Filed under: iPhone, App Store, App Review
Metal Detector solves some problems you don't have
Every so often I get the idea I'm living in some kind of parallel universe where iPhone apps are created that look great but just don't do anything of value.Such an app is Metal Detector [App Store] that for US$0.99 cents purports to detect metal around you. It requires an iPhone 3GS because it uses the built in magnetometer (compass) to work.
Well, it did discover my bird cage, but I could see that anyway. It reacted to a stop sign, and a fire hydrant when I was on my morning run. "Look Mom, the funny man from across the street is messing with the fire hydrant. Call the cops!"
It didn't work on coins at all, wrong kind of metal, so any visions you had of crawling along the beach looking for treasure is out the window. It works on ferromagnetic metals only, like iron and steel.
The app did not cut off my iPod music when I started it up, but as soon as it beeped with finding something metal the audio shut down. Appropriately, I was listening to the Alan Hovhaness Symphony for Metal Instruments, but I guess most Heavy Metal bands would work too.
The Three Stooges used to have a routine where they talked about inventing a pen that wrote under whipped cream, and this seems like a similar fetish. It does work, but so what? What do I do with it? You have to be really close to the item for the alert to go off, and if I'm that close, I don't need a metal detector. I tried it on in wall wiring, but no dice there, so I'm straining to find some utility for this thing.
The developers say this is a novelty item, but I think most of my friends would say I'm stupid, rather than entertaining. If you must satisfy your lust for searching for visible metal, I'd suggest you take a look at Metal Detector Pro [App Store], which does the same thing with a different interface but it's free.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Unknown said 2:03PM on 7-08-2009
"I think most of my friends would say I'm stupid, rather than entertaining"
Gee, you've got some harsh friends...
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Sm said 2:28PM on 7-09-2009
Try magnetism in The iTunes store that works Well
Aaron Weissman said 2:39PM on 7-08-2009
I used to work in a scrap yard. First thing you issue a new scrapyard employee is a magnet; ferrous metals and non-ferrous metals have very different prices and the often the only way to tell when dealing with painted metal is to check with a magnet. Of course, which is better in a scrapyard, a fragile $300 iPhone or indestructible 30¢ magnet?
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sax said 2:56PM on 7-08-2009
if they called this app "stud finder" instead of lame "metal detector", all would be well. being able to detect a nail in a stud under drywall is pretty much the only applicable use.
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David Veksler said 2:57PM on 7-08-2009
> which is better in a scrapyard, a fragile $300 iPhone or indestructible 30¢ magnet?
You gotta admit, scanning unknown substances with an iPhone is a lot more Star Trek-like.
"Analysis complete. It's got a magnetic field, Jim."
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homagetogorto said 3:45PM on 7-08-2009
Combine this with a fart app and you'd be on to something.
"Too much iron in your diet!"
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Fred said 3:48PM on 7-08-2009
www.instantrimshot.com
Hal said 3:49PM on 7-08-2009
I wonder if it will help me find my keys. I lost them on a hike and have never found them. If it would help, it would be worth more than .99 to me.
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Florian said 7:31PM on 7-08-2009
Dear TUAW.
I am very disappointed: You have been my favorite blog for a long time. I have written numerous emails giving you opportunities to review and even exclusively preview my app(s), which have been in development for years. You have never even had the courtesy to reply to my emails, which adhered strictly to your app-review request guidelines. Now, I see you reviewing apps such as this one, with very limited practical as well as entertainment purposes. Please, understand that I am not criticizing the developer of this app, specifically. Although this is a good idea for a $0.99 app, I have not personally purchased it and hence refrain from criticizing anyone but you, TUAW. Also, I do not ask for pity, rather than clarification. Your policy on reviewing iPhone apps seems shady.
Sincerely,
Florian
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FlapMapper said 6:17PM on 10-21-2009
I actually agree with you. This has become ridiculous....
AdventTech67 said 7:43PM on 7-10-2009
That was spectacular. You really had me rolling for awhile. Good laugh though. Thanks,,,
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Dan said 12:55AM on 7-09-2009
Seems to turn the iPhone into a modern day divining (aka dowsing or witching) rod. :-)
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Marcello said 2:50AM on 7-09-2009
well... IF it works it could be useful to detect tubings in a wall before drilling or nail hammering...
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Lon Varscsak said 9:51AM on 7-09-2009
If it had a built in flashlight, it would totally be worth .99. :P
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Josue Roberto said 11:32AM on 7-09-2009
a person in the jewelry bussines could use this app to detect if a ring, earings or even a neckleace is made from the material it is claim to be made of, and not from really expensive plastic...
One could imagine...
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ronman said 5:59PM on 7-09-2009
In woodworking, finding metal, usually nails, in reclaimed lumber is a pretty big deal. Nails ruin your tools.
If this app could handle that task, it just might be an interesting thing to download
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Champ said 12:10PM on 7-10-2009
Another practical use (not involving a scrapyard or workshop) could be for determining if there is a staple or paper clip in a stack of paper before sending it through a sheet-fed scanner/fax.
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