Ocarina2
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Daily iPhone App: Ocarina 2 makes for more virtual tunes
I'll be honest -- since the first Ocarina app came out, I've become a fan of Smule, the company behind it. Its mix of creative energy and technical know-how is a great match for Apple and a good example of software made well. But I have never really been a fan of Ocarina the app, just because I think blowing into your iPhone is kind of silly. Ocarina 2 doesn't dissuade that notion. It's about the same app as the first one, though Smule has wisely applied all of its knowledge from the intervening years, including a sort of Magic Piano-style play mode, as well as the freemium "get some tunes free, pay for more" model from Smule's past few games. There is still a freestyle mode to play with, as well as a world mode that lets you hear what other users are playing from around the rest of the globe. Ocarina 2 is a smooth, well-packaged app, and if you loved the first version, you'll enjoy this update. The freemium features might turn some people off, but in general, Ocarina 2 is a good time for players of all ages. I just wish it wasn't quite so, you know, silly.
Ocarina 2 arrives on iOS
Smule has released Ocarina 2, a sequel to its immensely popular Ocarina app for iPhone. Like the original, the app allows you to blow into your iPhone's microphone to create a tone, which can be changed and adjusted depending on where you hold your fingers on the touchscreen. The new version brings features like a dynamic harmony, and the ability to choose songs to be played rather than just playing freestyle (which seems similar to the options in Smule's Magic Piano app, and means Smule is once again selling extra songs as an in-app purchase). And there's also a new "Whistle Mode," and achievements that make the whole thing a little more game-centric. The last Ocarina created plenty of really wild videos and cover tunes, and odds are this version will do exactly the same. Below, you can see a video of a beta tester playing the Tetris theme on the new app. If you want to start tooting away on your own, you can grab the app right now from the App Store for free.
