No I haven't got any Go apps for my iPhone yet, as I said I forgot all about it until I came across this thread. I just noticed the name Aya Go pop up a few times in this thread, I'm gonna go read its reviews later when I get home from work.
So is Aya Go the only Go game in the store with another engine than GNU Go? And shouldn't the GNU Go engine be better according to the ICGA Tournaments results (http://www.grappa.univ-lille3.fr/icga/game.php?id=12)?
Tetsuki and GNU go are sufficient for me, but AYA Go is definetly pretty and tempting at that price. At my skill level tho, GNU Go is plenty. I find that I learn more watching other's play using the live Tetsuki client.
Don't think it's a sale but rather a permanent price drop from $10 to $6. Aya Go try demo is the best you can get but having said that probably only targeted to a true Go enthusiast. Go weiqei is decent for the average Joe and it's free every now and then. It is free now June 16th. Now SmartGo Pro not sure what the hell they're thinking they've raised it from $10 to $13.
A few of the apps let you review preloaded games, which help players of all levels to internalize good moves. If you want to actually learn the game and study techniques, there are several good sources online. Start with Sensei's Library; the Wikipedia article also has some good links. I feel the same way I did when I started the thread, though: I wish there were a reasonably priced app with a solid interface that allowed you to view expert games, practice preset life/death situations, and play against a solid AI.
smartgo pro is without a doubt the best go app available. I've learned sooooo many strategies and the added computer play is icing to the cake.
It's funny how the original language of the game is spelt wrong: "Weiqei"?? The game Weiqi is Chinese, not Japanese.
So, in the end, which is the best Go app? Aya Go looks the best, but the reviews say it crashes like nuts. I read this thread and some iTunes reviews for all the available apps, but it seems inconclusive.
I'm probably not the best person to consult on this (since I haven't checked if there are any new Go apps released in the last 6 months), but I've found iGo (http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/igo-sale/id297094975?mt=8) to be a decent app. It's only 99 cents, has AI, komi, variable board sizes, etc.
As a strong (6d AGA) go player, I highly recommend IT IGO for its engine, which is fairly strong. Even though I can give it 9 handicap and beat it by 300+ points, it is still a very good challenge for most beginners. On a side note, SmartGo Pro is also very good, if only for its ridiculous amount of pro games. If you're looking to improve, simply browsing through those games will improve your strength greatly. $12.99 may seem steep for the Iphone but it's really a bargain considering most decent Go books are $20+. EDIT: On a even more unrelated sidenote, I just realized that 8 pages of Go-related stuff on an iphone gaming forum is pretty awesome. May I direct you to http://www.lifein19x19.com/?
