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Pocket Planets – Our solar system, pocket-sized!
Tested version: 1.0.0
Latest version: 1.0.4
Requires Android: from 2.2
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Summary
Just recently, the Perseids meteor shower graced the skies with thousands of shooting stars, but because of the light pollution to be found in all cities, night skies are not as spectacular as they are when viewed from a more rural setting. If you are like me, anything that has to do with astronomy will be right up your alley. This doesn't necessarily mean, however, that you can just up and leave whenever something eventful is taking place in in the great wide yonder. This is exactly where fun little applications such as Pocket Planets comes in: an app that brings you our entire solar system to check out, take a closer look at and learn about, and the best thing is that it fits right in your back pocket.
Features & Use
Section rating:
Test device: Samsung Galaxy S3
Android version: 4.0.4
Root: Yes
Modificatiosn: None
For first tome Pocket Planets users there's a brief intro as to how controls can be used. If you want to give the instructions a miss it's no biggie, as controls should prove to be intuitive for most users.
The first view is that of the Earth. Infos regarding the camera distance to the object (i.e. Earth) can be found in the bottom left corner, as can other facts such as the current date and time.
Use pinch to zoom to look at things more closely or zoom out, and use your fingertip to move the view around. Double taps are also available and fix the camera on a given object.
Jump to objects via the menu, be it planets, moons, the sun, asteroids, peripheral planets and other celestial bodies. The visual camera journey is quite lovely, so enjoy the ride.
The standard settings for the camera are that it follows in relation to the current object, but you can change this in the seetings so that it moves around space freely.
Check out the encyclopedia entries to find out lots of details regarding an object, which are listed alphabetically. Read up on radius, mass, orbits, rotation and other facts. There's also a fun “Di you know?” type section.
You can change the view slightly, altering which information is to be displayed, as well as modify the effects and lighting.
Bottom line:
Pocket Planets is a great find for an astronomy geek such as myself. The textures are great, the camera movements are beautiful and the information provided is perfectly satisfactory.
In short, the app provides every feature one might hope for from solar system simulator. Good stuff!
Screen & Controls
Section rating:
The graphics in Pocket Planets are great.
Controls are intuitive, but there's no lazy scrolling, which is a bit of a bummer.
When moving the camera you need to keep your finger on the display, unless you wish to interrupt the motion. I've seen more sophisticated versions of how this feature can work, e.g. in Google Earth.
Speed & Stability
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Pocket Planets loads quickly and is relatively fluid. However, if you leave the app for just a moment it tends to end, meaning it has to be re-loaded. Too bad.
Price/Performance Ratio
Section rating:
Pocket Planets is available for EUR 2.49 from Google Play, a fair price when you consider how much cool information the app holds.
A test version to see if the app is compatible with you device is available for free.
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Market Comments
A Google User, Jun 8, 2013
Absolutely gorgeous. I love that app. I installed it few month ago on my mobile. Now I just bought a tablet. It's even more beautiful bigger. My only problem is the extremely sensitive screen that make the planets flight through the screen, but I'm learning to control it. Great job, thank you very much
A Google User, Jun 8, 2013
Unable to download Tried downloading few times, after download, it says package file unvalid. Please refund.
A Google User, Jun 6, 2013
Satisfyingly good Professionally made app that looks superb, instant response from developer Bruno, you get the feeling this app will just get even better over time.
A Google User, Jun 6, 2013
My three year old loves this My son loves this app. He's three years old and already knows the planets by name and appearance. This app is the reason why. Big thanks to the developers.
A Google User, Jun 3, 2013
WOW !!! Overall this is an amazing application -- informative, has very beautiful graphic and so many things to see. Although, it would be nicer if we could compare the size of objects side by side, and maybe if we could actually see the shadow of one object on another (i.e. during eclipse). I also hope that the developer would expand the encyclopedia with more general details of solar system, definitions, and exploration missions.
A Google User, May 30, 2013
Not bad... Graphically the app is great, but it lacks a lot of features to make it interesting. The Wikipedia info supplied on the planets is way too minimal. There are no labels for features on Mars or the moon. There is no satellite information. Take a look at Solar Walk on ios to see how this could be done.
A Google User, May 29, 2013
Wow Absolutely fantastic application. Developer extremely helpful in any problems. App is graphically superb and informative. Thank you Bruno.
A Google User, May 26, 2013
An educational & awe inspiring app. Excellent in its free version but also well worth buying to get surface detail for the smaller objects.
A Google User, May 26, 2013
Worth a million words! Graphics and manipulation are excellent. Please increase the amount of information for the different structures and keep adding and updating structures. I didn't know about Sedna till this!
A Google User, May 25, 2013
Wonderful! I spend some time in this app, showing my kids and co-workers the "wonders of the space" in my phone. Very impressive the work you've done here.
A Google User, May 25, 2013
Beautiful & eye catching Small learning curve to get the best effect from all the various views available but the new videos do a LOT to ease that burden. You won't find a better app available and for such a minimal cost! You DEFINITELY want the paid version!
A Google User, May 19, 2013
Sweet app Very well done, one thing, I'd love to see more info on the planets moons. But still an awsome app.
A Google User, May 15, 2013
Amazing app The work that went into this app must be massive. It's very much appreciated. I combine this app and Google Sky to keep up on where I am located. Pocket Planet is a must have. It helps in understanding how many ways we are always in motion. Great graphics! Get it!