For all intents and purpose Tom Hanks is not just an Oscar winning actor, he’s quite the savvy app developer as well. Hanks’ new app, Hanx Writer, has just reached the number one spot on the iTunes store. The app brings users back to a simpler time when LED computer screens were replaced with paper and keys pressed with force to leave a lasting impression. The app, if you haven’t picked up on it, is a typewriter.
Ranked number one in the productivity section as well as overall, the simple app creates the same feeling (well not really) as using an actual typewriter. It chimes and clunks, and even makes that classic return noise that everyone loves.
Of course like the man he is, Tom Hanks is not charging a dime for the app. He could charge for it despite the fact that it really is just a glorified note pad. People would still buy it. It’s just that good. The upgrades however, aren’t free. Users can upgrade their keyboards to the Hanx 707 and the Hanx Golden Touch for $2.99.
Hanks knows he’s not the only one who gets all nostalgic over typewriters. In a recent interview with the App Stores Twitter account he explained, as reported by TechCrunch,
“I wanted to have the sensation of an old manual typewriter – I wanted the sound of typing if nothing else…cause I find it’s like music that spurs along the creative urge. Bang bang clack-clack-clack puckapuckapuckapucka… I wanted the ‘report’ of each letter, each line.”
Apparently he was so detailed during the apps development he made sure that each typewriter carried a unique sound. The Prime Select he divulged, makes a heavy banging noise. The Hanx 707 on the other hand makes a much lighter noise. Either way it seems there’s a typewriter to suite everyone’s typing preference.
Featured image via Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times
