The Hanx Writer, the typewriter-mimicking app launched by actor Tom Hanks last August 14, has proven to be a hit, at least for iPad users. As of August 18 Monday evening, the two-time Oscar-winning thespian's app sat at number one on iTunes' app store.
Inspired by Hanks' own fascination with manual typewriters, the app was developed to transform your iPad into a manual typewriter, or at least try to. The Hanx Writer replicates the familiar thwack sound of an old-school typewriter's keys hitting paper. It even reproduces the ding-click-clunk chime that typewriters make when you get to the end of one line and you have to start another one below. Even your iPad's typing view is cleverly morphed into that of a vintage typewriter -- keys are shaped like old typewriter keys, you can see the paper on your screen, and yup, even the carriage return lever too.
Even if the app offers more cute factor than actual transformative powers, iPad users clearly found the Hanx Writer interesting enough to install in their own devices. Aside from being number one in iTunes (the app tops the Productivity section as well as Overall), Hanks' app has garnered rather impressive early reviews. As of this writing, the app has accumulated about 1,300 reviews (most of them positive), and has a current rating of 4.5 stars.
The Hanx Writer is available for free in iTunes' app store, and comes with a free typewriter font (called the Hanx Prime Select). Users can avail of additional fonts (the Hanx 707 and the Hanx Golden Touch), and typewriter sounds by paying $2.99 for each additional item.
