iPad Gets Star Trek LCARS Operating System App
Posted 07/15/2011 at 10:45am
| by Andrew Groen

Trekkies rejoice! Finally there's an app that will allow you to exercise your life long dream of shedding these weak 21st century operating systems, and work in something a bit more advanced. Like Star Trek's LCARS OS. At least, sort of. This fan-service app is more like a very neat interactive encyclopedia.
As far as interactivity goes, there doesn't seem to be a whole lot to do with this app, and it's currently going for the relatively hefty asking price of $5. That's not to say it isn't absolutely gorgeous, but there's not a scrap of information here that you couldn't get via Safari anyway. So you're really just paying for the coat of paint, and the fan service of being able to pretend you're navigating the 24th Century OS. Which is totally cool, if you're into that kind of thing.
The app does seem to boast a pretty large set of information though. It features a full episode guide of the entire series, as well as a large backlog of information on many if not all of the planets, alien species, and technologies featured on the show. Unfortunately, our Trekkie blood doesn't run thick enough to tell you whether it's complete.
Again, Star Trek PADD for iPad runs for $5. No word on whether it responds to "engage" and "make it so" voice commands. Though it would be a terrible missed opportunity if it doesn't.