Everything about Algoriddim’s Djay iPad app screams out “this is what all the post-PC fuss is all about”! When discussing the merits of tablets with a developer friend of mine she basically concluded by saying that everything one could do on a tablet one could do even more conveniently and effectively on a laptop. The Djay iPad app, however, would be sure to make her reconsider. In terms of user interface design the iPad and desktop apps are similar. They both have that instantly recognizable skeuomorphic user interface design of an actual DJ mixing rig.
When done right skeuomorphic user interface designs are great at visually expressing what an app is and how it might work. The iPad version has a cleaner UI design with bigger icons to touch. It features two vinyl decks, each with accompanying waveform overviews at the top of the user interface design. The needle also has a practical purpose rather than simply serving as skeuomorphic UI design eye candy. The needle moves as a track progresses and you can use it to jump to desired parts just like a DJ would with vinyl.
Although the iPad may lack some of the features of the desktop app, I find that it has better usability simply because you can DJ doing a number of things at once. The desktop, without an external controller, can only support one mouse at a time. That is like a real DJ only being allowed to DJ with one finger! On the iPad you can mix, while you scratch etc. The ability to record sets is also a welcome addition and the feature list is bound to grow with each passing iteration. Don’t expect to find your favorite DJ using this at the Ministry of Sound but considering the iDJ MIDI controller already available such a thing could be commonplace in a couple of years.
