A “You Gotta See This” App – Smule’s Ocarina

I love my iPhone as much as ever but, to be honest, I’ve been more than a little bit underwhelmed by what has been showing up in the App Store lately. The number of significant updates has slowed and it’s been more than a few days since there was something that made me go, "Wow!". Well, this app made me go "WOW!!!!!"

Stanford Professor Dr. G. Wong  and his company Smule released a music application for the iPhone. I wasn’t going to download it. I love music but I’m not a musician. And, quite honestly, I’ve been more than a little bit underwhelmed by the music applications that have come out for the iPhone. Sure, the first time you see them they’re cool but, after a short time, not so much. This particular application, however… WOW!!!! Truly mind blowing. Like nothing I’ve ever seen before. Like nothing I ever thought could happen. Did I mention, WOW!

Here’s the description–

Ocarina is the first true musical instrument created for the iPhone. It is sensitive to your breath, touch and movements, making it even more versatile than the original. Unlike other musical applications, there are no precompiled ripoffs to musicians will find unlimited opportunities for self-expression. But you don’t have to be formally trained to appreciate this enchanting instrument.

–Blow into your microphone to generate music

–Hold on combinations of the holes to change your patch

–Tilt your phone from front to back to change the vibrato depth

 –Tilt your phone from side to side to change the vibrato rate

Here’s the video of it in action,

I saw it and immediately bought the application. (Hey, it was just $.99!)

More than anything Ocarina is something you have to experience firsthand. You blow into the microphone and begins to create a sound. You tapped one of the "holes" that appear on the iPhone screen and it changes the note. Tapped one of the other "holes" in the no changes as well. It’s absolutely bizarre.

I showed it to my wife. While patient with my interests, she doesn’t share my enthusiasm. And yet, her comment, "This takes it to the next level. Very cool."

The application does even more. If you tap the globe icon on the bottom of the application you’re able to see and hear other people who are using the application somewhere in the world. You see where they’re located on a globe and you actually see and hear the notes they’re playing rising up from their location. It is truly something worth seeing and experiencing even if you’re not a musician and have no intention of using the application in the future.

Ocarina is available HERE in the App Store for $.99.