Appletell | Apple, Mac, iPhone, iPod | News, Rumors, Reviews, How-Tos

Category:Sports
Developer: Handstorm
Requirements: iPhone 2.2 software
Compatibility: iPhone and iPod Touch
File Size: 0.6 MB
Version Reviewed: 1.0.1
Price: $9.99

First off, I want to echo what Handstorm states in the application: do not street race! If you want to go fast as much as I do, then do it at a track where there are safety crews standing by in case something goes sideways on you. I love to run the quarter mile on my Harley just as much as anyone, but I only do it at the track under controlled and supervised conditions. That said, if you do like to race and have an iPhone or an iPod touch, I definitely recommend this application…although my first impression of the application was actually pretty bad. Let me explain.

There are a wide variety of vehicles pre-loaded with the application. If your vehicle is not in the list, you would need to be an engineer on a Nascar Sprint Cup team (go Dale Jr.) to get all the data you need. Seriously, do you know the drag coefficient of your car? Or how about the frontal area in square inches? If you’re serious about the accuracy of your horsepower and torque readings that you get from the application, and not looking for a “ballpark” figure, you can do some work and get all the need information precise. It would take some research though.

Once you get all that information in place, you have to calibrate your iPhone or iPod Touch by putting in several positions and letting the device know what position it is in. Once that is done simply hit go, and you guessed it, slam on the go pedal and tap the screen when you hit a quarter mile. If you time it right (I had someone else in the car with me to do it) your result will be an accurate horsepower and torque band reading from your run. Pretty sweet, if you ask me. I do have one more complaint though. There are no motorcycle options. In order for me to be able to use it with my Harley, I would need a wind tunnel and 12 years of education at MIT because I am just not that smart.

Bottom line here is if you have four wheels and are lucky enough to have your vehicle pre loaded, all you have to do is calibrate and go. This application is really really cool if you are lucky enough to not have to configure it yourself. I would like to see support for the two wheel variety, but this is nonetheless an excellent application for gear heads like me. Good job, Handstrom. I do think $9.99 is steep, but think about the complex algebra that is involved with this thing…