It seems nowadays everyone famous is getting involved with some kind of technological endeavour. The latest one to join the ranks, is Tom Hanks – yes, he of Forrest Gump fame.
Apparently Mr Hanks has a soft spot for typewriters. This sounds a bit contradictory when we’re talking about technology, but he has found a way to merge technology and old-school coolness.
Last year Hanks wrote an article in the New York Times where he sang the praises of the common old typewriter – “Everything you type on a typewriter sounds grand, the words forming in mini-explosions of SHOOK SHOOK SHOOK.” Hanks is also an avid typewriter collector, starting way back in 1978.
His passion has lead to a collaboration with Hitcents to develop the Hanx writer, an app simulating a typewriter.
It replicates all the sounds of a typewriter, the click of the keys and the bell at the end of a line. You can even XXX out your mistakes like in the old days.
However Hanx writer does include some more technologically advanced features such as the option to e-mail, print or share the document you typed. It can also be paired with a blue-tooth keyboard, if you happen to have one.
Unfortunately Hanks’ app is only available for iPads. There are three versions available and the basic model can be downloaded for free on Apple iTunes. Extra paid options can be downloaded if you need more choices. The app launched last week and it currently holds it’s place as the most downloaded app in iTunes.
According to Hanks the app isn’t meant for serious work, but rather as a novelty for those feeling nostalgic who share his love of the now extinct typewriter. And if you prefer something closer to the real thing – QWERKY, has developed a bluetooth iPad keyboard resembling a typewriter.
[SOURCES: www.time.com, www.theguardian, www.nytimes.com, www.mashable.com]
Deesdae is al wat `n bekende is, betrokke by een of ander vorm of van tegnologie. Die nuutste is Tom Hanks – ja, die einste een van Forest Gump.
Blykbaar het Mnr Hanks `n sagte plekkie vir tikmasjiene. Dié stelling klink `n bietjie teenstrydig siende dat ons nou net van tegnologie gepraat het, maar Hanks het `n manier gekry om tegnologie en retro-koelheid te trou met mekaar.
Verlede jaar het hy in die New York Times in `n artikel die gewone, ou tikmasjien behoorlik die lof besing – “Everything you type on a typewriter sounds grand, the words forming in mini-explosions of SHOOK SHOOK SHOOK.”
Hanks is natuurlik ook al sedert 1978 `n ywerige versamelaar. Hierdie passie het gelei tot samewerkingsooreenkoms met Hitcents om die Hanx Writer, `n toepassing wat die tikmasjien probeer simuleer, te ontwikkel.
Hanx writer maak al die byklanke van `n tikmaskien na – die gekletter van die sleutels en selfs die klokkie aan die einde van `n reël. Jy kan selfs jou foute uit”XXX”, soos in die ou dae.
Die Hanx writer bevat ook meer tegnologies-gevorderde ekstras soos die opsie om jou dokument te e-pos, druk of te deel met ander. Dit kan selfs gebruik word saam met `n “blue-tooth” sleutelbord.
Ongelukkig is Hanks se toepassings slegs beskikbaar vir iPads. Daar is drie weergawes beskikbaar met betaalopsies vir meer verskeidenheid. Die toepassing is laasweek bekendgestel, maar staan reeds stewig as mees afgelaaide toepassing op Apple iTunes.
Volgens Hanks is dit nie ideaal vir ernstige werk en dokumente nie, maar moet dit gesien word as `n nuutjie vir diegene wat nostalgies voel en sy liefde vir tikmasjiene deel. As jy verkies om nog nader aan die oorspronklike te kom – QWERKY het `n “blue-tooth” sleutelbord ontwikkel wat trek na`n tikmasjien.
[BRONNE: www.time.com, www.theguardian, www.nytimes.com, www.mashable.com]
Tags: applications, Apps