Tom Hanks designs typewriting app

Hollywood actor Tom Hanks has turned his hand to technology, creating and launching a design app that recreates the feeling of using a typewriter on an iPad.

The star, who has long been an advocate of the humble manual writing machine, joined with Hitcents to create the "Hanx Writer."

The app designs were inspired by three of the actor's vintage machines and the concept features both tactile and audio elements. Each of the ‘typewriters' available has a different typeface, with three unique fonts on offer in total.

"With Hanx Writer, you'll hear the rhythm of your work with shook shook or fitt-fitt," explains Hanks.

Texts created using the app can be emailed, printed and shared. There are three options available -- the Hanx Prime Select, which is free, the Hanx 707 and the Hanx Golden Touch, whch cost €2.69 each.

All three are available exclusively for iPad.