# Espelides — By Michael Atavar > Generative text manipulation tool inspired by cut-up techniques for creative writing. (iPhone/iPad app by Psopo.) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/espelides/id1382244706 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [Psopo](https://appshunter.io/developer/1382244705) - Category: Business, Education - Price: $3.99 - Age rating: 4+ - Requires: iOS 12.0 · 1 MB - Languages: American English - Released: 2018-07-25 - Data updated: 2026-06-01 - Monetization: paid - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/espelides/id1382244706/reviews.md ## What is Espelides? An app that rearranges your text in new, unseen ways. Write or paste your words into the ESPELIDES window, then click on one of the buttons to manipulate the words and sentences. Developed by Michael Atavar, with programming by Piers Aitman and UI by Richard Scarborough. The idea for ESPELIDES came to me at a time when I was recording all my dreams. It's a large audience in a cinema, the rows are packed. They are all using ESPELIDES, an automatic writing game. For them it's physical, however, I am saving it on a screen, to avoid losing my written text. The background to this apparently spontaneous idea was that, for a long time, I had been using the cut-up technique of Brion Gysin and William Burroughs. In my own work, this method frequently helps me out of tight corners, where language becomes too proscriptive. It gives me further avenues of the unconscious on which to draw. After having the dream, I decided to make my own engine, an instant I-Ching version, if you like, of the ESPELIDES writing game – a generative tool that could develop new effects and thoughts, primarily to use in my own writing. I find it useful for product ideas, names, titles, exercises in writing. This is what you now see as ESPELIDES. My intention is that the ESPELIDES algorithms create a parallel reality, a dream event, that might stimulate your own language experiments. The previews that you see on screen (in a conscious echo of C.G Jung’s introduction to Richard Wilhelm translation of the I-Ching) use the text I am writing here as material for the ESPELIDES engine; a broken mirror image of what these paragraphs say. Whilst the results might look at first unpromising, some sifting through prompts a few key phrases or names that jump out. The trick, as always, is to see ESPELIDES as one stage of personal process, some useful clues, rather than an instant creative solution. 'Yeaprocess', 'Swithdo', 'IphauAid' 'Newelides' (taken from the text) are just steps on the way. Michael Atavar ## Key features - Text manipulation - Generative writing engine - Idea and name generation - Language experiment stimulation - Cut-up technique inspiration - Dream event simulation ## Recent user reviews (2 of 2) All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/espelides/id1382244706/reviews.md ### 5/5 — Great App! *2018-08-06, version 1.0* Good when you’re lost and fun when you’re found. ### 5/5 — Groody *2018-07-12, version 1.0* Which means bloody good ;-) ## Frequently asked questions about Espelides ### What is Espelides? Espelides is a generative text manipulation tool that rearranges your words and sentences in new ways. It's inspired by the cut-up technique and aims to stimulate creative writing and idea generation. ### How does Espelides work? You can write or paste your text into the app, then select a button to manipulate the words and sentences. The app's algorithms create new effects and thoughts based on your input. ### What is the inspiration behind Espelides? The app was inspired by the developer's dream recording and the cut-up technique used by writers like Brion Gysin and William Burroughs. It aims to provide a generative engine for creative exploration. ### What kind of results can I expect from Espelides? While results may initially seem unpromising, sifting through them can reveal key phrases or names. It's intended as a stage in a personal creative process, offering useful clues rather than instant solutions. ### What devices is Espelides available on? Espelides is available on iPhone, iPad, and iPod devices. ### What is the age rating for Espelides? Espelides has an age rating of 4+, making it suitable for a broad audience. ### How often is Espelides updated? Espelides was last updated on July 21, 2023, with version 1.0.7. The release date was July 25, 2018. ### Does Espelides have ads? No, Espelides does not contain advertisements. ## Version history (last 5 releases) ### 1.0.7 — 2023-07-21 Text changes, operating system update. ### 1.0.5 — 2020-04-23 This version is compatible with iOS 13. It uses a fuller set of images for the Launch Storyboard. It also removes the blue focus outline from the input box, and tidies up the status bar area and where the logo sits. ### 1.0.3 — 2019-08-01 Minor visual changes: hide loading spinner, remove grey box on focus, small spelling mistake. ### 1.0.2 — 2019-07-24 Minor text changes, and improvements to loading splash screen. ### 1.0 — 2018-06-26 No release notes. ## More apps by Psopo - [Omethr](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/omethr/id1531115398) All apps by Psopo: https://appshunter.io/developer/1382244705 --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-06-01.*