Transform you iPad into an old school hifi with great sound
BeatBlaster’s subtitle - Turning your iPad into a Hi-Fi Sound System – describes perfectly what this particular app does. Designed specifically for iPad running iOS 5 and above, it is a retro-styled hifi which can be used to play your iTunes music collection in a completely new way. But this is much more than a media player with an interesting look; BeatBlaster also has a number of interesting tricks up its sleeve that makes it well worth checking out.
There are a few modes to the app, starting with the player itself. This is where the hifi theme start and you can use this section to control the playback of your music and access the other sections of the app. The library can be used to browse through your music collection, complete with album art, as well as choosing from a wide range of online radio stations. If you’re a fan of vinyl, you can flick to the turntable view and watch your currently playing album spinning as you listen.
There’s also a speaker view in which the speaker cones will pulse in time with the music. The player itself can also be used to adjust the sound of your music by tweaking equalizer and volume settings, and even view song lyrics while tracks play so you can sing along. You can also click through to find out more about the artists you are listening to, providing you with a completely new music experience.
The distinctly retro look of BeatBlaster is a strange experience on the technological marvel that is the iPad. It sounds strange in theory, but it works. The look of the hifi itself may not be to everyone’s tastes and it would be good to see the addition of skins, but everything in the app is beautifully designed and executed. The app can be used on its own, but it becomes even more handy when used in conjunction with BeatBlaster Remote which enables you to use your iPhone as a remote control.
Final Verdict: A unique music player than looks gorgeous and performs wonderfully; a great app for any music fan with an iPad
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