RotationRuler – Review
By App Type: Uncategorized
Our rating: 
By: ClickConnect GmbH
Version #: 1.0
Date Released: 2011-03-24
Developer:
Price: 0.99
User Rating:
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The iPhone’s touch screen may be the most striking component of the iPhone, what with its occupying nearly all of the device’s front real estate, but its inconspicuous ability to detect even the subtlest changes in the device’s orientation by means of its tilt sensors is a more astounding feature. This accelerometer-aided property of the iPhone enables developers to create apps whose concept may otherwise be stunted if their only means is the iPhone’s screen and its support for multi-touch gestures.
Most notably, the iPhone’s tilt sensors have paved the way for groundbreaking handheld gameplay. On a less prominent domain, it has enabled apps to provide alternative solutions to common problems.
One such app is RotationRuler. Not surprisingly, it’s an app that takes on the role of a trusty ruler and that involves rotation to perform its task.
To use it in measuring an object (say, a bookshelf or just a book) as its meant to be used as suggested by its name, position any of your iPhone’s four sides flat on the surface you want to measure, press “Start” on the screen, and roll your iPhone until you reach the end of the track you’re measuring. In the very likely event that the track in question is shorter than multiples of your iPhone’s perimeter, that is, if you’ve reached the end of the track but you can no longer roll the iPhone flat on one side without exceeding the actual measurement, all you have to do is to halt at the moment when the right edge of the iPhone is positioned perpendicular to the measuring track’s endpoint.
When you’re done, press “Stop” and the final measurement is displayed. Note that measurement results are displayed in real time, so you know how far along you are on the track as you roll — or slide.
Sliding is another method available in measuring objects using the app. It’s not called SlideRuler, but the app offers the ability to override the rotation method and measure things by sliding the iPhone instead. In this scenario, one side of the iPhone screen is retrofitted with a ruler’s graduations, and it’s this side that you must place facing the starting point of your measuring track. Press “Start,” place your finger on the screen and pull your iPhone along the track. Repeat this step until you’ve covered the entire track, then press “Stop.”
Both methods, the eponymous one especially, sound complicated on paper, but they’re actually quite easy to carry out. The app is also equipped with an archive, so you can store results by tapping the paperclip icon each item a measurement is made and assigning easy-to-remember names to them; tapping the trash icon resets the measurement displayed.
The ability to toggle between centimeter and inch for the app’s measurement unit is accessible from the Settings section, along with the selection of either rotation or slide for the measurement method.
Either way, you’ll be up to the task of measuring items of interest when a traditional, tangible ruler is nowhere in sight.
Quick Take
Value:High.
Would I Buy Again:Probably.
Learning Curve:Low. You have everything you need to know to properly operate the app in the Help section.
Who Is It For:People who frequently find themselves in need of a linear measuring instrument when out and about.
What I Like:The cheerful and clean interface.
What I Don't Like:A few, occasional bumps on the road, so to speak, such as accidentally pressing the sleep button when the device is rolled onto its top side when measuring by rotation.
Final Statement:RotationRuler takes the amazing accelerometer-assisted magic of the iPhone and rolls away with it -- on a measuring track.
Easily measure any distances, similar to a normal ruler or tape measure.
Do you know this: You have to quickly measure something, e.g. if the new Ikea dresser fits into the gap next to the bed or how many inch the new TV really has? And you do not have a ruler or a tape measure available.
Then you will like the RotationRuler.
Use the RotationRuler to measure an object (e.g. furniture) or a range by “rolling” along the measuring distance. The measurement result is shown continuously during the measurement and can be stored to be retrieved later.
Features:
- 2 different measurement methods (rotary and pull) to choose from
- Measurement from any position and on any ground also on slants and angles
- Results of a measurement can be stored and retrieved later
- Measurement in cm (metric) and inches possible
The RotationRuler is similar useful, like the popular level tool or the flashlight function and an essential tool to make full use of the iPhone and iPod Touch technology.
