Back in October of 2005 , I enthusiastically reviewed PCalc 3 , which has since been my preferred calculator for the Mac . The developer , TLA Systems , latterly unloosen the $ 10PCalcfor the iPhone and iPod contact , and it ’s similarly slick . Although Apple update the iPhone ’s built - in calculator app considerably with the release of the iPhone 2.0 software system — most notably by adding a landscape - mode scientific layout — PCalc is an appealing option , offering a compelling compounding of advanced functions , useful conversion and unremitting feature article , and a great interface .
PCalc ’s standard ( erect ) mode bid all the social occasion of the iPhone ’s own stock - calculator style , plus part , parentheses for nestle mathematical process , opposite , square root , advocate , and more . Like Apple ’s computer , rotate your iPhone gives you a landscape painting mode with more - advanced scientific and programmer ’ features . PCalc includes every function of Apple ’s figurer except for a random - number source , while contribute feature such as decimal , hexadecimal , octal , and binary mode , as well as a safe number of extra mathematical mathematical function .
But PCalc ’s advantages go beyond having more button . nigh and dear to my geek heart isRPN(Reverse Polish Notation ) entry mood . There ’s also a virtual tapeline , which displays a time - stamped record of your calculation , and a register ( call Stack in RPN modality ) , which displays both memory contents and decimal- , hex- , octal- , and binary - base versions of the current number . you could even e - post the contents of the tape or cross-file .
PCalc’s RPN mode: standard (left) and 2nd-function (right)
PCalc ’s RPN mood : criterion ( odd ) and second - routine ( right )
Available in both portrait and landscape painting modes are two other unparalleled features . beg the A->B button ( or double - tap the “ LCD ” ) convey up PCalc ’s rebirth mode , which let you convince the current number — the one displayed in PCalc ’s LCD — using one of over 80 conversion functions that cover length , power , weight , Energy Department , and more . ( Tapping the reborn value infix it for further calculation . ) solicit the42button lets you choose from among a slew of constants across several category : astronomical , atomic , electromagnetic , numerical , physicochemical , and universal . prefer a constant inputs it for use in the current computation . And , yes , 42 is the constant for Ultimate Answer .
PCalc also drive advantage of the iPhone ’s touch screen and accelerometer . When performing calculations , a swipe of the LCD to the right invokes the Undo feature article ; a swipe to the remaining invokes Redo . ( Multiple levels of undo and redo are supported . ) And if press the Clear and Clear All buttons is too pedestrian for your iPhone - get laid workforce , give the phone a left over - right shake ; two agitate equalize to Clear , three to Clear All .
PCalc’s Conversions function
Finally , unlike other iPhone calculator apps — include Apple ’s own — PCalc admit a keyboard custom - cypher by TLA Systems to mimic the iPhone ’s stock keyboard in both “ feel ” and animation : When you iron on a key , a larger version of its recording label pops up , confirming which key you ’re in reality pressing ; “ resign ” the key activate it .
PCalc ’s orientation include choice for the turn of decimal places ; normal , scientific , or technology display ; two different screen fonts ; a pick ofHPor non - HP RPN behavior ; and display colors .
PCalc ’s Conversions social function
Most of my complaint about PCalc are venial and bear on to button locating and size . For deterrent example , those used toHP ’s RPN reckoner , as I am , will in all probability rule the Enter push to be a bit small and oddly set ( it ’s the same sizing as a standard button and turn up one or two rows over from the number tablet , depending on the iPhone ’s orientation course ) . And the standard operand button ( + – x / ) chemise positions , comparative to the number pad , when you switch over between portrait and landscape musical mode ; I occasionally find myself mistyping after switching orientation . Finally , I ’d like to see a bit more contrast between keys and their label ; white on gray can be difficult to show at time . ( On the other deal , the bloodless - on - blue appearance of the RPN tonality when RPN style is activated is very easy to scan . )
It ’s also worth noting that scientific calculating machine are very personal things among those who use them heavily . While I find PCalc to be outstanding , if you have specific or strange needs , be indisputable to determine if PCalc has those functions before buying .
Of naturally , at $ 10 , you have to postulate — or at leastwant — a considerably improved calculator to apologize purchasing PCalc . And there are nowa number of other third - company calculatorandconversionapps out there , at various price points . But none has as many feature film , or , in my opinion , a corresponding port or as much polish . And if you contrive on purchasing both a scientific calculatoranda conversion app , the price is quite sensible . For me , buying PCalc was a no - brainer . And I did n’t even postulate a calculator to figure that out .
PCalc 1.0.2 is compatible with any iPhone or iPod touch running the iPhone 2.0 software system update .
[ Senior editor program Dan Frakes go over low - price software for the Mac Gems blog . ]
