Star Trek Original Series Communicator – Review
By App Type: Uncategorized
Our rating: 
By: CBS Mobile
Version #: 1.0
Date Released: 2010-07-18
Developer: CBS Mobile
Price: 1.99
User Rating:
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It’s still "Geek Week" here at WOiP in celebration of the San Diego Comic Con. Have you ever been torn between owning an iPhone or a Star Trek Communicator from the original series? Well now with a single app you can have both.
This app is actually officially licensed, so it includes sounds from the original series. It also has a legitimate phone function, but if you only have an iPod touch, then the Communicator simply makes more sounds and is more a novelty than anything. Truthfully, all the phone function does is launch the phone app in the iPhone, so you’re not missing much.
It’s a pretty decent replica in terms of look. It even makes that clicky sound when you "flip" open the cover (it also flips open with a swipe of your finger). Once open, it makes sounds from the series including a few quotes from everyone’s favorite starship captain (the original William Shatner, not Chris Pine) as well as Spock and McCoy. There are two buttons along the bottom to make the app generate random Star Trek sounds.
The center speaker is even this neat swirly effect that could possibly hurt your eyes if you look at it for too long. My only real complaint about the app is a fairly significant one. Why can’t the phone function simply automatically operate the speaker rather than launch the phone app? You lose the fantasy when the Communicator has to close.
This app is really for the rabid Star Trek fan. It was even discounted to $2 (from $3) recently to try to reel in some casual Star Trek fans. Most Trekkies are also techies.
In short, this app boldly goes where no app has gone before. Pick it up.
UPDATE 2/4/2011: As if there weren’t enough reason to pick this app up, the creators have now added additional sound effects and quotes from the television show. They’ve also lowered the price to $.99 for a limited time. Why do you not yet have it?
Quick Take
Value:High.
Would I Buy Again:Most likely.
Learning Curve:Low.
Who Is It For:Trekkies and techies.
What I Like:Good simulation of the communicator from the old series.
What I Don't Like:Why can't it use the phone without leaving the Communicator app?
Final Statement:It goes where no app has gone before.
The official Star Trek Communicator not only turns your iPhone into a Communicator replica, but it’s fully functional too! Access your contacts and call all your friends from your communicator.
Features:
•? Official sound and voice effects from Star Trek the Original Series
•? A paging function that allows for interactive role playing
•? A full dialer page that allows access to your personal contacts - and you can communicate with your friends through your Star Trek Communicator
•? Animated antenna grid that flips up with the flick of your wrist or swipe of your finger
•? Authentic visual features and textures of the actual Starfleet communicator
O U R T A K E ...
