Eliza Block has released a free version of her popular crossword puzzle app, 2 Across [App Store].
The Lite version of the application provides a free demo of the game with a more limited selection of puzzles.
With the Lite Edition, you can download and solve puzzles from the New York Times, The Onion, and the Sydney Morning Herald. With the full edition, tens of thousands more puzzles become available, from an ever-growing list of sources.
We previously reviewed both 2 Across and Crosswords and found them both to be quite capable. 2 Across offered a few unique features, such as Pen and Paper modes, and the ability to reveal individual letters. The full version of 2 Across is also cheaper than Crosswords at only $5.99 [App Store]
See our full review for details and gameplay videos. Meanwhile, the Crosswords developer also recently released a free version [App Store] of their application, so you can compare them directly yourselves.
Just a note. He has commented on the X-Plane forums that free updates will include new airports and airplanes and that an automotive version is coming soon for Computer and iPhone.
Question: I'd like to get this game, but SIM's indimidate me a bit. Often they're very difficult for the average person to play without hours of learning about the complex art of flying a real aircraft.
Does the iPhone's interactive system make it so the average "gamer" could fly or is this a real SIM for pilots and hardcore SIM fans?
Thanks!
-Jake
I can play this. It's easy. The only problem is that it's hard, HARD, to land.
@Jake: The controls are so intuitive that I feel even the unexperienced "pilot" can enjoy the title.
@blakespot: Would you say this is more of a pick-up app, or something that you would only play with if you were in the mood? What sort of "re-playability" draw does it have?
Oh, and it IS a game: It's survival mode!
It really is a terrific app. I've written a review of X-Plane for the iPhone at http://www.flightsimx.co.uk... for anyone interested.
In the wish list, I believe the ground shadow will be the one that is difficult to fix. The reason is that Apple's implementation of OpenGL|ES does not support stencils. There might be other ways to make shadows, but I believe the most common one is the stenciled shadow volumes technique.
I'd love know how you controlled the planes via an egg yolk. :P
Just got this game yesterday. I agree with the wish list, but would like them to add challenges too. It would give you something else to do other than just fly around and explore. This is actually the first flight simulator I've purchased since MS's flight simulator 1995, so obviously I'm no expert "pilot", yet I could control the plane very easily. Except when I try to land, then I crash because I always forget about the landing gear! I'm glad they're going to add more airports and planes, can't wait for the update!
According to the video, I am pretty sure the author ported his original desktop code (Mac/Linux/Win) over to the OS X Touch platform, which means it is the most realistic flight modelling out there. If you haven't flown a plane, or a simulation, you won't land this until after some practice.
This is a major leap forward for mobile flight sims. There simply isn't much out there, period. And to have it this good and realistic is nothing short of remarkable.
And BigD, if your last flight sim was MS FS 1995, I'm sure you'll find this much more appealing.
I got this too. When I first saw it announced I went and downloaded the Windows demo and flew around with (sorry Sim fans) a Playstation 2 controller. I was really impressed (not with the PS2 controller though) so I bought the iPhone version. So far im really happy. I wish I could use the iphone to control the desktop version, id be a way better pilot.
one question, what does the flap slider do? right now I use it to adjust what position the phone needs to be in to attain level flight. Is that really its purpose or could someone more familiar with flight sims explain it to me.
thanks!
Flaps are used to provide additional lift to the wings. Typically, when taking off, flaps should be lowered to the first stop. When landing, you'll want to have your flaps fully extended (lowered gradually as your airspeed drops). It increases lift while allowing you to land at reduced speeds.
You'll notice in flight that when you lower the flaps, your nose wants to tilt up (from the additional lift) and slow down (additional drag from lowering the flaps).
Once you've reached a certain speed (varies by plane) at takeoff, you'll want to raise your flaps so your flying "clean".
Hope that helps.
- - Jeff
that did help, thanks!
awsome app. A must buy in my opinion, can't wait for the update for new scenery, planes, options, tutorial, etc
This @ notation is weird. You speak to people, not @ them. Name and comma is sufficient, thanks. Silly convention.
Battery life? I mean is this suitable for use over say a half hour train ride in the morning, having enough for normal phone operations, reading email, and then another half hour train ride in the evening?
Agreed, this is an awesome iPhone app. I've played with the desktop version on and off for years. One thing I'd add to the wishlist, assuming I'm not just too stupid to find the setting: destructable planes! I learned to land without bouncing, but there's no penalty for whanging into the ground other than bouncing off, and that's...well, lame. :-) The main reason I (when flightsimming) get the whole sweaty-yoke feeling is having invested fifteen minutes in a good left-hand traffic approach, and then on final, AIIIIIGH...heh.
My request is for an "instant replay". When I finally figured out how to land I would have loved to go back and see it from different angles.
I really want to like this app. However, EVERY time I play the app crashes sooner or later. One time, it crashed the moment I took off. It seems I can't play the game any longer than 10 minutes before I am returned to the home screen.
I have the latest firmware 2.1 for my Touch. One other game suffers from exactly the same thing, Asphalt4 Elite Racing. Yet all other apps haven't crashed once.
Anyone else?
I have spent quite some time with this title on my 2.1 3G and it has not crashed once, ever. FYI.
It's ok- sorted the problem. I rebooted my iPod (which someone suggested on another site) and it has now stopped crashing. I have had a good long flight now, and I love this game. I just can't wait to see what's coming in the next update.
Hi Everyone,
Admittedly, I'm no pilot, but I can't seem to keep these planes in the air without them spinning upside down and nose-diving back into the ground. The aircraft do this even when I hold the phone perfectly still. In the online videos I've seen here and elsewhere, no one's doing anything with the wing flaps--the scroll button remains in the up position. Is this a mistake? How, exactly, should I take-off? Should I immediately lower the flaps as soon as the plane leaves the ground? And once airborne, what should one primarily be paying attention to? Seems like if I even slightly tilt the phone from side-to-side or front and back, the plane goes out of control.
Sorry for the questions. I really like the way this program looks, but I've never tried a flight simulator before. Thanks.
Is there any manual or tutorial for the Touch version? 'Couldn't find one.
BG
If you find it uncontrollable (as I just did) it's a bug with the accelerometer. Also RAM can get fragmented over time, so.... Restart your iPhone. Turn it off (not sleep) and then back on again. And when you launch X-Plane make sure you're holding it in your hand, not resting flat on a surface.
Finch:
Your observation is a very good one. In some sense you're exactly on target in that the flaps control the angle of the controls in level flight. If you look at the airspeed indicator in those situations, you'll notice a difference too, for a given power setting. Your flap setting, like a trim setting, can be thought to set a particular speed at which the plane maintains straight and level flight.
Nursedad is right too. Flaps can be used to improve lift on takeoff. There's a cost though - they also increase drag. So flaps are only used during the very first part of takeoff and are usually fully retracted by the time you're lifting off.
They're used more heavily in landing. You see, whenever you add lift, you also add drag. The effect of that is that the plane slows down for a given power setting/lift characteristic. During landing, this is important to minimize the speed at which you touch down. So, as you set up for landing, remove most of the power and slowly add flaps. By the time you use full flaps, the plane will be going quite slowly. This means you can land on shorter run ways and generally saves wear and tear on the airplane. (Not something you have to worry about too much in a simulator.)
-twinotter
Just Purchased 9.01. Program comes up but crashes immediately! Very Frustrating
how do you use the compas? I see an arrow and NESW but other than that it makes little sense
You have done so much that I am embarrassed to suggest something else....
How about DME ?
Like Pocket Water above, I can't control this thing. Keith above claims that I might have a problem with the accelerometer -- so what's the solution? Is it a hardware problem (to go Apple for new iphone?) or so I just need to adjust pitch/roll setting? On the default display, the "airplane" (circle with lines/wings) appears way to the right (off the runway) and bounces around the right side of the screen. If I go into "settings" and then back to the main screen, the "airplane" sorta centers itself on the screen but continues to do a little bouncing. I release the brake, get it up in the air ... but at that point, i simply cannot keep this thing level. I pitch nose and tail (at times doing flips) and roll left or right until I hit the ground.
Is my iphone the problem? Is it the software? Help!
Brian:
The compass is useful for 3 things:
1. Navigating around the little world provided using general N S E W with reference to the map found in Settings [Place]. The map picture can be zoomed, shrunk, and rotated using the iPhone 2 finger pinch and expand. Keep in mind top of the picture is North.
NOTE: In this mode, the needle in the compass is NOT used. You are headed in whatever direction the compass heading is at the "top" of the compass.
2. You can use the arrow to "find" the end of the runway after you have taken off and are flying around. In this case you need to be sure your NAV 1 radio is set to 110.1 (which is the default). You can confirm this by going to the instrument panel view and flicking the instrument panel up until you can see 2 NAV radios.
The NAV 1 radio is on the left and is set to 110.1 by default. You need to be sure little toggle switch between the radios is set to NAV 1 (also a default). If the frequency is not correct, you can tap above or below the knobs to increase both the large and decimal point numbers.
Once you have confirmed you have 110.1 set, go back to the game. The arrow now points to the end of Runway 26. To get back to the runway and land, ideally you should position your aircraft so that when the arrow is pointing "up" the compass heading is 260 degrees. Flying a proper instrument approach is a whole other conversation and level of difficulty.
3. Navigating to and from the EURACH VOR using the arrow in the compass. By the way VOR beacons are typically used for cross country navigation from one VOR to another or (as in this case) to pre-position the aircraft to fly an instrument approach to a specific runway.
In this case you need to be sure your NAV 2 radio is set to 115.2 (which is the default). You can confirm this by using the procedure in item 2. The NAV 2 radio on the right is set to 115.2 by default. Once you have confirmed you have 115.2 set, go back to the game.
The arrow should now be pointing to the VOR beacon, which may not be the direction your airplane is headed. To get to the beacon, turn the aircraft until the arrow is pointing "up" in the compass. When you fly over the beacon, the arrow will swing abruptly in the other direction.
This is an extremely abbreviated explanation of how to us the compass and NAV radios. Hope it is some help.
my iphone x-plane 9 worked fine at first but it crashes now.
I've deleted it and reinstalled it but it still doesn't work. It crashes as soon as I try to do something and it is up to date
Please I need Help!
I just got a new iPhone 3G in Germany (T-Mobile) and I can't run X-Plane. After 20 seconds global picture and 5 seconds initial picture, the screen converts to gray and few seconds after the application quits. What's happen?
Please. help me.
Hi,
I thought I'd chime in. First, my pilot credentials are nil. I'm not a real pilot, and I have only played a few times with flight sims on desktops. But, I have always loved flying--flying, thinking about flying, dreaming about flying. On that score, I have solid credentials.
And, then I heard about X-Plane for the iPod Touch, which I had just received for my birthday (62). It seemed perfect to me. Look out the cockpit window, and "fly" the iPod.
This marvel has been everything I had hoped. It feels very "real" to me, pretender that I am. When it comes to conveying the thrill of flying, this is a great way to go. Superior in many ways to using plastic joysticks, yokes and stuff.
Anyway, I'm still new at this. Forget "smooth" landings--my percentage of successful landings is still pretty low. But, I'm having a ball.
One problem, though, has been adjusting to the feel. The iPod is tiny. Small movements are impossible to avoid when you're holding it, and small movements can translate to big effects in an airplane.
But, happily, I found a solution. I have a wrist rest for using a mouse. It's a little padded bag, full of little beads. They're not styrofoam beads, because the bag is heavy. Maybe gel beads? Anyway, I found that by resting the iPod on the bag, the little random movements are eliminated. I can still bank and dive and climb simply by pushing the iPod against the bag whichever way I want to go.
Trying to fly by holding the iPod in my hands was like playing a video game, with lots of little jerky motions. Flying on my the wrist rest, though, gives me the chance to make smooth and steady motions. Just wanted to share this tip.
Loving this!
To everyone who's having issues starting the app:
The app does take up ALOT of RAM usage, and as such, does often crash if your iPhone has been used alot by other apps prior to starting. Something related to memory management issues and leaks.
The surefire way to have X-Plane running properly is to restart the iPhone.
I know its a pain, but its worth doing. This is a great app and I love playing it now and then. It certainly gets more replay value than Spore!
xplain would be beast online
all who think that there should be a online xplane put>>>>> :) <<<<< on there reviews
Cam,
How so? Like MS Flightsim2004, where it checks your region's weather and duplicates it on the game?
Or have everyone flying into the same airport runway strip, or knock each other out with turbulance?
Way back on 9/18, Finch said "I wish I could use the iphone to control the desktop version, I'd be a way better pilot." There is an app in the App Store called ZoozControl --- there's even a free version --- that allows you to do just that. You can use the iPhone as a game controller; there's templates for Flight Simulator X and others, and it's easy to set up the desktop version of X-Plane to allow iPhone control. Very cool.
Knowing that MS does not do a Mac version of FS to base a iPhone version and being a avid fan of X-Plane it's good to see the latter available on the iPhone.
my computer is made by dell but my computer wont run thex-plane 9
i have a HP computer and x plane 9 wont run on my computer. Would really like some help? thanks
Hi, I just purchased X-Plane Version 9.09 for helicopters. Can any one tell me where to find the control index or better yet how to fly the helicopter.
Thanks Blair
I forgot to add one important item. The info I'm requesting is for a I-Touch not I-Phone.
Thanks Blair
I'd like to help, but your question is very vague. From the X-Plane website:
The COLLECTIVE control is on the LEFT of the iPhone screen... drag it DOWN GENTLY to INCREASE the pitch of the main rotor, thus causing the helo to lift. As you drag this collective down, you will notice that the throttle AUTOMATICALLY increases on the right side of the screen. This is because the throttle governor automatically increases the engine power to maintain the desired rotor RPM as you increase the load on the rotor by increasing the rotor pitch. This is how the real helicopters work, and how we simulate them on the iPhone.
Pitching and rolling are controlled using tilt, basically, tilt forwards to pitch the helo forwards etc.
You also have rudder control at the bottom. Use this to spin left and right. My advice is don't touch this until you've mastered the other controls. You need to manually push it back to the centre to stop it spinning.
All of the controls require sensitive, smooth inputs. Helicopters like to spin out of control and crash!
This is a complex simulation, and I wish they'd put more help on the website.
If you have any more questions, send me a private message.
Brendonian,
Thanks so much for replying to my email. With your advise, tonight was the first time was able to fly the helo, mind you not far but at least was able to take off.
Cheers,
Blair
Glad I could help. Keep practicing.
Any chance to get a British Spitfire for the iPhone version?
any chance for a British Spitfire for the iPhone version?
I have all the xplane for iphone apps, and I am also an experienced real-world pilot. The apps give a good basic representation of real flight dynamics. A problem I'm having though: since I updated to ver 9.09, the radio frequencies on the approaches and navaids dont appear on the map display. This makes it useless for insturment flight, which is what I really liked it for. Anyone experience this or know a fix?
The freqs. are still on the maps, just zoom in to see them.
Hi,
is there a way to extract the flight parameters data to a text doc or spreadsheet while flying the x-plane on iphone? Thanks
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though: since I updated to ver 9.09, the radio frequencies on the
approaches and navaids dont appear on the map display. This
http://www.replicas2u.ru/ul... there a way to extract the flight parameters data to a text doc or spreadsheet while flying the x-plane on iphone? Thanks
Great flight simulator