he more coined the term "ambient"... and "Ambient 1" is totally overrated anyway. "Ambient 4" was and is still completely awesome.

x23

The concept reminds me of Electroplankton on the Nintendo DS.

lilcrow

Just played with bloom for 15 minutes straight. Thanks, Giz.

senorbelly

Why don't devs make a free version of their apps so we can try-before-we-buy?

I'm not going to drop $4 on something until I can play with it. All I'd need is a 30 second demo.

Maybe Giz can post a video? Please?

FlashSandbox

Should add some percussion as you shake it, that'd be hot.

UofITom

Damn it Gizmodo, why'd you have to write about this?

I saw this and although it sounds awesome attempted to ignore it because I'm cheap and didn't want to drop $3.99.... now I just might have to go back on that :P

Keebler

Love the concept, but I'm not sure it's fully compatible with my iPod Touch. It works, but I get a constant clicking that's indicative of the processor getting overtaxed. This a problem for anybody else?

The MMA Pink Hair Dye Intern

Here's two minutes of Bloom in action:

+ Watch video

Pretty chill. I wonder where else you can take it?

electrikecho

@lilcrow: Just what i was thinking.

WildWon

Ah Eno, going from U2 to Microsoft to Apple.

What world dominating entity will he create for next?

jibbly

No, no, I just have something in my eye...stop looking at me!

Chatty

Boooring.... and besides its been done a million times before.

baandoptager

@jibbly:

Remember on Macs running OS9 (and possibly earlier versions) that little "chime" you heard when you booted up the machine? Brian Eno made that sound for Apple, got paid a $1,000,000 for it.

So Eno has worked for Apple before, probably has been for the last 15 years or so.

stereobot

This is like the most perfect app ever for me, I almost orgasmed reading about it.

I didn't have the app store in mind at all when I wanted the ipod touch, but there are surprisingly a large number of very useful and fun apps there, most are only $1-$2.

stereobot

I am psyched for this.

StartingAces

Uniqueness is a condition. You either are unique or you aren't; things aren't more unique than other things. It's like saying someone is the most pregnant woman ever.

That said, I can't wait to download Bloom.

monkeyrotica

@x23: I actually prefer Ambient 1. My favorite album of his is still Apollo though. That thing is an absolute masterpiece.

Where Eno goes I follow, so I'm picking this up right now.

Marcelo

it would be cool if you could save your creations

MrBlahBlah

@stereobot: I think it's the same chime still, on OS X. He did that? that's cool! It's classier than the windows XP logon sounds.

kzooguy

I just bought this and it's totally worth the $4. It's concurrently relaxing, fun, and stimulating - perfect for all you ADD sufferers out there (like myself).

On a side note, I left it alone and I swear it started playing selections from the Blade Runner soundtrack.

jopari

@MrBlahBlah: I think the point is that you're making a one-of-a-kind thing that can't be replicated.

jopari

perfect to put me to sleep!! if that's what your looking for.

cre8design

@kzooguy: Eno did not make that chime, nor was he paid a million dollars for it. He does do the windows logon sounds and has done so since 95.

[musicthing.blogspot.com]

Marcelo

As if getting stoned and watching my "Lathe" iTunes screensaver wasn't enough.

ILikeMacsWhatAboutIT

@electrikecho:
Thank you for that, now I'm going to waste 4 dollars because that vid was really cool

Juxmodo

@baandoptager: really? show me five examples.

phlavor

"one of the greatest musical minds of our time"? Oh please, how much did Eno pay you to write that?

Ambience music is to music what ambient lighting is to television. Brian Eno = Zzzzzzz

EricAlder

@EricAlder: you are clearly not able to see things in perspective, only from your "now" point of view.

sos10

@UofITom: thanks for the tip Paris

The Chad

@jopari: ... and your magic word for the day is: Vangelis

rockrabbit

Is it me or does this sound like the long walkway music between the B and C gates at the O'Hare airport?

Kimistry

@x23: ambient 1 is overrated? you are insane.

lostarchitect

After a few hours, I have to say this is absolutely amazing. If you're into ambient music, get this.

StartingAces

@EricAlder: Eno is more than ambient music. Listen to his pop solo albums. Or the work he did with Bowie or the Talking Heads. Eno is one of the most important figures in modern music, whether you appreciate ambient music or not.

Adam Frucci

@EricAlder: Learn some recent music history, and you just might get a concept of how profoundly influential Brian Eno's been on modern music. You don't have to like his music, but it's ridiculous to refuse to acknowledge his influence on the shape of music today.

Ubik2501

Okay, see I saw this and got real excited, thinking someone had ported the flash game "Boomshine" to the iPhone. Now THAT would be worth downloading, no matter the price.

Crap....now that I've spoken of the Boomshine, I must go play....damn addicting games!

dwarfgoat

took the four dollar plunge. Hooked. It's gorgeous. simple. Better than having a gallon of gas, that's certain.

ohjohnsmall

I think I'll buy this, despite the fact that Brian Eno destroyed the Talking Heads (yea, that's right, I said it...).

bobvilla

@bobvilla: a little more customization would be nice...I hope ableton makes an app soon.

bobvilla

@bobvilla: I love this thing...time to reevaluate my Eno opinions.

bobvilla

Hey Kimistry is that a knowing remark about Brian Eno or coincidence? He did produce an album titled "Music for Airports". Eno rocks in a completely non-rocking way.

ohjohnsmall

Brian Eno is one of my favorite artist. However, the "father of ambient music" is Eric Satie with his Musique d'ameublement.

NicleT

This is the first app I paid for since getting the phone at launch. Damn you Gizmodo. It is addictive as hell.

shalegac

More cowbell!! More cowbell!!

airmanchairman

@ohjohnsmall:
"Eno rocks in a completely non-rocking way"
U2's Joshua Tree album, produced and engineered by Brian, may beg to slightly disagree..

airmanchairman

@The MMA Pink Hair Dye Intern: Just to revisit, it seems this program has some issues with iPod Touch firmware 2.1. Still usable, but the crackling is excruciating for what is otherwise a hypnotic app.

The MMA Pink Hair Dye Intern

You're thinking of AMBIENT 1: MUSIC FOR AIRPORTS.

Jaze

I'm using it with 2.1 on a 16GB iPhone 3G, no probs.

Jaze

When you shake it, you reset the tune pattern.

Jaze

You are a cheap MF!!!!!! You spend that on one beer,coffee,burger,taco,RedBull---way more! I do think a 30 second demo would be great. Just like iTunes. But it is not and in any event you should want to support the ton of work this was to make such a fine thing. Besides if you are in any way (1%) into this style of music,it's Eno dude,WTF! NOTHING is free.Get over it and start paying your way like everybody else.

Music making breakthroughs for 2008
1. Yamaha Tenori-On
2. Bloom@FlashSandbox:

macbob1

I can only join the general praising, alas, there's a minor issue, yesterday, it all worked fine, today, I synced some new apps, and now bloom has some sort of "crackling" sound with the drops, it occasionally disappears, but then comes back with a vengeance, would be nice, if that could be get done with ... deleted and reinstalled, but nothing helps, and so far, no support for this app, I hope an update will be around the corner soon!

or if someone here could help, greatly appreciated

barbino

Bought the app. They need to add a few instrument selections and allow you to save loops. Not too much more though, its beautiful in its simplicity.

Oneon1isto

I've been feeding this into ableton, and I've got to say it's a lot of fun. My only really major complaint is that the note velocity is too slow. Once recorded into ableton, i can correct this, and all is well. But if it weren't for that lack of customization, this could be a sweet lil live instrument.

bobvilla

@lostarchitect: it is overrated. i don't dislike it. not at all. i like it. i just think it is overrated. ambient 4 is considerably better. same with apollo (like marcelo said)...

basically on eno releases... ambient 1 is a bit down the list. like 4 or 5. not "bad"... just not his absolute best. IMO obviously.

x23

@Kimistry: @Kimistry:

Kimistry, your spot on. Also reminds me of the walkway to the satellite terminal at Detroit.

sparomn