What’s New: CALC 1 by CalcFxC, LLC

What’s New:  CALC 1 by CalcFxC, LLC

Programmer/Author:  CalcFxC, LLC

Platform:  iOS (iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad)

Price:  Up to $5.99 for the full, non-ad version

There is a free version, but it is with ads and you may not get all the features you want.  There are in-app purchases on the free version if you want. 

Apple App Store Link:  https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/ad-free-calc-1-financial-calculator/id1073629173?mt=8

Web Site:  http://www.calcfxcllc.com/

This blog entry will focus on some of the update (as of 3/24/2016). 

I reviewed the app on a previous blog entry:  http://edspi31415.blogspot.com/2012/10/review-of-freecalcfxc.html

To review, CALC 1 (previously named CalcFxC), has focused calculators and formula calculators.  Focused calculators are calculators that are set on a specific theme or task.  This includes the general, time value of money, statistics, conversions, and general (scientific) calculators.    Hold any key for a second, and you will see help text that applies to the key.  Formula calculators are calculators that are based on equation solving.  This includes solving percentage problems, profit margin, effective interest rate vs nominal interest rate, permutations, combinations, probability density functions, and polynomial solvers.  You can also make a customized focused or formula calculator. 

We also have Form Calculators.  These are guided calculators that answer specific questions, such as finding the monthly payment of a loan, a time value of money worksheet, an amortization worksheet (which can be copied and emailed), depreciation, and dates. 

Some of the New Features

Value Preview

This is my favorite of the new update (as of 3/24/2016) is the value preview.  Any storage register, be it the time value of money, formula register, or variables, you will see the current value of the register printed directly on the key. 

Swap Key (iPhone/iPod Touch) takes you to Currency Conversion

The swap key takes you the currency conversion and automatically takes the number on the X Stack (bottom stack) as its argument.  The best part is that the most current conversion rates are used (assuming your device is connected to the internet).  Once conversion is complete, the results are placed on the X stack.

Chain Mode

New to CALC 1 is chain mode.  Most four-function, non-scientific calculators that you find operate on Chain Mode.   Operations in chain mode work on the number in the display (x-stack) in the order you press the key, ignoring the Order of Operations.  For example:

Pressing 7 [ + ] 2 [ x ] 5 [ = ] in chain mode returns 45.  (Under Order of Operations, the 7+2*5 = 17)

CALC 1 also has Algebraic and RPN entry modes. 

Form Calculator Results are placed in History

This not only transfers single amounts but also any applicable tables.  To see the details of any Form Calculator related history item, click on the information button (the blue I in a circle).  This is useful if you want to work with a lot of what-if scenarios or if you making a set of calculations that you want to refer to at a later time. 

Please check this app out, Roger Carey has a done a solid job on this calculator. 

This blog is property of Edward Shore, 2016.

PCalc 3.3: Some of the new features

One of my favorite iOS calcualtor apps is PCalc by James Thompson. Recently, PCalc received an update to Version 3.3. Here are some of the new features:


If you Handoff, the PCalc will allow you to start calculations on one iOS device and transfer it to another. You will need Bluetooth and a cloud account.

Another new feature is the ability to turn operator precedence off. Do that and the PCalc operates like a basic four function calculator, with scientific functions. In this mode, be careful what order of keys you press as every operation affects the number in the display. The option of turning operator precedence is available when RPN mode is turned off.

And now for my favorite new feature: customizable keyboards. Each of the keyboards, one that shown when the iOS device is in portrait orientation and one that is shown in landscape orientation, can be individually customized. Each key can activate functions, user created programs, and access to option menus. The keyboard has two planes: one for "first" functions and one for functions that are acessed by press on the 2nd key. If you want keys to have two functions, then you will need to create a key for each plane. You can also change the size of each key, give the key a custom name, and change the font size of each key. Colors of the keys themselves are still determined by the theme you select in the app's options.

Additional new features include widget notification and an expanded list of Bluetooth keyboard shortcuts. PCalc is currently sold for $9.99 in the App Store.


Eddie

This blog is property of Edward Shore. 2014