Why StackCalc, The Visual Touch iPhone Calculator?

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I have believed for several years that we are experiencing a fundamental change in how computers integrate into our lives. It seems pretty obvious now with the number of people using smart phones, and growing ecosystem of online services. But I believe that we are just at the tip.

Right now most people use there smart phones for entertainment and social media. Only real fanboys are using their mobile devices as productivity devices.

I see some real progress happening. For example, the wonderful Drafts through using URL actions integrates into workflows. But largely we are stuck doing incremental changes. There multiple factors holding us back. The most subtle is the need to create something that is recognizable in 10 seconds.

You see this debate mainly around an application's design. Skeumorphic design is the latest on-going debate. I view skeumorphism as a designers striking a balance between the end-user picking up on how to use an application, by making it recognizable, versus doing something new. Usually we see a mix of something that has been done with a mix of small incremental changes to help productivity.

Now I see people using smart phones and I wonder what would a todo list look like if they started on a phone as opposed to a daily planner. How about a calendar? The one thing that sticks out to me is the calculator.

I would not have gotten through school without my HP-41C calculator. This was an awesome calculator for its time. I look at the iPhone now with it's large display, touch interface, and advanced CPU and wonder why the calculator is emulating the primitive desktop calculator.

For me the number one frustration with using a desktop calculator is that you have to enter in things multiple times to know if you have the correct answer. That is why I choose to do StackCalc.

StackCalc uses the iPhone's display and touch interface to make for a more reliable experience. That being said, it is something that cannot be easily conveyed using marketing slogans. Check out the video and make your own determination whether StackCalc can or cannot help you.

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