lefei
22nd March 2004, 11:43 AM
Introduction
</FONT>Lately, there has been a piece of software which shook the Palm as well as the magician community, the PickaPalm 1.6, which claims to be the world’s first piece of magic for the Palm Handheld. Being an amateur magician as well as an avid Palmer myself, I was of course excited about this product and sent for one immediately.
PickaPalm, as this software is named, was created by a Switzerland based company known as Hottrix. When I visited their website, I found out that this company not only wrote Palm software but also specialized in making professional props for magicians.
PickaPalm 1.6 startup screen
InterfaceYou can download the shareware version of PickaPalm at Palmgear but it will not reveal how the trick is done. Only after registering do you get to know the whole routine. The interface is simple, the program starts with 3 cards faced down. Tapping on a particular card turns that card over. When you have mastered the routine by reading the "secret" instructions, you will be able to predict what card the spectator has chosen. And as promised by its developers, there are no secret routines for you to memorize, no sound cues, no secret buttons or timers. You do not even have to touch or look at the device. There is also an auto shuffle feature which automatically shuffles the cards so that you get a different card every time. The trick can be repeated to the same person without them finding out the secret.
The three cards faced down
Tap a card to turn it over and reveal its suit
ConclusionPickaPalm 1.6 is indeed a refreshing piece of Palm software which incorporates the aspect of a magic trick. Technical support from the company, Hottrix, is exceptional and every email of mine was answered promptly. What I really liked about the package was that it came with a 15 pages illustrated instruction manual in PDF. Besides, PickaPalm would be great as an icebreaker at meetings and parties. However, the steep price (US$19.95) for a magic trick would really put some people off.
What I would like to see in future versionsThe developer should incorporate more magic tricks into that PickaPalm so that it would not be limited to card guessing. Other than that, I think it is an excellent piece of software.
What I like about the software
Exceptional technical support via email
Free updates for 1 year
Refreshing idea
Clever and well thought-out secret
What I dislike about the software
Steep price (US$19.95)
Only 1 magic trick
Price: US$19.95
Availability:
Shareware version available from Palmgear (secret not revealed)
Commercial version available from the Hottrix (http://www.hottrix.com/) website
Rating:
Review by Yeo Feng (yeofeng@magix.com.sg)
29 November, 2000
</FONT>Lately, there has been a piece of software which shook the Palm as well as the magician community, the PickaPalm 1.6, which claims to be the world’s first piece of magic for the Palm Handheld. Being an amateur magician as well as an avid Palmer myself, I was of course excited about this product and sent for one immediately.
PickaPalm, as this software is named, was created by a Switzerland based company known as Hottrix. When I visited their website, I found out that this company not only wrote Palm software but also specialized in making professional props for magicians.
PickaPalm 1.6 startup screen
InterfaceYou can download the shareware version of PickaPalm at Palmgear but it will not reveal how the trick is done. Only after registering do you get to know the whole routine. The interface is simple, the program starts with 3 cards faced down. Tapping on a particular card turns that card over. When you have mastered the routine by reading the "secret" instructions, you will be able to predict what card the spectator has chosen. And as promised by its developers, there are no secret routines for you to memorize, no sound cues, no secret buttons or timers. You do not even have to touch or look at the device. There is also an auto shuffle feature which automatically shuffles the cards so that you get a different card every time. The trick can be repeated to the same person without them finding out the secret.
The three cards faced down
Tap a card to turn it over and reveal its suit
ConclusionPickaPalm 1.6 is indeed a refreshing piece of Palm software which incorporates the aspect of a magic trick. Technical support from the company, Hottrix, is exceptional and every email of mine was answered promptly. What I really liked about the package was that it came with a 15 pages illustrated instruction manual in PDF. Besides, PickaPalm would be great as an icebreaker at meetings and parties. However, the steep price (US$19.95) for a magic trick would really put some people off.
What I would like to see in future versionsThe developer should incorporate more magic tricks into that PickaPalm so that it would not be limited to card guessing. Other than that, I think it is an excellent piece of software.
What I like about the software
Exceptional technical support via email
Free updates for 1 year
Refreshing idea
Clever and well thought-out secret
What I dislike about the software
Steep price (US$19.95)
Only 1 magic trick
Price: US$19.95
Availability:
Shareware version available from Palmgear (secret not revealed)
Commercial version available from the Hottrix (http://www.hottrix.com/) website
Rating:
Review by Yeo Feng (yeofeng@magix.com.sg)
29 November, 2000