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Circuit Playground

Circuit Playground

by Adafruit Industries

19 ratings
114 reviews
🔧 Utilities
🔍 Reference
$2.99

Details

Released
January 27, 2012
Updated
September 3, 2021

Features

Developer

Adafruit Industries
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❓4 answered
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About

This app serves as a comprehensive electronics reference and calculation tool. It helps makers and hobbyists by simplifying complex calculations for various circuits, deciphering component codes, and providing essential diagrams.

✓Circuit value calculations
✓Resistor and capacitor code deciphering
✓Ohm's Law and power calculators
✓Number and character conversions
✓Series/parallel component calculations
✓IC and connector pinout diagrams
Show original description

What users say about Circuit Playground

Reviews of Circuit Playground are mostly positive: the Utilities app is rated 4.3/5 from 19 App Store ratings. What users like most: clean, intuitive, easy-to-use interface, fast load times and responsive performance. Top complaints: frequent crashes and stability issues, outdated and needs regular updates. Summarized from real user reviews.

Positive things

  • 👍Clean, intuitive, easy-to-use interface
  • 🚀Fast load times and responsive performance
  • 📚Comprehensive reference tools and calculators
  • 🎯Resistor and capacitor color code tools
  • 📍Useful pinout references for various boards
  • 💡LED resistor calculator
  • 📊Ohm's Law and circuit calculators
  • 📄Datasheet storage and reference feature
  • 🎓Great for beginners and hobbyists
  • ⭐Well-designed and visually appealing
  • 🔧Handy workbench companion
  • 💰Good value with Adafruit coupon integration

Negative things

  • 🐛Frequent crashes and stability issues
  • ⚠️Outdated and needs regular updates
  • ❌Limited calculator functionality and flexibility
  • 🎨Poor visual design in some areas
  • 📱Compatibility issues with newer iOS versions
  • 💸Expensive for the feature set offered
  • 🔧Calculators don't work smoothly
  • 📊Limited coverage of Ohm's Law
  • 🚫Cannot simulate circuits
  • ❓Confusing datasheet management
See all reviews

What's New in Circuit Playground

2.1.5

September 3, 2021

Improved support for iOS 14

User reviews

Most RecentHighest RatedLowest Rated

Has useful stuff

Some handy knowledge is present, but some other entries could be added for rf/si topics quite readily
AAtra-hasis-sesheta

Really good, wish they’d update

The little calculators are great, especially for beginners. I wish they’d update it, though.
SSkepticInPA

Not what I expect.

Very disappointed, so requested an immediate refund. Why did I buy it?
PRPhilip Rootz

Need to update USB TYPE C

Probably a few other updates are needed.
Ppkcolorado

Almost

Does not let me decide which values must be fixed and which must be computed, and usually gets it wrong, requiring much fiddling to get the answer desired. Does not have a way for handling LEDs in parallel. Otherwise, really useful piece of software, especially for teaching.
SFSupuflourous Flounder
See 109 more reviews

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User experience

🐞

Reported Bugs

10 issues

App crashes when opening multiple capacitors section

Bug

LED Resistor Help Menu crashes the app

Bug

Wavelength to Colour slider inoperable until text field activated

Bug

Capacitor code function broken (incorrect default values)

Bug

Number converter only accepts value 50

Bug

Resistor color codes show conflicting color solutions

Bug

iPad side-wiping error with page ghosting

Bug

Calculator input issues requiring excessive fiddling

Bug

Document folder missing in version 2

Bug

Crashes on iPad mini 1st generation

Bug
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Requested Features

21 requests

Update USB Type-C connector information

Feature

Add transistor pinouts and HFE values

Feature

Transistor and op-amp calculators

Feature

Voltage divider calculator

Feature

Arduino and Raspberry Pi pinout references

Feature

More Adafruit board pinouts (HATs, KiPPAHs, TFT, Trinkets)

Feature

LED parallel circuit handling

Feature

Logic gate truth tables (NAND, AND, NOR, etc.)

Feature

Function generator with sine, square, sawtooth, triangle waves

Feature

Tuned LC circuit calculator

Feature

NPN and PNP transistor calculator

Feature

Mica capacitor color codes for vintage radios

Feature

Better PDF datasheet import (via Safari/Dropbox instead of iTunes)

Feature

Ability to rename datasheets for easier identification

Feature

Breadboard templates for drawing

Feature

Number keypad instead of full keyboard for inputs

Feature

Power dissipation calculations on resistor calculator

Feature

Schematic symbol reference

Feature

iCloud syncing for datasheets

Feature

Direct browsing of Adafruit store within app

Feature

iOS 11+ compatibility updates

Feature

FAQ

What does Circuit Playground do?

Circuit Playground simplifies electronics reference and calculations for makers and hobbyists. It helps with tasks like calculating component values for various circuits, deciphering resistor and capacitor codes, and performing Ohm's Law calculations.

What are the key features of Circuit Playground?

Key features include calculating values for Op Amp, 555, RC Filter, and Resistor Divider circuits, deciphering resistor and capacitor codes, Ohm's Law and power calculators, number and character conversions, series/parallel component calculations, and pinout diagrams for common ICs and connectors.

Is Circuit Playground free to use?

Yes, based on the provided information, Circuit Playground is a free application. It does not have in-app purchases or advertisements.

What kind of projects can this app help with?

This app is ideal for a wide range of electronics projects, from simple DIY builds to more complex hacking and making endeavors. It assists with the fundamental calculations and references needed for building and troubleshooting electronic circuits.