April 1, 2012 (Vol. 32, No. 7)
URL:
http://bit.ly/H3hWzt
Rating:
Strong Points: Nice graphics, customizable viewing options
Weak Points: None
Platform:
iPad/iPhone
Cost:
Free
Summary:
Everybody knows that science textbooks (or any textbooks, for that matter) are notorious for their high prices. Thus, it is always refreshing—and a bit exhilarating—to come across entire free texts. This is exactly what the Life Science app by the University of Tokyo provides—a complete and completely free science textbook, in a handy app format. The book contains 12 chapters that cover material such as gene expression, cell organelles, metabolism, and cell differentiation. Users can customize the font, font size, and font color, as well as background color. Bookmarks may also be added to specific pages. This is a professional, polished textbook, complete with illustrations and problem sets. This is a great resource for students and anyone looking for a nice introduction to cell biology. And at this price, it’s an absolute steal!