Nine Unusual Apps Built for Apple's Foldable iPhone Duo
Following the launch of Apple's first foldable phone, the iPhone Duo, independent developers have built apps that make use of its hinge and two screens. Tech outlet Wired has picked nine, ranging from games to a calendar and flashcards.
The launch of Apple's first foldable smartphone, the iPhone Duo, has prompted independent app developers to build software around its folding design. Julian Chokkattu, a reviewer at the technology outlet Wired who has tested almost every foldable phone over the past decade, says he has never received so many app pitches. On the App Store, apps that make the best use of the larger screen carry a "Made for iPhone Duo" badge. Android foldables, by comparison, have been available for seven years.
Games and entertainment
Battlefleet Duo is a take on the Battleships board game: in tabletop mode, one screen shows your own ships and the other the enemy fleet. Two battles a day are free, and unlimited play requires a one-time $5 purchase. PianoFold is a rhythm game with 40 levels across eight chapters; the first two chapters are free, and full access costs $5. Toastie, at $3, has players assemble a sandwich on the inner screen and then close the phone for a set time to "grill" it. It has only 10 recipes.
The Delta emulator, built for retro games, has received its biggest update yet, adding iPhone Duo support: the phone can act like a Nintendo DS-style clamshell, with automatic sleep when closed. Users must source their own ROMs. Tiny Computers, priced at $4, offers 10 vintage computers, such as the Commodore 64 and the iMac G3, with a clickable keyboard on the lower screen.
Creativity and productivity
Flipcorder turns the phone into a camcorder with VHS and MiniDV filters, and the person being filmed sees a preview on the outer display. RectoVerso ($13) uses Apple Intelligence to build flashcards from notes or PDFs, and opening the phone slightly gradually reveals the answer. Portal offers relaxing soundscapes and more than 100 vistas; the free tier includes three, while full access costs $3 a month, $30 a year or $100 for a lifetime. FirstSeed Planner shows a calendar on one half of the screen and a daily planner on the other; it is free, with a Pro tier from $3.49 a month.
