So I got to thinking. Wouldn’t it be cool if the same concept were available on a smartphone? Would it really be all the difficult to do?

I put the idea aside for a few months. As luck would have it, a new client of mine wanted me to write a guide on iPhone App development using a new framework called Sencha Touch. When you combine Sencha Touch with Javascript, HTML 5, and PhoneGap, you get the unique ability to build mobile apps that can be easily deployed to multiple smartphone-like devices.

As I was learning the ropes of Sencha Touch and Javascript, it suddenly dawned on me that I had everything I needed to make an online Snow Dice App. So one Sunday morning in February, I woke up and got to work on it. Within a mere 4 hours, I already had the basic functionality programmed in. After 8 hours, I had some settings and a few safeguards to stop bizarre trick suggestions from popping up (cork 180 anyone?).

You can use the app right now by clicking on the link below:
Snow Dice: Snowboarding App.

Snow Dice App randomly generates a line of snowboarding tricks for you to try on a triple set of jumps. It “understands” the concept of switch, so all of the tricks flow together smoothly. A trick that is landed switch goes into a switch trick. The app also “knows” not to repeat certain spin types and grabs. If the first trick is frontside, the second and third tricks cannot, again, be frontside. The idea is to force you out of your comfort zone. I want to make you try something new.

There are a bunch of settings as well, and more are on the way. You can turn corks, misties, and rodeos on/off, and you will soon be able to choose from three difficulty levels. If more people get in on this app, and it really takes off, I’ll consider adding in the game of S.H.R.E.D. Heck, I might do it anyway if I’ve got a weekend with nothing important going on.

Snow Dice App also suggests new rail tricks. You can get to them by going to the “rails” section.

As you can expect, I’m also developing a skier version. Why miss out on literally half of the market? This isn’t that hard to do, considering you only need to change a few words around. I’ve already got some skier friends who are more than happy to help me with this.

You can play the free skier version by clicking on this link:
Snow Dice: Skiing.

Sorry there’s no grabs yet. Working on that. I don’t know your silly terminology.

Right now, I’m waiting with bated breath to see if Apple will approve my code. Once they do, the next logical course of action is to get the skier version to the App Store. After that, I’m tackling Android and Blackberry. As soon as I’m on all platforms, I’ll start building new features.

Snow Dice will start out at $.99 on iTunes. I can’t wait ’till it’s released!

If you’re curious, go and have a look at the product descriptions I have created for them.

From the time I have spent working with Appiction, I have learned that the future of development lies with these incredible devices. The mobile web will soon be the only web. It’s a fascinating transformation to watch, and I am very excited to be a part of it.