Are you hesitant to give an iTunes gift card? For US account holders, this happens to be a fool-proof present so there’s no need for second thoughts. What if your intended recipients subscribe to the old-school ethos? Unless they don’t have any iTunes-compatible device (iPod, iPhone, iPad, MacBook, other Apple products, and PC), they are sure to get much value from an iTunes gift card for US account.
The thing about the different apps available these days is that there is a niche that specifically targets those who crave a bit of nostalgia in these technologically advanced times. If you give your old-fashioned aunt or neighbor an iTunes card and they look like they have no idea what to do with it, why not suggest the following apps for a spell of nostalgia?
- Hanx – For those who miss the louder clacking of typewriter keys being pounded on, this app created by actor Tom Hanks recreates the experience of a manual typewriter. It’s purely for whimsy, of course. The cacophony of the typing pool of yore is something that some of us now recall with fondness. Being able to generate it for fun might be something that old school aficionados find entertaining.
- Oldies Radio – It’s easy enough to find old music to listen to online, but this app offers a really great selection of ‘50s to ‘70s stations, including ones concentrated on Elvis and on the Beatles. It has a simple and uncluttered interface with selection buttons that are easy to see and press, so it’s perfect for listeners who are not very adept at navigating a smartphone.
- Spell and Speak – If you grew up in the ‘70s and ‘80s, it’s possible that you spent a lot of time typing out cuss words on your Speak and Spell, eager to hear that voice say, “That is incorrect. The correct spelling of…” In the age of apps, there’s Spell and Speak, which is a tribute to the old game.
- Simon Says– Here’s another game many children of the ‘70s and ‘80s played. It features colorful buttons that flash on and off in patterns that get longer and longer, becoming increasingly harder to replicate. Like the old game, you get to tap the colors in the order in which they were presented.
- Rotary Phone – Present a rotary phone to children of today and they’d have no clue how to operate it. This is an item that many people feel nostalgic about, and getting to incorporate such a dialer into your smartphone is all kinds of retro fun.
Who’s to say that an iTunes gift card isn’t for them? There are apps for all kinds of interests, efficiencies, services, et cetera, so such a gift should never go to waste.