Heads or Tails?

Everyday we make decisions. Some good. Some bad. Then, there are times we just let chance decide for ourselves. Others ask for a sign from the heavens. Or they do it the old fashioned way – flip a coin. Is it heads or tails? Now, the same concept can be done the hi-tech way. Introducing the Coin Toss application from OffScreen.

The Application

The concept of the application is very simple. The traditional flip a coin is brought to the Nokia 5800 XpressMusic phone. No coins required. The application does that for you.

Upon launching the application, you are greeted with a wonderfully crafted gold coin placed in a partly lit background.

At the upper left corner, you will see a big “I” which will pop the “About Us” window. At the upper right corner, you will see a big “X” which obviously ends the application.

How to use it?

There are two ways to flip the coin.

The first one is the most obvious way. Take your thumb and flick the screen. The application will respond and the coin will flip in the air. Now, you are not just limited with your thumb. You can use any finger or the stylus that comes with the phone.

The second way to do it is to jolt your phone upward. The Nokia 5800 phone’s accelerometer will detect the motion thus activating the flipping feature of the application. This makes it as if you are flipping a coin.

What do I think?

The Coin Toss may be a simple application. But I am looking more on how this application was beautifully crafted. The look of the graphics is very realistic and the use of the light and shadows give the screen depth. When the coin is tossed in the air, you can see its reflection. And it’s not just a static reflection but the moving flipping reflection of the coin. Also, there is the shadow element of the coin. (which also has the flipping motion).

Did you choose "heads"?

For such as small application, the animation is truly admirable. Very fluid. It just gives us a glimpse on how we can truly use the graphics technology of the Nokia 5800 XpressMusic phone.

I love that the Coin Toss application uses the accelerometer. That gives it more authenticity as a “Coin flip” application. I tested jerking the phone sideways and it will not activate the flipping action. You really have to flip it upward just like what you would do with the coin. And we are advising you to wear the strap around your wrist. We only want to flip the coin and not the Nokia 5800 phone.

To improve this application, I would find a way to include sound in it. I know it is not much but it could help enhance the application.

The Verdict

Let me recommend this lightweight and simple application to you. You might find some good use for it somehow. But I appreciate the fluidity of the animation and how it was use extensively. Bravo to the creators of this application.

The Coin Toss application can be downloaded for FREE at the Ovi Store. Just register to access the site. You can also download this application straight to your Nokia 5800 XpressMusic phone by installing the Ovi Store Application.

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