techSampler vs Rock Ace
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
techSampler
Explore dozens of free, standalone apps with complete source code for electronics, science, math, and graphics. This companion app to a popular book provides executable projects and programming tools for iPhone and iPad.
- Free standalone apps with source code
- Electronics and sensor projects
- Data collection and analysis
- Interactive graphics and programming
- Companion to O'Reilly book
- Built-in help and debugger
- STEM education tools
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Dozens of FREE Stand-Alone Apps with Complete Source Code for accessing Sensors, Electronics, Science, Math and Graphics from the iPhone and iPad, and is also the Companion App for the new O’Reilly Book “Building iPhone & iPad Electronics Projects.” VIDEO – BUILDING IPHONE & IPAD ELECTRONICS PROJECTS See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wn_VqZMfoMY VIDEO -- CLASSROOM LEARNING See http://www.byteworks.us/Byte_Works/Classroom.html QUICK START GUIDES FOR THE IPHONE AND IPAD See http://www.byteworks.us/Byte_Works/Documentation.html SAMPLE APPS techBASIC Sampler Includes Apps Written in techBASIC for ◆ Electronics projects ◆ Data collection ◆ Creating interactive graphics ◆ Cool programming controls ◆ Connecting to the latest sensor technology ◆ Using Bluetooth low energy and Arduino O’REILLY BOOK -- BUILDING IPHONE & IPAD ELECTRONICS PROJECTS Real World Arduino, Sensor and Bluetooth LE Apps with techBASIC. techBASIC Sampler is the companion app to this new book and includes ◆ Executable versions of each project ◆ Complete source code Check out the Early Release of the Ebook at http://shop.oreilly.com/product/0636920029281.do PROGRAMMING Use techBASIC Sampler to ◆ View the complete source code for every example ◆ Check out the built-in help system ◆ Run the step-and-trace debugger ◆ Explore the powerful, and easy to use world of programming with techBASIC IN-APP PURCHASE An in-app purchase unlocks the editing capabilities, giving you the full version of techBASIC so you can customize these programs or write your own. SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING & MATH {STEM) SCIENCE CLASS Engage Students in Scientific Inquiry as they ◆ Understand physics from real data, like zero G on a swing ◆ Collect data from the built-in sensors on the iPhone & iPad ◆ Study the earth’s magnetic field ◆ See the Stars rotate around the sun Check out these apps for science class lesson ideas: • Accelerometer, Magnetometer and Gyroscope • E-M Field • G-Force • Metal Detector • Stars MATH CLASS Bring Math Class to Life as Students ◆ Quickly plot functions to understand coordinate systems ◆ Interact with equations using swipe and pinch gestures ◆ Watch a torus degenerate into a sphere ◆ Use numeric integration for calculus ◆ Fit curves to data with polynomial and linear regression ◆ Solve simultaneous equations with matrix math like LU decomposition ◆ Use techBASIC as the power-user’s graphing calculator (see our tutorial blog) Check Out These Apps for Math Class Lesson Ideas: • Sin_x and Ball • Torus Geometry • Integration • Regression PROGRAMMING CLASS ◆ Engage students with beautiful interactive graph using just a few lines of code ◆ Clear error messages and step-and-trace debugger make programming easy ◆ Write a program to collect data from the accelerometer in one class period ◆ Learn problem solving skills ◆ Write powerful programs to control and interact with the world around them ◆ BASIC programming language is easy to learn and widely used ◆ Built-in help system answers questions right in the app ELECTRONICS & SENSORS The techBASIC website has numerous tutorials you can modify ◆ Turn an iPhone into a magnetometer ◆ Build Bluetooth low energy based circuits ◆ Turn an iPhone into a Plant Moisture Meter using HiJack ◆ Hack a Remote Control car with an Arduino and Bluetooth LE ◆ Connect to Bluetooth low energy devices from the iPhone and iPad ◆ Collect Data from a model rocket iPhone flight using the TI SensorTag ◆ Access data real-time from the built-in accelerometer, magnetometer and gyroscope sensors FREE DOCUMENTATION QUICK START GUIDES FOR THE IPHONE AND IPAD See http://www.byteworks.us/Byte_Works/Documentation.html ◆ Learn how to quickly access the main features of techBASIC ◆ Get information on the examples included with techBASIC Sampler REFERENCE MANUAL FOR techBASIC ◆ Over 300 pages of documentation ◆ Dozens of sample programs and images
Rock Ace
Instantly identify rocks, minerals, and gemstones using AI. Get detailed geological information, build a personal collection with notes and images, and engage in AI-powered discussions about geology. Export your findings as a PDF.
- AI rock identification
- Detailed geological information
- AI geology discussions
- Rock collection management
- Personal notes for finds
- PDF export of collection
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Identify any rock, mineral, crystal, or gemstone. Rock Ace uses AI to analyze your finds and provide detailed geological information. Save your collection, add personal notes, chat with AI, and export your history as a PDF. FEATURES • AI Rock Identification Take a photo of any rock, mineral, crystal, or gemstone to identify it. Get scientific and common names, composition, formation process, hardness, uses, and identification tips. • Detailed Geological Information Every identification includes comprehensive details—how the specimen formed, its mineral composition, hardness rating, common uses, and recognition tips. • AI Rock Discussions Ask follow-up questions about geology, crystal properties, formation conditions, or any rock-related topic. Revisit past conversations anytime. • Rock Collection Save every rock you discover with high-quality images and timestamps. Build your personal geology collection over time. • Personal Notes Add your own observations to each find. Record location, collection date, or any details worth remembering. • Favorites Mark notable specimens to find them quickly. Keep your most interesting discoveries easily accessible. • PDF Export Export your rock collection as a formatted PDF. Perfect for sharing your findings or keeping a backup. Rock Ace is perfect for geology enthusiasts, crystal collectors, and anyone curious about rocks. Explore the world of geology and build your personal collection with Rock Ace. There is an optional Premium subscription for unlimited access. The subscription will be charged to your iTunes account upon purchase. Your account will be charged for renewal 24 hours before the current period ends. You can turn off auto-renewal at any time in your Account Settings. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://www.productivetap.com/rock-ace-privacy-policy/
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Rock Ace at 5.0 against techSampler's 3.0. Rock Ace also leads on update cadence (every 4 weeks vs every 4 months). techSampler's advantage is device support (3 vs 1) and iOS requirement (7.0 vs 17.0). On price, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Both are free to download. techSampler sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Rock Ace sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Rock Ace holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2 and 1 respectively.
techSampler ships an update every 4 months, Rock Ace every 4 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 4, 2026 and September 25, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | techSampler | Rock Ace |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.0 (2 ratings) | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 50.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 2 — better | 1 |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | Every 4 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Freemium |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 7.0 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 38 MB | 62 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Byte Works, Inc. | ProductiveTap |
Customer experience
techSampler
Rock Ace
In-app purchases
techSampler
- Add Editing$14.99
Rock Ace
- Premium Weekly3 Days trial$2.997 Days
- Premium Yearly$29.991 Year





