Filed under: iPhone, App Store, iPod touch, App Review
WWDC Demo: Parranda for iPhone and iPod touch
The enthusiastic developers of Parranda were at WWDC to show off their app, a simple one-man-band party in your hand. Parranda (iTunes link) has a lot of polish, too, with instruments that aren't just one big button, like some "soundboard" music apps. The cowbell, for example, allows you to tap on different parts of the instrument, which any decent cowbell player will tell you, creates very different sounds. Mostly. You can zoom in or out on the instruments, something you will have to see in the video, but it is a nice effect and adds to the experience.
Parranda has pre-set rhythms to choose from, plus vocalizations to add a little spice to the performance. Already a hit in Puerto Rico, I think Parranda has a good shot everywhere, as it's a fun little app. Perhaps a bit more than you're used to paying at $2.99, but I think it's a fair price for the quality of the app.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Anthony said 5:29PM on 6-26-2009
I'm Puerto Rican - and 'parrandas' as VERY typical (and fun) during the holidays. This is probably going to be one of my favorite apps going forward. They really did an AMAZING job!
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heydavila said 5:32PM on 6-26-2009
It is so good to see your culture represented in technology. I may be $2.99 poorer as a result of this article, but my life is %100 fuller as a result of the app.
¡Azucar!
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Joe RIckerby said 5:55PM on 6-26-2009
I can see some Santana-inspired jams coming on....
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Ed F said 7:00PM on 6-26-2009
More like Jose Feliciano...but sure, through Santana in there too: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7NQlnFozzg
B Holiday said 7:04PM on 6-26-2009
That app looks horrible. The graphics are lame and you can barely hear the instruments. 3 thumbs down....way down.
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tane883 said 9:49PM on 6-26-2009
show me ur app. the one u made by yourself.
code apps for the iphone is really hard and i know that well...
the fact of pass by the filter of apple terms for submit an app si tough and they made it... im a graphic designer with good taste and the designs are not bad.
im proud of this app hector u have my money for this one. keep the good work and thnx for represent a place where apple doesnt show much interest.
QUE VIVA LA PARANDA!!!! POR QUE YOSOYAPPLE!!!
XD
Hector said 12:01AM on 6-27-2009
I am glad you love Parranda!
Demoing a music application while also talking about all of its features is a little tricky, so you might understand why the volume level was not turned all the way up - if we did that, you wouldn't be able to hear Pablo talking in the video!
This application has been a great addition to all of our parties, not only in groups of people who gather around and play different instruments - we also have connected it to sound systems where the sound is crystal clear, thanks to the original musical recordings that took place in Vaya Broqui's studio.
tane883 said 9:51PM on 6-26-2009
i forgot something..
6 thumbs up!!! :)
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Roberto Jose Pablo Gomez said 9:11AM on 6-28-2009
I was going to say it was an ok app, but it doesn't have the ability to display the PR flag so I can drive around town with it attached to my car antenna.
7 thumbs down.
Stevensnewest said 12:33PM on 6-28-2009
You got that right ;)
Labamba said 11:37PM on 6-26-2009
Is there an English version or option?
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Hector Ramos said 11:54PM on 6-26-2009
Hello Labamba,
The Parranda application uses Spanish for the instrument names and rhythm tracks, which should be no problem for English speakers. The vocalizations, though, are in Spanish. Feel free to shout out your own English phrases!
atsumares said 11:40PM on 6-26-2009
I have yet to acquire an iPhone, but when I do, the very first application I will purchase will be Vaya Broqui's Parranda. I think the team has made a significant splash in the exciting world of iPhone application development and I can't wait to see what they'll come up with in the future.
Kudos to the guys! (And kisses to Héctor!)
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Hector said 11:58PM on 6-26-2009
tane883, I'd like to give credit where credit is due - the application was developed by Pablo Lopez and Alfredo Richner! I am working with Vaya Broqui on other upcoming applications that should hit the App Store in the following weeks.
Victor, thanks for the great writeup, it was an exciting week in San Francisco and it was great meeting so many people from the Apple community.
atsumares, thanks for being so understanding and being there with me through all these tough months of iPhone development! Kisses :D
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drunknbass said 12:41PM on 6-27-2009
bleh.. its like moocow band but 100x less useful, and about equally as ugly :O
how these devs didnt pay to go to wwdc to promote this app :O
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iPhone freak said 9:32AM on 6-27-2009
If someone wants to pick dirty on nice phrases according to his personality and amaze friends and relatives in times when it is most needed, http://www.dirtymouthapp.com/ is the site he should go to.
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Stevensnewest said 12:29PM on 6-28-2009
As a Dominican, I'm definitely looking forward to trying out this application. I know my family will be highly impressed with this one.
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Stevensnewest said 12:31PM on 6-28-2009
One more thing I forgot to mention:
¡Wepaaaaaa!
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cArlos said 10:08AM on 6-29-2009
finally, a cow bell on my iphone. i can feel my fever subsiding.
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