by Michael Mehlberg

Created on: January 18, 2009

Ambiance, available on the iTunes app store for $.99, is a tremendous iPhone or iPod sleep aid with a myriad of features. In short, Ambiance is a background noise application, using high quality sound clips which seamlessly repeat to provide soothing background noise to the listener. Dozens of available sound effects are available including but not limited to a forest, a waterfall, a campfire, and thunderstorm. These, and other sound clips such as white noise, pink noise (different types of static) provide exactly the background some people need to concentrate or fall asleep.

Using this sleep aid could not be easier. Simply start the Ambiance application by touching the icon from the iPhone or iPod Touch home screen. Ambiance starts up in a few seconds presenting the user with a pleasant interface including the main control: a rolling list of sound effects. Scrolling to the sound of choice and touching the large, friendly button labelled "Start" kicks off the high quality sound, seamlessly playing it until the user closes the app or touches the "Stop" button. Additional features include combining sound effects, adjusting volume, and a countdown timer which shuts off the audio after a specified period of time; perfect for preserving battery after Ambiance has lulled the user to sleep.

And if the main goal of using this app is to fall asleep, it will not disappoint. Relaxation comes easy when combing sounds and listening to a campfire in a forest, or to waves as they crash into the beach. With Ambiance, sitting on a noisy plane, living near a highway, or just sitting next to a chatty co-worker is no longer a problem. Start up the app with one or more sound effects, pop in your earbuds, and your off to a deep slumber (though I don't recommend sleeping next to a chatty co-worker on the job).

While this application can assist in falling asleep, some have found additional benefits of this application include increased focus, and better concentration. I've certainly found this to be true in quiet locations such as a home or office, where a moderately loud noise or "ding" from an email program can snap my attention away from the task at hand. The high quality sound effects repeating into my headphones give my brain something to listen to in the background while I focus on the task in front of me, not allowing me to be distracted by outside sounds.

In short, Ambiance is a high quality, full featured, inexpensive iPhone or iPod sleep aid which will not dissapoint. It comes highly recommended by the author and the thousands on the iTunes store whom have downloaded it since its release.

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