Despite lackluster sales of the China Unicom iPhone, usage of the world’s new favorite digital gadget is high in China. Long before Unicom offered its WiFi-less device, people were using imported versions – the legally unlocked Hong Kong version being the favorite. When you’re packing an iPhone you’ve most definitely got a rocket in your pocket, but what do you do with it – especially now that Chinese carriers are cracking down on sexting? It’s like Sun Tzu used to say, “Can you imagine what I would do if I could do all I can?” Well there’s a lot you can do with your iPhone to make life in China smoother, happier and more harmonious, including downloading Sun Tzu’s Art of War and reading it on the coloured paper of your choice. All these apps should work on your iPod Touch as well.

 

Learning Chinese
Learning Chinese is a full time job, luckily there are iPhone apps that let you take your learning on the road. Or subway – if they work offline.

Pleco
Pleco Dictionary has long been a favourite of Chinese learners. Many people bought Palm PDAs or Windows Mobile devices just to run the software and the long-awaited iPhone has met with great response. The iPhone app lacks the excellent Pleco flashcard module but that’s expected to arrive in early 2010. All the other features, including the reader function, are intact. With the iPhone app Pleco is rolling out a new pricing model. The app itself is free – and includes one dictionary and the ability to download more free ones – but additional dictionary packages can be purchased separately and those can run you from 50-150 USD. If you’re serious about studying Chinese this is the best dictionary out there. People who already own a copy for Palm or WinMo can contact Pleco about getting the iPhone version.

Price: Free – extra dictionaries rang from 50-150 USD
Website | iTunes URL (opens in iTunes)

ChinesePod
Another service that probably needs little introduction. The new ChinesePod Learn Chinese iPhone app is a step above their free Quick Review app. If you’re a ChinesePod subscriber you can download lessons including audio and transcripts, do vocab review and drills, and utilize its excellent dictionary and search functions.

Price: Free (not very useful without a paid subscription to ChinesePod however)
Website | iTunes URL (opens in iTunes)

iChinese
A full featured Chinese dictionary program which can be expanded, for a price, with additional dictionaries and lesson packs. “Trainer functionality” helps you read, write and use vocab, and lesson packs offer basic exercises based on Practical Chinese Reader.

Price: 9.99 USD, extension modules run 8-11 USD
Website | iTunes URL (opens in iTunes)

QingWen
The big advantage to QingWen is the handwriting recognition-based search. As Apple is resolutely anti-stylus, all iPhone input requires using one’s fingers, QingWen allows you to search easily and quickly by scrawling in characters, pinyin or English. If you’re online you can hear the words pronounced.

Price: 4.99 USD
Website | iTunes URL (opens in iTunes)
Works offline?

 

Chinese cities and travel
Beijing/Shanghai/Guangzhou Taxi Guide
This app is released separately for all three cities for 9.99 USD a piece (there is a similar guide for Hong Kong that costs 4.99 USD). The guides feature addresses for tons of places around each city – including quite a few hip restaurants and bars – with large fonts you can show to taxi drivers. Sounds simple but it’s a total lifesaver for travelers and newcomers to the city. Actually, with thousands of entries it’s useful for the long-term resident as well. It works offline and is updated often. Cards can also be sorted by location to find the bar or restaurant nearest to you. You can try a demo on their website.

Price: 9.99 USD (you must buy each city app separately)
Beijing: Website | iTunes URL (opens in iTunes)
Shanghai: Website | iTunes URL (opens in iTunes)
Guangzhou: iTunes URL (opens in iTunes)

City Fu
City Fu gives you access to the magazines listings and contents for Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou. The difference between the free app and the City Fu mobile website is that it grants you access to Guangzhou listings and works offline. The content is stored on your phone and updated when you connect which means unlike guide books apps it’s always up to date.

Price: Free
iTunes URL (opens in iTunes)

Beijing Air
This clever, if depressing, little app checks the air quality monitoring station installed on the US Embassy in Beijing. Sure you can get the info on Twitter but the app is much cooler.

Price: Free
Website | iTunes URL (opens in iTunes)

Beijing Taxi Cards
Although they have actual real cardboard cards, the iPhone app is way more powerful: photos, venue descriptions, phone numbers you can dial quickly (perfect for when the cab driver needs extra directions), audio for certain words and more. The main maps are downloaded to your phone so you don’t have to be online to access them. Click over to BeijingDaze for a full review.

Price: 4.99 USD
Website | iTunes URL (opens in iTunes)

ExploreShanghai Metro Map/ExploreBeijing Metro Map
Simple, cheap, devastatingly useful. These apps work like the ExploreMetro website does: you tap your starting and ending station and it tells you when the trains on those lines begin and end, what transfers you’ll have to make, how much time it should take (in Shanghai) and how much it will cost. All stations are in English and Chinese so you can show them to a driver and there is audio pronunciation as well. It all works offline which is good because you can’t always get a signal underground. Updated frequently. Hong Kong and Guangzhou versions are in the works.

Price: 0.99 USD (you must buy each city app separately)
Beijing: Website | iTunes URL (opens in iTunes)
Shanghai: Website | iTunes URL (opens in iTunes)

Miscellaneous China apps
China Menu
Over 200 photographs of Chinese dishes to get you in the mood and all the vocab you need to make it happen. Also includes information on dining customs and dialogs for 70 supper situations including how to request vegetarian or MSG-free meals.

Price: 4.99 USD
Website | iTunes URL (opens in iTunes)

China Plates
Actually not food-related, this simple free app from the creator of Beijing Air explains the characters on the Chinese license plates. We’ve covered this before on eChinacities but the app, complete with audio, is fun for when you’re on the go.

Price: Free
Website | iTunes URL (opens in iTunes)

Chanel Ready-to-Wear Paris-Shanghai 2009/10
Designer meets digital with this app. Video and photos from the Paris-Shanghai 2009/10 show – in case you want to relive the memories or somehow missed it. Looks and accessories, Chanel news and a store finder to ensure you’re never far from fashion.

Price: Free
iTunes URL (opens in iTunes)

Romance of the Three Kingdoms
The classic historical simulation at your fingertips. Haven’t you ever wanted to “Fight against the heroes of legend and unite all of China under your banner”? Or, after a long day at the office, “mercilessly crush your enemies with the raw power of Lu Bu”? Like the description on the app store stays, “The fate of ancient China is in your hands.” Literally.

Price: 9.99 USD
Website | iTunes URL (opens in iTunes)

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Related Links

China iPhone launch plans due this week
Ask a Chinese Web User About iPhone and Web Censorship
Is there any good Chinese language software for the iPhone?

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