Skritter for iOS release imminent

[roddy]

Have ordered one in antici.....

.....pation.

If you want to avoid the 2 for a dollar cheap ones on eBay, there's pretty impressive stylus coverage on Macworld. I've gone for a Pogo Sketch, in pink. Go me.

[icebear]

Pogo Sketch is what I've been using the past 6 months, and it gets the job done. Whenever the tip wears out I'll probably switch to one with a more substantial barrel, but just a minor preference.

[CleverClogs]

Small update: when the Skritter for iOS app does get released, its appstore page will be easily accessible through this direct URL: http://skritter.com/appstore. Until that time clicking the link will redirect you to the existing landing page, which allows you to sign up to be notified about the launch by email.

[wedge]

Thanks for the update. I think we may have different definitions of "imminent."

[CleverClogs]

No we don't, Wedge. Maybe one of the Skritter team members wants to weigh in on the unexpected hoops en hurdles of getting an iOS app approved. I'm staying positive no matter how long it takes!

[icebear]

They've mentioned that Apple had an issue with some process in the original submission, informed them, they fixed it, and are again waiting for feedback.

[CleverClogs]

The Skritter for iOS app is live. See the Skritter team blog post here: http://bit.ly/skritter-ios-launch. Get the app here: http://skritter.com/appstore

[wedge]

Thanks OP. Just downloaded it. Can't wait to try it!

[keitha]

Just downloaded and subscribed a month.

[geraldc]

I've been away from learning Chinese for a while, but I downloaded the app, signed up for the free trial, and then managed to effortlessly practise for an hour a day. Which given my history is pretty incredible. Even threats of beatings from parents/teachers couldn't get me to do that!

[roddy]

Yeah, had a play with it, good fun. Not sure if I'll subscribe as I don't really feel a need at the moment, but I can definitely see the value. Good work!

[rebor]

Writing in the app is way more elegant than using the web version with a mouse, that's for sure. Now after the enlightenment, the web version feels a bit like a hack. The fluidity, polish and superior input in the app is in itself worth a lot, but combined with the portability it's pretty great. I used to have half an hour or so in the morning reserved for Skritter. These last few days I've slept in and just skrittered during breaks and dull parts of class(ideally I will find some new productive morning habit to replace it with instead of just giving in to sloth, but that's another matter).

[roddy]

Off-topic aside (it's traditional to make these the new main topic of discussion, by the way): If you're using Skritter with a mouse, you're doing it wrong. Graphics pad and stylus, every time and worth every penny. Obviously the iPhone app removes that need...

[rebor]

I'm sure the experience is much better if you have one, but personally I find carrying my laptop and textbooks a big enough of a hassle, and I try to avoid buying gadgets if I don't have to(been there, don that...). I wonder if an iPad version would be better or if it would be to big of a canvas?

[xuefang]

@rebor I haven't used the app on iPhone, but I think the iPad canvas isn't too big for skrittering. When writing characters that I've learned with Skritter I usually see them with my eyes and imagine the stroke order, I don't wave my finger in the air or anything. Just waiting for the native iPad app that is on its way, even though I'm quite happy with the blown out iPhone app too.

[hanyu_xuesheng]

I have tested the new Skritter app for two days now. Some observations:

(1) The demo does not work in this first version, you need an account to test it.

(2) The SRS has, like the web version, a strange behavior. Some "known" characters are repeated over an over.

(3) If you just wrote the 不 in 对不起, and the next vocabulary item is 不客气, the 不 must be written again, which is a waste of time.

(4) Tone testing of multi-character-words is very challenging, you must learn the neutral tones at the end and all the tone sandhi! I would rather learn only the original character's tones, but that is not possible.

Otherwise the app is fun to use.

[icebear]

(3) If you just wrote the 不 in 对不起, and the next vocabulary item is 不客气, the 不 must be written again, which is a waste of time.

If you feel that way you can always just mark the first character correct without writing anything. (Done automatically if you advance - click the right side of the screen.)

[roddy]

Split a few posts on flashcard testing of tones to here as I thought it was interesting and it's a more general issue than just Skritter.

[roddy]

Now also in iPad if anyone's interested. Anyone using the iPhone app regularly?

[icebear]

I use the app daily, mostly on iPad these days. The iPad app doesn't have a huge advantage over the iPhone version, IMO - both are good, but the iPad app has potential to one day be better - currently they are essentially the same.