Enigma for Android (TM) - Solve Cryptograms
Version 1.19.0 - Google's Android Operating System
Games: Brain & Puzzle
Dust off your old decoder ring and sharpen your code breaking skills. Solve cryptograms with Enigma. There are over 900 puzzles included with more coming in future updates. (I'm typing as fast as I can...)
Screen Shots
What is a cryptogram?
A cryptogram is a block of text that has been encrypted using a "substitution cipher". In a substitution cipher, each letter is replaced with a different one.
For example:
All letters A are changed to the letter Q.
All letters B are changed to the letter R.
etc.
This mapping of letters is different for each game.
Using patterns, letter frequencies, and common sense you attempt to determine the letter for which each of the encrypted letters stands.
Patterns
Using punctuation, single letter, and double letter words you can often identify or narrow down a few of the letters to start. For example, the punctuation in the following encrypted text SYD'E might lead you to believe that the E represents the letter T as you might find in the word DON'T.
Single letter words are usually going to be I or A. Double letter words, such as AN, ON, IT, OF, etc. can be useful in narrowing down that elusive letter.
Letter Frequencies
You can also gain some insight by looking at the number of times a letter occurs in the encrypted text. The letter 'E' is the most commonly used letter in the English language and it would stand to reason that it is a likely match for the most common encrypted letter. According this article, the following letters, in this order, can be used for code-breaking purposes: 'ETAONRISH'.
Of course, this is only a guideline as each author's style differs or the subject matter requires the use of less common letters.
Trial and Error
What else is there to say? At some point you will no doubt need to resort to this tried and true approach.
Application Features
The application provides several features to help you if you get stuck.
- On-Screen Navigation - Use the on-screen directional arrows to move around. Helpful if you don't have a d-pad or trackball.
- Pressing Space or Delete will clear the current letter.
- Save Game - You can save your game and come back to it if you need a break.
- Show/Hide Source - The source of the quote/text block is hidden by default. This hint will expose the source for you and hide it again to open up more screen space.
- Show Letter - When you really get stuck, this will expose the letter of your choice in the cryptogram.
- Show Puzzle - When all hope is lost, this will show you the answer to the puzzle you've been working on.
- Letter Frequency Table - Shows you the number of times a coded letter appears in the text.
- Unused Letters - Shows a list of the letters that have not yet been used in the puzzle solution.
- Showing Duplicates - Duplicate letters are shown as italicized. So, if you enter the same letter for two different codes, Enigma will show all occurrences of that entered letter italicized.
Customization Options
Enigma can be customized to your personal tastes by choosing the Preferences menu item and selecting the appropriate options.
Color Preference
Select from different color schemes. Feel free to contact me with suggestions for more.
- Original - Reminiscent of the old green screen monitors.
- The Blues - Blue is the basis of this color scheme.
- Scarlet Letters - Deep reds make this a pleasing choice.
Next Letter Preference
After entering a letter the focus will change based on your choice from the following options:
- Don't advance to the next letter. (Current/Default Behavior)
- Advance to the next letter.*
- Advance to the next empty letter.*
* When at the end of the puzzle, it won't wrap to the beginning.
Note: When the backspace/delete or space keys are pressed, the cursor will not move regardless of the preferences set.
Physical Keyboard
This application will work best with a device that has a physical keyboard. You simply have more screen space with which to see the puzzle.
Soft Keyboard
Enigma will respond to a long-press of any of the characters that make up the cryptogram to display the soft keyboard.
Additionally, Enigma will display the soft keyboard if you click on the trackball or the d-pad center button while focused on a letter.
Device Issues
For the most part, Android developers can't afford to have one version of every phone made and our development environment doesn't emulate the different physical phones, but rather the base OS. This means that we can't test all possible scenarios and, instead, rely on feedback to know what is going on in the real world. With a number of new devices announced every day, we are going to see some interesting things I believe. So, if you have a problem, I would appreciate it if you would please contact me rather than leave another comment - to which I cannot respond.
Remember, there is no way to effectively provide support via the market. Developers can't contact people who leave comments, we can't respond to comments directly, we only have 325 characters to describe the application, and so on. So, if you have an issue, try to contact me first. I would really like to have the opportunity to help you.
Notes
The Enigma Trial Edition only has 10 puzzles but is otherwise fully functional. If you enjoy the trial, please consider upgrading to the full version.
Android is a trademark of Google Inc. Use of this trademark is subject to Google Permissions.
