Currencies – the app that Apple forgot when they built the iPhone.
Err, what is so great about a little currency converter? Well, for a start, Currencies does its job fast and simple. Start the app, select the currencies that you want converted and type away on the keypad. Results are presented in real-time as you type in the value that you want to be converted. You could also drag the numbers pane to reverse convert the results – and at the same time admire the under-pinnings of the application.
Currencies is so simple that there are no need for any other useless buttons. You’d probably see a Done button under the hood, but there’s no place for an OK button anywhere else within the app. Also, refreshing the currency rates is as simple as a shake of your iPhone!
Speaking of refreshing the currency rates, you could set the app to refresh its data on every launch, at certain hourly intervals or by shaking the device. Regardless of which interval you choose, the app will always refresh its data when you shake the device.
Comparing Currencies to the hidden currency converter feature mentioned earlier, I find this design very thoughtful, especially for travellers. You’ll save more on data charges by refreshing data before you board your flight, or when you are connected to a wireless access point.
Currencies come built-in with support for up to 78 different currencies of the world. More could be added thru software updates. Also, if you need to convert a large amount of money, say, for example, if you are bringing a truck-load of money across the border, the app does so with no sweat. You can enter a very large value. I managed to enter a 39-digit value for US dollars, before the resulting UK pounds shows an infinite value.
Looks-wise, Currencies have one of the best looking UIs I’ve seen so far on an iPhone app. The app took a lot of design hints from Apple. At first glance, you might assume that this app was designed by Apple themselves. Like said earlier, this seems to be the application that Apple forgot to built into the iPhone – functional and looks-wise.
At only $0.99 a copy, Currencies is definitely a must-have application if you are constantly checking on currency conversion rates. I am definitely keeping my copy and grouping it together with the other built-in apps on my iPod touch.
Rating: 4.5/5.0 Taps
App Data
App Name: Currencies v1.0 | Developer: Edovia Inc. | Purchase via: iTunes App Store @ $0.99 | Released: Apr 22, 2009 | Reviewed on: iPod touch v2.2.1
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