Tech Cast Now

"ZenTap The fastest way to write on the iPhone. ZenTap is an advanced text editor for the iPhone."

This is a very neat little program. The developer provided a copy for inclusion in our upcoming text editor and word processor review. After using it for a short time I found it very fast and handy for entering plain text. The text prediction, spell checker, and customizable buttons make typing very fast and accurate. It only works in the landscape mode with the wide keyboard which is really best for typing text. Text entered in the app can be saved as a template and recalled to get a jump start on your next similar message. A single tap will copy the text to allow you to paste it into another app, The easy to access export lets you send the text to an SMS, e-mail, Google, or Twitter. I'm not sure I understand the icon for the web link to Google.

 

A built in translator function uses Google's translation service to quickly translate the text between languages. I don't speak or read any alternate languages so I can't say how accurate this is, but the interface was clean and simple. The app supports english and spanish for the type ahead and spelling.

 

No real built-in help, but except for a couple minutes familiarize yourself with the icons not much is needed. It would be nice to have a brief explanation of the icons.

 

If you Twitter, SMS or email a lot you should take a look at this neat little app. Great Job!

Clean Installation Did the app install easily and cleanly? (assigned weight-5)

10

Easy Configuration Was initial configuration simple and easy to understand? (assigned weight-5)

10

Configuration Options Does app offer configuration options to allow customization? (assigned weight-5)

10

Learning Curve Is app easy to lean and use? (assigned weight-5)

9

Support Website Does the developer offer a comprehensive support site? (assigned weight-4)

10

Feature Set - Does the app have a full feature set for the purpose? (assigned weight-5)

10

Help - Does app have built in help that is really helpful? (Direct access in app, access via web, or none. (assigned weight-5)

5

Bugs - Does the app work as expected, without bugs (assigned weight-5)

10

Load Time - Does the app load quickly? ( ready to use in less than 10 seconds on 3GS) (assigned weight-3)

10

Controls Does app offer adequate controls for purpose? (assigned weight-5)

10

Regular Updates Does vendor appear to keep app up-to-date (updated or released in last 6 months=10,-1 per month after 6 unless reason update is not required)? (assigned weight-3)

10

Alternative Languages Does the app support alternate languages? (assigned weight-2)

9

Intuitive Interface Is the interface intuitive (icons, menus, and directional symbols) for average users and does it adhere to good iPhone design principles? (assigned weight-5)

9

Screen Layouts Are screen layouts logical and well-designed? (assigned weight-5)

10

Navigation Is the app navigation logical and easy to use? (assigned weight-4)

10

Readability Legible text and print size that is appropriate for the intended audience. Are fonts and interface elements easy to see and read? (assigned weight-5)

10

Recovery from Incoming Call Does the app recover after being interrupted by an incoming call or message? (to test interrupt app during operation ) (assigned weight-5)

10

Restart/Pause/Shutdown If applicable, does the app allow user to pause or shutdown and restart at a meaningful and logical point after previous use? If game, does it restart to place in level, or can you pause before closing app. (to test close and reopen app to see if it restarts to a meaningful point) (assigned weight-5)

10

Graphics Quality Are the graphics of good quality and resolution; do images load within reasonable timeframe? (assigned weight-5)

9

Graphics Usefulness Are the graphics meaningful and useful? (assigned weight-5)

10

Word Processor - Creating new document/text file Is it easy to create and save a new file? (assigned weight-5)

10

Word Processor - Type ahead Does the app support iPhone (or other) type ahead? (assigned weight-5)

10