Tom Hanks tops the App Store chart with Hanx Writer

Celebrities seem to constantly be trying to jump on the app bandwagon, and Tom Hanks has become the most recent A-lister to do so, with the Hanx Writer app, which recreates three classic typewriters on screen, sound effects and all.

Written by Hanks himself, the intro on Hanx Writer, which has already topped the App Store charts, says: “In the late ’70’s, I bought a typewriter – portable enough for world travel and sturdy enough to survive decades of ten-fingered beatings. I’ve since acquired many more – each different in design, action, and sound. Each one stamps into paper a permanent trail of imagination through keys, hammers, cloth and dye – a softer version of chiseling words into stone.

“I write without caring about typeovers, XXXX’d out words, goofy syntax, & bad spelling because the feel & sound of a typewriter is satisfying in ways that couldn’t be matched. – Until now!

“Behold, Hanx Writer – the app that provides the ease and speed of an iPad with the sound and pace of a manual typewriter. With Hanx Writer, you’ll hear the rhythm of your work with SHOOK SHOOK or FITT-FITT. You can rely on a DELETE key to correct your typos, or turn that off. Be bold and fearless!”

There is a choice of three different typewriters in Hanx Writer, and each document written in the app can be emailed, printed, and shared in a typewriter font.

While, being writers, we do love vintage typewriters, when we first heard about this app we thought it just sounded like an app that essentially lets you type on a keyboard with typewriter sound effects. However, the fact that you can print your work out does make it that bit more authentic. Only just though.

Hanx Writer is only available on the iPad at the moment, but can be downloaded here.