latest update a major improvement
The newest update added two very important features that had been on my wish list:
* a SRS feature for optimal efficiency in retaining kanji (the latest update includes Leitner system boxes, so that reviews of known kanji are scheduled so you spend the most time studying the things you are having difficulty, rather than repeating stuff you already know.)
* ability to easily customize decks, for example a button that says add to practice list
Given the improvements, this app goes from 3 to 4 stars in my book. The Leitner system is great!
Here is my earlier review:
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If you want to practice fingerpainting kanji by rote, this app will allow you to do that. The practice mode does a decent job of showing stroke order and you just follow along with your fingertips. Test mode allows you to compare the kanji you drew with their version, and that is fairly useful. The multiple choice test mode is unremarkable in any way.
If you exit the app and re-open it does not remember where you were in the deck. VERY FRUSTRATING if you were somewhere midway through the 700+ jlpt2 kanji. Even if you remembered which # you were at, there is no feature to be able to go to that card.
Wish list for this app:
* ability to pick up where you left off after exiting and reopening the app
* an outline of the drawing area, so you actually know how much space you have to draw the kanji in
* ability to navigate to a certain kanji by kana or english meaning
* a couple of jyukugyo (compounds) with below each kanji.
Bottom line, this app is very basic, especially considering the price, but it does let you practice drawing your kanji over and over, and for that reason, I do use it. It has a lot of room for improvement. I would consider adding more stars if more features were added.
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So far good
So far it's good, but I'd like to see the full jouyou kanji set and it should have the ability to input our own meanings for the kanji (for those of us studying via Heisig). Also, I'd like to see a kind of daily spaced repitition system built into it, like Kanjiflip, so we can write the ones we had the most trouble with daily and improve. Please add this stuff to make the app perfect.
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Mixed feelings
I am so happy someone finally used the touch screen's potential in a kanji learning app for English (and other language) speakers. However, there are some things missing that really hold the app back.
The following features are currently missing as of March 5th 2009:
-1- Searchable database. I want to be able to type in the reading or the actual kanji and bring up a specific kanji for practice.
-2- Custom lists. I want to be able to study only the specific kanji that are going to be on my next quiz usually.
-3- Examples and compounds. Without these the program fails in matters of teaching reading comprehension and introducing new (unfamiliar) kanji.
As much as I like this app it is only fun for a while and then I have to go back to programs such as Lima Sky's "Kanji" which have the above features as I don't have time to study anything less specific than my own course content.
Summary: Considering the price and competition, this program does not currently accomplish as much as it should, but its innovation, ease of interface, and unique drawing test method entitle it to no less than four stars.
Thank you for making this app. I will modify my review and rating as updates become available.
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Great App (in progress)
This app features some great Kanji learning tools, including (the ultimate in my opinion) testing your ability to WRITE, and not just read, the Kanji you have learned. Another fantastic thing is that the author is still working on the app, and he already has some really great ideas on where it should be going (check out the website for the app to see what he has up his sleeve). One thing that I would like to see would be the aforementioned Kanji writing tests with, instead of English definitions, Japanese words (or just On and Kun readings) provided in kana. Language learning is best when you can start to move away from the need to translate, and that minor change would make that easier.
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