Opinion: Advanced calculators on the iPhone
CNET columnist Stephen Shankland recently wrote about Hewlett-Packard releasing iPhone apps for various models of the popular HP scientific calculators that were released over the years. Along with Apple's included calculator, various scientific and statistical functions are now available for people in the style of 70's and 80's electronics.
As the iPhone becomes faster and more powerful, it will undoubtedly take on new roles. Along with HP's calculator apps there are already advanced graphing and scientific calculators available for the iPhone, and perhaps this will advance to the point where advanced analytical software is available as well. Mathematica or Matlab to go, anyone?
While the iPhone and similar devices will take over function from standalone devices such as calculators, perhaps we will never see calculators disappear for the simple fact that some situations will always require a basic calculator (ie: school exams that call for a four-function calculator only). Keep in mind that despite typewriters and computer advancements, we still have pencils and lined paper. Calculators are here to stay.
You can read Stephen's article here: http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10273119-1.html
Resources
<b>$15</b> for the 12C emulator?
<b>$30</b> for the 15C emulator?!?!
The original hardware models are wonderful for their build quality, longevity and overall robustness.
As an app anything that operates similarly is just as useful, and there have to be alternatives out there (or are coming soon if not.)
Perhaps at $5 - $10 each, but not at <b>$45</b> for the pair?
<http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=317927596&mt=8>
It is interesting in its capabilities for unlimited sized fractions and factorials.
I love my HP33s, but it sits at home on my desk. On my iPhone, I use OneCalc, which offers better UI and takes better advantage of the iPhone. http://bit.ly/wSCVG [itunes link] It does everything I wish my HP33 did, and it's vastly cheap. It's also getting better on a regular basis.
These are definitely not 'pocket calculators' since they have functions beyond the basic four.
If these retail for $70 (12c financial) and $40 (33s scientific), then something is wrong with the pricing - it is too LOW. And I would bet that HP is working on a graphing calculator for the iPhone.
Maybe you don't have any memory of when calculators were only mechanical or when they operated only when plugged into an AC outlet. We've come a long way, baby!
"42S" is based on code that has been running, for years, on the PC, Linux, Palm, and PocketPC... called "Free42": Check out http://free42.sourceforge.net
The recently released iPhone version costs US$5 -- search for "42s RPN Calculator" in the App Store.
One feature I really like is the ability to convert from one standard to two others simultaneously, i.e., convert one canadian dollar simultaneously to US dollars and Mexican pesos. Good conversions but a limited straight arithmetic calculator.
Check it out before buying:
http://alsoftiphone.com/i41CXplus/
- by slurslee July 9, 2009 5:48 PM PDT
- Who needs these when there are a dozen slide rule apps for the iPhone?
- Like this Reply to this comment
-
(9 Comments)---
|
| slur was here
|