10 Fun and Unusual IPhone Duo Apps Worth Trying
The iPhone Duo marks Apple’s first major change to the iPhone form factor. This is a significant development because, among other things, it allows app developers to be even more creative. If you own an iPhone Duo, are considering getting one, or are simply interested in creative app interfaces, you’ll want to check out these apps.
Turn your iPhone Duo into a retro computer.
In the Tiny Computers app ($4), when the Duo is half-open, the lower display turns into a keyboard, and the upper screen flips up. The app showcases computers inspired by the Commodore 64, Windows 95, iMac G3, Macintosh, IBM PC, Amiga 500, ThinkPad, iBook G3, Powerbook G4, and Windows XP. The attention to detail is impressive, but early App Store reviews suggest the app may be buggy.
This Walkman-inspired app brings a retro feel to Apple Music.
I miss the tactile experience of playing music on my cassette player at home and my old Sony Walkman clone. Deck-Man ($5) is an app that brings the Walkman interface, with all the clicks and clacks, to your iPhone Duo. Every time you play an album, Deck-Man lets you “insert” a cassette tape into the player before playback begins. The app connects to your Apple Music account and also supports playback of local music files.
Turn your Duo into an accordion
Foldissimo (free, $10 to unlock all songs) simulates the sound of airflow in an accordion when you fold and unfold your iPhone Duo. It comes with a few preinstalled songs, and you can pay $10 to unlock them all. Foldissimo also supports several other instruments (accordion, panflute, and theremin), but unlocking them requires an additional $10 fee.
This retro camcorder “turns on” when you open the Duo.
With the Flipcorder app ($5), the viewfinder and retro interface remain visible when the Duo is in tablet mode, and subjects can also view the frame through the external display. When the Duo is folded, the app saves video and allows you to record up to 30 minutes of video per day, each saved to a virtual “tape.”
In this puzzle you have to place objects together to find solutions.
Orisuji ($5) is a puzzle game where you solve mazes by folding your iPhone Duo. It has 69 levels, and most of them involve folding or unfolding the device to change the maze’s layout, causing characters to move, opening doors, or finding keys to get past locked ones.
Form your Duo for this sandwich making game.
Toastie ($3) is a sandwich-making game where you master 10 recipes, each with 15 seconds to complete while your customers wait to be served. You fold your phone to “cook” the sandwich; if you leave it folded too long, the toast will burn.
In this puzzle you need to fold the phone to move the walls.
Marbles Unhinged (free, $3 per level to unlock all levels in the world) is a puzzle game where you control a marble, guiding it to the exit of each level. When you fold your iPhone, the top half of the level turns into a ramp, changing the ball’s speed. You can hold your phone at different angles to change the nature of the level, leading you to the solution.
This app will turn your phone into a monster.
The ChompDuo app (free, $1 to unlock all monsters) uses the Duo’s folding mechanism to make the monsters “bite,” and you’ll feel each bite thanks to haptic vibrations. When you close the Duo, the monster’s eyes look at you from the outer display. It’s a fun app that you or your kids can enjoy playing with.
Create a city with this app.
The Unfold Your City app (free, $5 to unlock all cities) mimics pop-up books that guide you through the landmarks of different cities. It reminds me of Robert Sabuda’s beautiful pop-up books, especially when used on the iPhone Duo. As you unfold the device, illustrations of each city gradually appear, and when you close the “book,” the cover is revealed.
Dex Fold is a Pokédex designed for duos.
In the Pokémon anime, the Pokédex is an encyclopedia that compiles information about your friendly pocket monsters from your neighborhood. The Dex Fold app (free, $3 to unlock additional features) mimics the device from the anime, meaning you can only use the app when unfolded on your iPhone Duo.