Filed under: iPod Family, iPhone, App Store
First Look: iZen Garden
The iPhone App Store offers several zen garden applications and today, I was able to play with one of them, iZen Garden [iTunes link], on my simulator. The program allows you to place stones onto a bed of sand and rake the sand around the stones. As the marketing materials suggest, it's basically a fidget toy. "iZen Garden is perfect for long meetings, train rides, or meditation practice. It helps you to center your mind, relax your psyche, and relieve your stress."
The interface is easy enough to use, with several rocks available and reset options for when your perfect garden gets too messy. At $4.99, it's a love it or leave it program. If rock placement and sand stroking isn't your thing, then iZen Garden probably isn't either. If it is, this is a simple visually appealing solution.
I found the program easy-to-use and modestly fun. I have limited artistic skills and my raked gardens always looked messy. Your mileage will almost certainly vary.
iZen Garden works on both iPhone and iPod touch.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
spofforth said 5:22PM on 7-15-2008
The App store offers several zen garden applications? Several?!
I thought this was a stupid idea that completely missed the point of zen gardens in the first place, but it's pretty clear I'm wrong because it seems that there are multiple companies betting otherwise.
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homagetogorto said 5:57PM on 7-15-2008
One per Sudoku app.
Rick said 5:26PM on 7-15-2008
How do you get iTunes apps onto your iPhone simulator?
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Martin said 6:27PM on 7-15-2008
yes, PLEASE tell us, i thought that was impossible !
i thought the simulator was all Intel Code, and that XCode was simply generating Intel Code as well.
Mark said 5:26PM on 7-15-2008
How the heck do you run iphone apps form the store in the simulator? I've tried but can't figure out if it is even possible. Please share the knowledge!
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CaptSaltyJack said 5:27PM on 7-15-2008
No. Just... no. Utterly ridiculous and a waste of money.
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(01) said 9:31PM on 7-15-2008
Especialy since she opted to try out the $4.99 one...I mean, its bad enough having a technological zen garden, but to CHARGE for it? Completely missing (and exploiting) the whole idea.
JohnPQ said 5:31PM on 7-15-2008
YASASA
Yet another stupid App Store app...
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Rick said 5:34PM on 7-15-2008
I'm not Buddhist, so forgive my ignorance, but what's the significance of a Zen garden? Is that purpose at all hindered by being simulated on a cell phone?
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Snowman said 5:41PM on 7-15-2008
Pathetic, just pathetic.....a complete and total waste of money.
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obtusegoose said 5:47PM on 7-15-2008
The rocks should cast shadows and leave an impression in the sand when you move them. Aside from that, it looks like a dollar app at best.
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Jack Montana said 6:12PM on 7-15-2008
With Apple being so selective about letting developers into the App Store program, I had high hopes for the apps. While a handful are really great, I was shocked to see the absolute drivel that was available. I stopped counting at 5 "flashlight" applications. A "hold down the button game"? Mosquito swatter? Are you f-cking kidding me? I shudder to think of the developers that didn't make the cut
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ekinnee said 6:23PM on 7-15-2008
So it is plainly obvious that there were a few hand picked developers let in and the rest were maybe picked at random or was first come first serve until they hit the 4,000.
kev orng said 6:34PM on 7-15-2008
you'd probably appreciate "Stapler".
Jack said 6:25PM on 7-15-2008
Please tell how you get apps on the simulator!
I would love to know! thanks!
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Kyle said 7:18PM on 7-15-2008
Have the programmer send you the xcode project for the application then compile it. There is NO way to run an itunes downloaded app in the emulator. You need the original code.
Joseph Merlino said 7:09PM on 7-15-2008
Well goodness. I don't know how you can possibly concern yourself with zen gardens when there is a crucial need for a tip calculator! Please! Somebody write a tip calculator! I can't seem to find one anywhere!
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Stephen said 8:22PM on 7-15-2008
http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=284974421&mt=8
Stephen said 8:25PM on 7-15-2008
... or just type "Tip Calculator" in the search field. Several Apps come up.
Joseph Merlino said 12:07AM on 7-16-2008
That whooshing sound you hear is sarcasm flying right over your head.