Early last month Apple updated iOS to version 5. This update came with some wonderful new apps such as Newstand and Reminder and all sorts of improvements. Unfortunately, it also broke some apps on the App Store. Some of Nkyea’s apps that allow the user to record audio such as Nkyea Twi Phrasebook, Basic Swahili and Basic Hausa were affected. Users reported crashes when they tried to record and compare with the apps. Well, Isaac and I have been working these past weeks to fix this recording issue and some new features to make the apps even better. Last week, updates for Nkyea Twi Phrasebook and Basic Hausa were released and yesterday, Basic Swahili our top selling app also went live and we are pleased to say that it works perfectly with iOS 5. Today, I am giving you an in-depth look at the additional features that makes Basic Swahili and Basic Hausa even better than the previous versions.
Word/Phrase of the Day
We have been tweeting Twi and Hausa words and phrases to our Twitter page everyday for more than 2 months now and this has proved to be a wonderful resource for our followers. Well, we decided to bring Word/Phrase of the Day to Basic Swahili and Basic Hausa. The apps now notify you everyday with a word or a phrase, which you can play and listen to, record and compare with the native speakers and you can save to your “Likes” for later study. The default time for daily notifications is 10:00 am, but you can change this to your own time under the Info tab on the iPhone and iPod touch or popover in the iPad.
Better search
In the previous apps, searches were restricted to one category, so you could only search for, say, “duck” in the Animals category. If you searched for it in the Clothing category you would not get any result. In the new update you can search for a word or sentence outside the category you are currently in and the app will pull it for you. In the example below, even though I am in the Clothing category I am searching for “duck”, which is in a different category and the app is showing me some results already.
Social Integration
It’s very good to let your friends know your language learning progress and encourage you. We have added deeper Facebook integration so you can take a quiz and automatically share your scores, cumulative percentage and badges on your Facebook Timeline. You can also tweet it to your followers if you have a Twitter account.
We’re excited to finally share the new Basic Swahili and Basic Hausa with you. The apps cost only $2.99 on the Apple App Store. If you have the previous version you can update for free.
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I purchased the Learn Swahili programme and it worked fine. However just the other day I downloaded the update and now cannot access the programme at all. When I attempt to do so the initial screen pops up and then immediately goes off. I am using iPad 2.
Roy Godber
Have you upgraded to iOS 5?
It does the same for me. – Even with the IOS 5 upgrade.(on iPod touch)
The Nkyea Twi Primer is very helpful! Thanks guys. But…..I’m still waiting on that app for the android phone.
Hi Catina, we are still on it. We hope to release it before Christmas.
Hi Catina, the Android version will come out soon.
After the last update of feb 2012 iam still not able to open the app. I have installed it on my iphone and ipad via itunes (as you advised).
Please repair it. Iam waiting for months already to get a working swahili app!