Update: nsquared makewords on Windows 8. Perfect for the Surface Pro!

We have been working hard here in the nsquared studio to update our FREE educational app on the Windows 8 store - nsquared makewords. 

This educational game is aimed to help students (aged 3+) with object recognition, differentiation and to improve their recall and spelling. nsquared makewords has the ability to switch between a range of content packs, therefore allowing you to change and download new content as it is released.

Features 

- Multi Touch, Multi User (for up to 4 people)

- Drag tiles to spell different animals, objects, flags and more

- Competitive and co-operative learning against the clock

The update features the following:

- Fun music and sound effects

- Better, easier to use layout

- Great visual feedback for incorrect letters and words!

- Reshuffle the letters to make it easier to find the ones you're looking for 

- Use the bottom app bar to choose between vertical and table mode play

- Word order in each pack has been randomized for more replay-ability

- Completely revised and updated menu system

Please try nsquared makewords today for FREE - http://apps.microsoft.com/windows/en-au/app/nsquared-makewords/e182deac-77d6-4679-91a9-71ebfea82515  

Let's go to the zoo, A to Zoo

A to Zoo, our new iPad educational app has just launched in the app store.



Watch the video to see the app in action.



Here are some screen shots from the app.





We would love your feedback, so get it from the AppStore for your iPad and let us know what you think.

http://itunes.apple.com/app/a-to-zoo/id431166261?mt=8

The Value of Money

Today, it's probably fair to say that the real value of money and even the fiscal system itself is questionable at best. But getting into government policy isn't what we're about here. We just want to let you know that nsquared coin swap, our latest educational app for iPad, is up and running on the App store. coin swap is designed as a fun activity to enhance mathematical skills using coins.

Ready for one or two players, the nsquared coin swap game challenges players to use their knowledge of coin values and their mathematical skills to collect the greatest amount of money possible each game. Right now it includes activities with American, Australian, British, Canadian, European and Japanese coins, and we'll look forward to adding more. (I'm voting for Danish coins next, and if you've ever seen them and been to Denmark, you'd know why)

Enjoy it and let us know what you think!

iPads and education.

Has anyone noticed the rise in numbers of slates in schools and homes lately? It seems the numbers are rising in schools and that families are also big users. While all the slates aren't iPads, a good proportion of them are. It's probably safe to say that the iPad has brought awareness of the benefits of the slate form factor to the fore. I'm pretty sure we reported Dr. Neil's excitement at being in the US on the day iPad was released. That excitement has only grown for the rest of us and it isn't contained to iPad. We've always loved the slate form factor, and have explored the capabilities of the devices for a few years now. The potential benefits are massive, particularly in education. Lately we've been putting our time into creating a new range of apps for iPad and Windows 7 touch devices. Our first two are designed for one or two participants, and they're designed to familiarise children with letters and numbers. With their parents, older siblings, or friends, they can put words and sums together and talk about what they're doing and learning. Because we wanted to keep things simple, we've named them simply, too. nsquared letters and nsquared numbers are both available in the App Store now, and we're looking forward to seeing our other apps become available for people to learn from.

nsquared ntask for iPad

We are excited to announce that ntask has shipped in the Apple app store. We believe that ntask is the simplest and most gorgeous way for you to manage and organize your tasks. With ntask you can synchronize with your Microsoft Exchange tasks, or a Microsoft SharePoint task list. You can also use ntask as a standalone application.
Get it for your iPad now.

Locus for iPad and iPhone

We have been busy improving Locus for you to share your location with your friends and colleagues. Now available on both the iPhone and iPad, Locus will help you keep track of your buddies, as well as posting your location to Twitter and Facebook.
Get Locus for iPad.
Get Locus for iPhone.

nsync classic edition

Some of the most beautiful applications on the iPad have a very natural feel and texture to them.

Applications such as Calendar and Notes are really a pleasure to use. We have taken this concept and brought you a new version of nsync with a rich dark wooden look and three classic clock styles to choose from, nsync classic edition. Now available in the app store.

nsync is Live!

Dr. Neil got his iPad within hours of landing in New York last month. We knew he'd been looking forward to the moment for some time beforehand, but we didn't realise just how much.

True to his normal form he began experimenting and finding his way around the platform almost immediately: and then the coding started. Somehow, in between meetings in Redmond, London, Paris, and Amsterdam; Surface training; eating; and plane flights over the last 2-3 weeks, he put together our first iPad app "nsync" and submitted it to the App Store for approval.

When asked about his speedy and enthusiastic response to the new platform, Dr. Neil said "Well, it's massive that the iPad has no clock, alarm or work times functions, and it shocked me so much that I built my own!" He loves his new iPad and we're sure his MacBook Air is getting less and less attention these days. We also know that he, of all people, understands the challenges of constantly operating in different time zones. nsync is a great response to simplifying the challenges and we're looking forward to finding out how many other challenges we can solve or simplify for those around us. Cheers!

Do you glow?

We released the new version of Locus last week on the Apple AppStore.
This week we have released an extra online feature. You can now track where people are posting from Locus on a Silverlight map.
Can you see your glow?
Can you see the glow from your Locus friends?

Play SnapSnap!

Play a new working memory game featuring your own photographs! nsquared's SnapSnap for iPhone is now available.

Test and improve your memory with this fun application on the go. The game automatically mixes up photos already on your phone with a simple shake of the wrist. Try SnapSnap today from the App Store!

Sealing Their Lips

What's up with Apple?? So many articles out there about iPhone silencing Google Voice, a service that helps people manage their communication. The issue is even trending on Twitter!

While Apple obviously has every right to allow or disallow applications from their App Store, should they exploit that right so ridiculously? What does it say about them? The worst part is that they won't give a reason. This frustrating article published by Riverturn, the creators of the Google Voice VoiceCentral app for iPhone, highlights Apple's bad manners and mediocre public relations on the matter.

We've always made our support for Apple clear at nsquared. Though they initially rejected our Translation Station app, we were able to reason with them in the end. We sincerely wish good luck to the makers of Voice Central and GV Mobile, and to Google. And to Apple we say - unseal thy lips.

At nsquared we are prepared to build on any platform, not just Apple and iPhone. So if you want help producing an application without the danger of being silenced by Apple, we would love to help! Contact us!