Those who own an iPad and enjoy playing ping pong will be pleased to know that there is an application for that, as the famous slogan goes. Ping Pong Battle allows the tablet computer owners to play virtual ping pong on the go. There are different game modes within the app and some are a bit easier to use than others.

Ping Pong Battle comes with the option to play with or without paddles, the paddles being an iPod Touch or iPhone. Playing without paddles involves simply tapping the small ball on the touch screen of the iPad to serve it and then make a return. This part of the game is simple and fun, allowing one player to compete against the computer or two players to battle it out using only the iPad and their fingers.

Playing either one or two-player versions of the app with paddles is much more complicated. The iPad becomes the game table and the iPod Touch or iPhone each serve as a paddle. Users need to download an app called Ping Pong Paddle for those devices in order to commence play. They then make their way through a series of steps to set up the game.

The app must be launched on the iPad and users then select their desired game mode and game table. Then, they launch the app on the iPhone or iPod Touch (and remember, two devices will be needed- one for each player). These apps will need to connect with each other using the Bluetooth option. Game playing can then commence but that is not where the complexity ends. Users need to keep the volume high because the iPad will not provide a visual indicating when it is time to hit the ball. They must also perfect their swing to hit and propel the ball far enough over the net.

Both Ping Pong Battle and Ping Pong Paddle have tutorials to help users perfect their technique but they are not very helpful. Not to mention that Wi-Fi will need to be enabled in order to view them if the Bluetooth connection drops. Though this app is graphically pleasing and fun in theory, it involves a lot of patience on the part of the user. Those who are up for it should have their iPod Touch or iPhone on hand, a friend with the same, and purchase Ping Pong Battle for $5 from the Apple App Store.