The ultimate flash card app. Worth every penny.
I know the price seems steep at first, but honestly, if youre looking for the ultimate flash card app that gives you an unparalleled control over the material you want to learn, then Anki is for you. Mind the "IF" in the last sentence. It takes time to master the more advanced techniques of presenting and managing content. The mobile client can handle HTML5 and JavaScript (albeit some functionalities known from desktop browsers are not available (partly) due to security restrictions on iOS), which basically means that you can design your flash card templates like you would design a website and you can even interact with the content. The possibilities are endless. Batch import/export functions let you prepare complex custom content in 3rd party software, e.g. a spreadsheet editor. The app can handle pictures, audio and video too. And the plethora of add-on for the desktop client facilitates the creation of complex custom content even further.
Its worth to mention here the desktop software. The iOS app is chiefly intended for revisions on the go, although the last update makes great advances into ensuring a consistent editing experience. Still, the mobile app still requires a desktop app for more advanced options. Both the desktop app, as well as the mobile client use the dedicated cloud services allowing for syncs between the devices, which is completely free of charge. The mobile version allows you to create new cards, but I cannot imagine creating more advance content with the mobile client - itd be too much bother, not so much due to Ankis limitations, but due to the limitations of iOS devices. Maybe with multitasking and improved input methods (Bluetooth keyboards, styluses, etc. you can make the job less toilsome, but I still strongly advise anyone to do the serious editing on their desktops).
So, all in all, for the one-time price youre not just getting one app, but a suite of applications across different platforms, access to a number of free useful add-ons, ready-made shared decks, syncing cloud service with lifetime unlimited online storage (at least for now) and a great support (I should know, Ive been pestering the developer with quite a number of requests for improvements to existing or even completely new features, and Ive always received a helpful reply).
That said, there are still some areas that could be improved:
- more support for JavaScript
- support for offline Google Swiffy HTML5 animations to make up for missing flash animation on iOS devices would be great
- improving complete syncing of collections over 100 MB
These are, however, only cherries on top not warranting deducting even a single star from the rating.
And in case youre wondering : YES, I do have an ulterior motive to write this lengthy and overall positive review of the app. Im trying to convince you to buy this app because I would hate to see this project discontinued one day. In fact, I donate the price of the app to the developer every year to incentivize the developer to keep this project running (voting with your wallet is the best testimony there is, isnt it?). Ive been using Anki for a few years now to learn Chinese, English, German and a number of other subjects across the board and I can testify to how using the software has improved my capability to memorize new content.
Queerly about
AnkiMobile Flashcards, v2.0.23