Star Trek PADD – Review
By App Type: Uncategorized
Our rating: 
By: CBS Interactive
Version #: 1.0.0
Date Released: 2011-07-11
Developer:
Price: 4.99
User Rating:
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After my favorable review of the DiagnosticPADD app and CBS’ subsequent pulling of the app, you’d think that the people at Paramount would get smart and release some sort of official equivalent. Instead, they release yet another Star Trek app with the LCARS interface that probably tells the people that buy it stuff they already know.
The Star Trek PADD app is slick and works well for what it does. Using the LCARS interface, you can research the entire Star Trek universe (both the "Prime" universe and the recent reboot).
Sadly, the LCARS interface, while cool-looking, is not as intuitive as one would prefer. One cannot sort or filter data so a lot of scrolling is involved. The app doesn’t even display in the portrait mode.
There are some cool aspects. All of the data is local (including authentic Star Trek: The Next Generation sounds and the voice of the dear, departed Majel Barrett) so you don’t need an Internet connection to use it. The database is continuously updated so if some piece of Trek trivia is missing, just wait for the next version. If an Internet connection is present, you can read the Star Trek Facebook and Twitter feeds. Plus, if you leave the app alone it has a diagnostic screen that shows the NCC 1701-D and a warp core.
In the end, if you’re a Trek fan there isn’t any new here and if you’re not a Trek fan you wouldn’t buy the app anyway. While the interface is cool, CBS/Paramount needs to offer more than just a multimedia database to attract buyers like episode clips (or even full episodes) or a legitimate iPad diagnostic tool.
Quick Take
Value:Low to medium.
Would I Buy Again:Not likely.
Learning Curve:Medium.
Who Is It For:Star Trek fanatics. That's really it.
What I Like:Cute interface. Data kept on device. Screensavers.
What I Don't Like:No portrait mode. Really doesn't do anything outside of Trek trivia.
Final Statement:Scotty, beam me up. This app is a pass.
The PADD provides access to the official Star TrekTM database from StarTrek.com of aliens, ships, places, technologies, and episode guide. The app includes a true reproduction of LCARS, the computer interface commonly used in Starfleet and the United Federation of Planets during the 24th century, and includes familiar computer sound effects and voice, making it enjoyable to everyone.
Features of the Star TrekTM PADD app include:
-Browse or search through official database of Star Trek television series information, including aliens, ships, places, technologies, and episode guide
-Rich, immersive LCARS graphical interface, introduced in Star Trek: The Next GenerationTM television series
-Authentic computer sound effects and voice
-Jump to related information through cross-links to other content
-Read the latest news from the Star TrekTM Facebook page and Star Trek Twitter feed
-Enjoy two self-running diagnostic modes with an overview schematic of the U.S.S. EnterpriseTM NCC-1701-D
The official Star Trek PADD app database does not include all information within the Star Trek Universe. We will continue to update the database as information becomes available.
This is the official Star TrekTM app produced for CBS by ArcTouch.
