Killer Apps – Seven WW2-Themed Downloadables for Your Smart Phone

Technology blogger Allie Cooper lists her pics for smart phone apps that put the action of WW2 into the palm of your hand.

By Allie Cooper

Mobile Phones: WW2 Technology? Did you know that mobile devices got their start during World War Two? The first original functioning cell phones were pioneered as early as 1938. Portable AM-radio devices like the SCR-194 and the SCR-195 were produced by the U.S. Army Signal Corps Engineering Laboratories in New Jersey on the eve of World War Two. These technologies were considered the first “walkie talkies”. A far cry from the handhelds of today, these early portable radios weighed about 25 pounds and only had a range of five miles (and that was under ideal conditions). Nevertheless, devices like these became the widely used by Allies infantry during the war. Click here to view the rest of their history. — **Mobile Phones: WW2 Technology?**
Did you know that mobile devices got their start during World War Two? The earliest wireless portable radio phones were pioneered as early as 1938. Devices like the SCR-194 and the SCR-195 were produced by the U.S. Army Signal Corps Engineering Laboratories in New Jersey on the eve of the outbreak of hostilities. These technologies were considered the first “walkie talkies”. A far cry from the handhelds of today, early portable radios weighed as much as 25 pounds yet only had a range of five miles (and that was under ideal conditions). Nevertheless, such devices became widely used by the Allies during the war.

THE STUDY OF history (particularly among the young in the United States) is on the decline. According to recent research from the U.S. Department of Education, the number of American youth pursuing history degrees is roughly 0.6 percent. Perhaps digital technology can turn things around. Armed with a new generation mobile devices and apps, history teachers and historians are hoping to make the past more accessible to younger audiences. Consider these World War Two downloadables for tablets and smart phones.

1. Timeline World War Two

Exclusively for iPad users, this application by Ballista Media provides a comprehensive chronology of the entire Second World War. The interface allows users to ‘zoom in’ on more than 2,000 events, battles, locations, personalities and more. Check it out here: http://www.timelineww2.com/

2. World War Two by Solvapps

Similar to the above offering, Solvapps’ World War Two offers users a complete chronicle of the conflict from the rise of the Nazi party up to the final Allied victory. It currently has a 4.7-star rating on the Android app store and the developers back up the product with a money back guarantee. See: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=solveraapps.chronicbrowser_ww2_en

3. World War II Magazine

After the success of its print magazines, HistoryNet made its content available to iPad/iPhone users through an amazing series of digital apps. The World War Two release offers users a range of stories, interviews, as well as facts and figures about the six-year conflict. In addition to a Second World War downloadable, the publisher also offers apps for its print periodicals American History, America’s Civil War, Aviation History, Civil War Times, Military History, Wild West and more. For more, see: https://ssl.palmcoastd.com/0943D/apps/DES_WWR?ikey=I**DP1

4. Overlord by FlikFolio

Rediscover D-Day with FlikFolio’s Overlord. Written by the editors of WW2today.com, the iPad app contains more than 700 historic photographs of the 1944 Normandy invasion and commentary from American, British, German and even Canadian perspectives. See: https://itunes.apple.com/sb/app/overlord/id662108972?mt=8

5. Virtual Normandy American Cemetery

Speaking of D-Day, the American Battle Monuments Commission offers the Normandy American Cemetery app – a virtual iPod/iPhone tour guide to the historical cemetery where almost 10,000 United States soldiers are buried. The app comes with photos, stories, and interviews of Americans who fought in history’s most famous invasion. See: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/normandy-american-cemetery/id953276481?mt=8

6. World War Two Interactive

A great guide for students, this educational iPad app contains massive resources about the war, divided into nine periods. It comes complete with videos, speeches, photos, and other data necessary for class discussion. See: https://itunes.apple.com/ph/app/id437200190?mt=8

7. WW2 News

A minimalist application, this Android history app contains hand-picked WW2-related news headlines and links to online articles. It’s a great resource for teachers, historians or anyone who is a history buff. Currently, it has a 4.4-star rating at the Google Store. See: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.cloudworth.WWTWONEWS

Allie Cooper (aka Heaven Heart) is a U.K.-based technology blogger. She has written on a myriad of tech topics connected to business, gadgets, education and more. Aside from blogging she has always been fascinated with photography, and spent her past few years learning the tricks and tools of the trade.