In the key of I

While the applications for the I Phone remain a successful commodity, the phone is also inspiring programmers with artistic aspirations. Ge Wang is a technology student at Stanford University. This past year he created the Ocarina an I Phone application released by Smule.

Named after an ancient folk instrument, this application is the first that turns the IPod into a new kind of instrument. The Ocarnia is sensitive to touch, movement, and breath. It also allows people to communicate with other users and share the music they have created with others worldwide.

Last December Ge Wang conducted the first orchestra performance of the Ocarina with the Stanford Mobile Pone Orchestra. The musicians improvised by wearing special gloves to operate the phone.

So far the Ocarina has been downloaded by over 600 000 people. While even Wang admits that it can never replace real instruments the program is significant for its ability to create music in an entirely new way.