Apple's Foldable iPhone Duo: The Apps Showing What the Device Can Do
A TechCrunch reviewer has highlighted apps built specifically for Apple's first foldable phone, the iPhone Duo. Many popular apps are not yet optimized for it.
Apple has released its first foldable phone, the iPhone Duo, with a starting price of $2,000. Using a review unit supplied by Apple, a technology reviewer at TechCrunch picked out apps that take advantage of the device's two screens and various postures, rather than merely stretching an image across a bigger display.
The reviewer notes that many everyday iOS apps were not optimized by launch day: they appear with black bars, have controls in odd places, or must be enlarged with a tap. Developers who built specifically for the Duo, however, strengthened the reviewer's interest.
Video and music
The streaming service Netflix shows short clips on the outer screen, and when the device is unfolded the video continues on the larger inner display. Netflix is one of Apple's hand-picked launch partners whose apps were ready on day one; MLB, NYT Cooking, Slack and Fantastical were also optimized.
The music player Deck-Man, formerly Duo-Man, imitates a Walkman cassette player. It was created by independent developer Vidit Bhargava. When the device is closed, the interface resembles the front of a Walkman. The app is available on the App Store from October 23. In MD Vinyl, a virtual record player, users can lift the tonearm and place it on the record.
Productivity and travel
The notebook app TypeDraw lets users type in their own handwriting or in one of 12 fonts. The workout app Wakeout uses a separate interface for each position: closed, open, tent and laptop mode. The flight-tracking app Flighty shows a larger globe with the flight path when open, and its new En Route Mode is meant for a Duo folded into a tent and placed on a surface such as an airplane tray table. The stargazing app Sky Guide offers a wider map on the unfolded screen.
Retro and playful apps
Tiny Computers includes 10 retro computers, among them the Macintosh, Commodore 64 and Windows 95; it costs a one-time $3.99, with no ads or subscriptions. The camera app Pico Cam works both open and closed. The reviewer also mentions the novelty app Toastie.
