Convertbot for iPhone
As with any device, mobile or otherwise, the more applications are available the more useful that device becomes. That was my experience with Windows Mobile for which a wealth of applications could be purchased and downloaded and the same is true for the iPhone.
I spend a fair bit of time every week or so to check out what’s new in the iTunes App Store. For reference purposes I had downloaded a freeware currency converter. It suited my purposes well but was obviously limited to currency conversions. When the need came about to quickly convert some measurements, I decided to check out the collection of unit converters available for the iPhone. I spent a little time looking around and then settled on Convertbot, a really excellent conversion utility that provides a huge assortment of units as well as a rather unique interface.
It works like this: select the appropriate unit category by turning the selection wheel. At first, the icons on the wheel may be difficult to decipher, but after one or two tries they make sense. Once selected, the chosen units within that category may be converted. To change currencies is a simple matter of selecting the currency shown at the bottom half of the wheel and then selecting a new one, for example.
It’s all very intuitive and the large OK button in the middle cannot be missed. The movement of the wheel is accompanied by some rather appropriate sound effects. The usual functions are provided: invert the conversion or simply select a new unit to change the conversion to that. Currencies are updated at regular intervals using WiFi or 3G. Under the hood, the developers have provided quite an assortment of unit categories, and selecting the most appropriate or most-oft used ones is very simple. First, select the category,
then the units within that category
If you’re looking for a conversion application that does it all, Convertbot should be part of your consideration. Though the interface with the selection wheel and the sound effects may put some users off, I find the application a delight to use. At USD 1.99, the application is well worth it. iTunes Store link here. There’s also a mini application available free of charge to try out before committing to the full app.
