Rain Stick Reviewed

Rain Stick is one of the more popular iPod Touch and iPhone apps out there today. It features one purpose, simulating a rain stick. It does so using the accelerometer built in to the device to determine pitch allowing the program to play the sound effect of a rain stick being rotated on its vertical axis. There is a status bar on the side that indicates where the majority of the tiny pieces are located in the stick and when they gather on one end the sound comes to a trickling halt.

Here is where simple graphics make all the difference in the world. As you jostle your iPhone about and turn it upside down hoping for more of the soothing sound the background moves with you simulating an actual environment using the screen of the iphone as your eyes in to this tropical jungle. It isn’t pinpoint accurate with your motions but it is a surprisingly smooth addition to this very simple application.

In addition to the background, the name of the program so prominently displayed on the UI rotates with the device. This may not be the best aspect of the program but it does show the creator has a mind for branding. If you are looking over the shoulder of someone playing with Rain Stick you can’t miss the name of the program.