# NKS Explorer 2022

> Generates complex patterns based on Stephen Wolfram's "New Kind of Science" principles. (iPhone/iPad app by John Kiehl.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nks-explorer-2022/id1625287772 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [John Kiehl](https://appshunter.io/developer/489971243)
- Category: Education, Graphics & Design
- Price: Free
- Rating: 4.00/5 from 3 App Store ratings · 1 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 15.0 · 3 MB
- Languages: English
- Released: 2022-05-21
- Data updated: 2026-06-03
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nks-explorer-2022/id1625287772/reviews.md

## What is NKS Explorer 2022?

NKS Explorer 2022 takes you to the edge of today's known science by introducing you to a "New Kind of Science." NKS is the science of Stephen Wolfram, the British/American scientist who in 1981 asked himself, "How does all the complexity seen in the Universe arise?"  Stephen was confounded by the complex appearance of a black & white pixel pattern drawn by a simple computer program he had devised. You can now follow Stephen Wolfram's lead and make patterns that engage your artful sensibilities, as well as give you insights into the nature of the Universe -- the Mother of all pattern generators. Download NKS Explorer 2022 now. Start making your own NKS discoveries!

## Key features

- Explore "New Kind of Science"
- Generate complex patterns
- Gain insights into the universe
- Create unique scientific patterns
- Artful pattern design

## Recent user reviews (1 of 1)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nks-explorer-2022/id1625287772/reviews.md

### 3/5 — crashing

*2022-08-08*

keeps crashing when i click on favorite rules that i've saved

## Frequently asked questions about NKS Explorer 2022

### What is NKS Explorer 2022?

NKS Explorer 2022 is an educational application that allows users to explore and generate patterns based on Stephen Wolfram's "New Kind of Science" principles, offering insights into the nature of complexity and the universe.

### What is the learning methodology of NKS Explorer 2022?

The app's learning methodology is based on experiential discovery, encouraging users to create and observe patterns to understand underlying scientific principles and the emergence of complexity.

### How does NKS Explorer 2022 track user progress?

Progress tracking in NKS Explorer 2022 is primarily through user-generated discoveries and the patterns they create, rather than formal assessments. Users can save and revisit their generated patterns.

### Does NKS Explorer 2022 offer certifications?

NKS Explorer 2022 does not offer formal certifications. Its focus is on personal exploration and understanding of scientific concepts through pattern generation.

### What devices does NKS Explorer 2022 support?

NKS Explorer 2022 is available on iPhone and iPod devices, as indicated by its supported devices list.

### What is the age rating for NKS Explorer 2022?

NKS Explorer 2022 has an age rating of 4+, making it suitable for a wide range of users interested in science and patterns.

### How often is NKS Explorer 2022 updated?

The latest version of NKS Explorer 2022 was released on 2022-09-23, with the last update occurring on 2022-09-24, indicating recent activity and potential for ongoing improvements.

### What do users like about NKS Explorer 2022?

Based on its 4.0-star rating from 3 reviews, users likely appreciate the app's unique approach to exploring scientific concepts and its ability to generate interesting patterns.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 2022.09.23 — 2022-09-24

1) Slight cosmetic changes to Settings screen. 
2) Fixed a bug in the FSM (Finite State Machine) rule exploration screen that tallied the various graphs incorrectly

### 2022.09.16 — 2022-09-18

1) The rules displayed in slideshow now takes over the entire screen.
2) A new mode on the Nearest Neighbors screen called "Tag" lets you bookmark more than one nearest neighbor before returning to the Main screen. Once you return to the Main screen hitting the Slideshow button will cycle through those bookmarked neighbors. Returning to the Nearest Neighbor screen erases any bookmarked list of rules. A bookmark list, when present, always take precedence over the traditional slideshow.
3) An additional style of navigating nearest neighbor rules has been added. It's called "FSM" because it's uses Finite State Machine type graphs. Using this method the 27 input neighborhoods are gathered in groups of 3. Each group has the same left and right neighbor cells, then the three center cells (white, gray, black) are represented as an orbit within this miniature finite state graph. Tapping on any one of these graphs ratchets the orbit up or down to more complex or more simple configurations.
4) The white cells can be replaced by a random color gradient. Activate this feature in the Settings screen.

### 2022.07.26 — 2022-07-27

When you take a screenshot of the current pattern, you can now add a comment which will appear as a footnote in the jpeg.

### 2022.07.18 — 2022-07-18

• Added a camera icon to the main screen which takes a screenshot of the current pattern and places the jpeg immediately in your Photo Album. So now, you can quickly save interesting patterns without anointing them "Favorite" status.
• On the Nearest Neighbor screen there is now a "tag" mode which lets you bookmark a subset of the thumbnails. This group can then be viewed in a custom SlideShow on the main screen. The group is automatically cleared every time the Nearest Neighbor screen is revisited.

### 2022.07.15 — 2022-07-16

Cosmetic changes & speed enhancements

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## More apps by John Kiehl

- [A Cantor's Seder](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/a-cantors-seder/id509568753)
- [High Holiday Highlights](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/high-holiday-highlights/id557592342)
- [Zen Moments](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/zen-moments/id643819510)
- [Sacred Ground: A Remembrance](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sacred-ground-a-remembrance/id978439136)
- [NKS Explorer HD](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nks-explorer-hd/id1255002903)
- [High Holiday Phone Version](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/high-holiday-phone-version/id1480294245)

All apps by John Kiehl: https://appshunter.io/developer/489971243

## Related topics

[nks explorer 2022](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/nks-explorer-2022) · [john kiehl](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/john-kiehl) · [kiehl](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/kiehl)

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*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 2026-06-03.*