iPhone game over the course of a 3 day weekend.

We had all the ingredients in place:

1) Simple but fun and addictive gameplay concept - CHECK
2) A simple art style that won’t require outside help - CHECK
3) A hard deadline of Monday due to client work commitments - CHECK

And last but not least:

4) Awesome significant others that will put up with this hijacked weekend - CHECK

The reason this is Zero to BETA instead of Zero to Release is that we didn’t quite fully finish. We have a feature complete game but the gameplay still needs more testing and some tweaking before we’re OK with submitting it.

Also, the reason it’s 36 hrs and not 72 hrs is because we are old and we like to sleep. That and we needed to be bright eyed and bushy tailed for today as we had some important client work to start.

Ok, enough with the disclaimers, I’m proud to announce the results of our Weekend GameJam:

Introducing BANKSHOT, a simple physics game where the goal is to score goals using bank shots. It’s a ’streak’ based game where the score is simply the number of goals you can score in a row. A valid bankshot is 1 to 3 banks. We limited it to 3 so we could reduce the wild lucky shots factor.

We will be releasing this game for FREE (ad-supported) once it’s been submitted and approved. We’ll also keep you informed as to the App Store performance of this app via this blog.

Here are some initial screenshots, I’ll be posting a video once we’ve finished our gameplay tweaks (hopefully tonight):

Overall this Weekend GameJam was a blast! We’re definitely into doing it again the next time we have a simple game concept. We’d love to hear your thoughts and comments!

We’re putting up Arcade Solitaire: TriTowers (recently selected as Apple Staff Favourites in App Store!) for the Best Card Game category in the Best App Ever awards.

If you’d like to support us, please nominate here: http://bestappever.com/c/crgm/339038562/nom

Arcade Solitaire iTunes link: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/arcade-solitaire-tritowers/id339038562?mt=8

Mobile Orchard is one of the judges and they are going to nominate their favourite apps from their readers, read all about it here at Moblie Orchard.

So what makes Arcade Solitaire: TriTowers is worthy of Best Card Game?

• Only card game in the App Store that displays, in real time, your progression through the leaderboard ranks while you play!
• Unique mashup of arcade action (timer, lives, rounds, combos, and rankings) with super addictive TriTowers/TriPeaks solitaire gameplay
• Highly polished graphics (over 30 backgrounds and decks, particle effects), sounds, and extremely fast and responsive touch controls

Here is what other people and review sites think:

★★★★★ “Arcade Solitaire: TriTowers is one seriously addictive game and is easily our top choice for solitaire on the platform.”
– AppAddict.net
http://appaddict.net/2009/11/28/arcade-solitaire-tritowers-who-knew-playing-by-yourself-could-be-this-much-fun/

★★★★★ “This is such a fantastic game… the presentation is absolutely flawless…it’d be a bargain at four times the price.”
– AppGirlReviews.com
http://appgirlreviews.com/arcade-solitaire-tritowers/”

★★★★ “Arcade Solitaire: TriTowers is one of the most addictive games I have encountered for the iPhone.”
– TouchGen.net
http://www.touchgen.net/arcade-solitaire-tritowers-review

★★★★ “One of the most addicting and amusing solitaire games on the App Store.”
– iphoneincanada.ca
http://www.iphoneincanada.ca/reviews/game-review-arcade-solitaire-tritowers-for-iphone/

Thanks for your support!!

A few more glowing reviews for Arcade Solitaire: TriTowers have popped up!

SlideToPlay

Solitaire is something mere mortals are helpless against. Arcade Solitaire: TriTowers is no exception. Early on, its clean graphics, gentle sounds, and smooth animation lull you into a state of euphoria. Then the simplicity of the gameplay– tapping on cards one higher or lower than the one in play– binds your animal brain so that you can hardly think.

Your global ranking is tracked in real time in the corner of the screen, and you can watch it soar ever higher as you play, pumping happy chemicals into your brain. The end of each round leads into the beginning of the next, and there’s nothing you can do to stop it.

But you wouldn’t want to– you’re hooked. Our advice? Buy it. Love it. Surrender to it.

Casual Gameplay

One of the smoothest implementations of TriTowers on the App Store, this one not only looks great, it plays well and has some unlockables to boot!

And for anyone that can read German, I *think* this was a good review.

TapToPlay - 5/5 stars
Here’s the original German:

Gelungene Bedienung, Darstellung und Suchtpotential - TriTowers überzeugt und ist mit 79 Cent ein wahres Schnäppchen.

And the Google translated English:

Convinced Successful operation, presentation and addictive - TriTowers and is 79 cents a true bargain.

And the great reviews keep on pouring in!

AppAddict.net - 5/5 stars

Arcade Solitaire: TriTowers from Endloop Systems is one seriously addictive game and is easly our top choice for solitaire on the platform. Frankly we cannot believe we are THIS excited about a solitaire game, but the guys at Endloop obviously put a lot of time and thought into crafting a well balanced game, requiring a nice blend of both strategy and luck.

AppGirlReviews.com - 10/10 stars

If you’ve ever had even a small amount of fun playing Solitaire, you owe it to yourself to give Arcade Solitaire: TriTowers a try. I’ve never been a huge fan of card-based games, and yet I’ve spent many hours playing this little treasure. For the introductory price of 99 cents, this game is a no-brainer; however, it’d be a bargain at four times the price. Here’s the bottom line: the only thing wrong with Arcade Solitaire: TriTowers is the fact that your boss probably won’t accept it as an excuse for being late to work.

AppAdvice.com - 3.5/5 stars

Arcade Solitaire: Tri Towers is the best version of Tri Towers in the App Store … The scoring system, time constraints, flair, and online high scores present solitaire in a whole new way.

Another great review of Arcade Solitaire:TriTowers, this time from TouchGen.net!

Arcade Solitaire: TriTowers is one of the most addictive games I have encountered for the iPhone. Basically what developer Endloop Systems Inc. managed to do is to merge solitaire with arcade action.

The game looks bright, and sparkly with some really snazzy effects when you clear a lot of cards in a row.

There are no less than 30 decks and backgrounds to unlock, and you can combine them however you want to. The sound consists of chirpy sound effects, and you can play your own music alongside them.

Arcade Solitaire: TriTowers is a great time waster that takes the already addictive solitaire into arcade territory. At the introductory price of $0.99 it is an absolute steal, and even at $2.99 it will be easy for me to recommend.

4/5 Stars

You can read the full review here: TouchGen.net Reviews Arcade Solitaire:TriTowers

Yay, the first official review of Arcade Solitaire:TriTowers has just been published!

If you enjoy playing cards and specifically Solitaire, then you will like Tri-Towers, as it is one of the most addicting and amusing solitaire games on the App Store.

The game includes 30 unlockable card deck skins and background skins, which are a nice incentive for those players who need one. Personally, I found the addicting and fun game play enough inventive to continue playing, but the extras are a nice perk.

The game offers good visuals with very easy to see and read cards. I like that the cards and background skins can be changed, which adds a custom element to the game.

To go along with these visual graphics are awesome sound jingles! Exciting little sounds are played as combos are gained and objectives completed and once the level is finished, a brief sound jingle is played that is surprisingly fun to listen to.

Arcade Solitaire: TriTowers is scored a 4 out of 5

You can check out the full review here: iPhoneInCanada Reviews Arcade Solitaire: TriTowers

This is just the first of many positive reviews coming! We’ve been in touch with lots of sites and they all LOVE the game! Wooo! If you’ve got a site and would like a promo code for Arcade Solitaire:TriTowers, let us know ASAP as we don’t have many left!

Thanks and see you on the leaderboards!

Get your copy while it’s hot, only 99c during our special launch sale!

Grab it from the iPhone App Store here: Arcade Solitaire: TriTowers

When the game starts, it asks if you want to create an OpenFeint account, just tap YES so we can compete on the leaderboards