Extentia Information Technology today announced the launch of its first iPhone application: iWordCards.

iWordCards is an iPhone/iPod Touch application designed for those learning to read and those wanting to expand their vocabulary and reading speed. The simple-to-use interface is suitable for children and adults alike, and enables learners to get started quickly.

There are two main versions of the application: iWordCards Lite (a free version) and iWordCards Max (a paid-for version).

iWordCards Lite includes a word list with 20,000 standard English words. These words are displayed on screen for a user-selectable period of time on screen, helping learners to build vocabulary. Customization options enable users to adjust the maximum length of displayed words, as well as the application look and feel.

iWordCards Max also includes a number of extra features, including support for additional word lists, anagrams, ‘jumbled’ words, individual learner profiles and web integration for dictionary definitions.

In contrast to many iPhone applications, iWordCards serves an educational purpose in addition to being entertaining. Expert English trainer Farhad Desai (from www.expertenglishteacher.com) explains: “The App Store includes a lot of novelty applications. That’s fine, but iWordCards is genuinely useful. The iPhone has massive potential as an educational tool – and here is an application that realizes that potential.”

Extentia already has significant experience in developing mobile applications for a range of platforms. However, this is the first time that the company has released software for the iPhone.

In order to add the application to the official iPhone App Store, Extentia had to pass Apple’s strict quality control provisions.