later that day...
The iTunes App store has opened and there are at least two Flashcard programs. An interesting Japanese dictionary, cheap and free manga, text readers that can deal with Japanese, a Touch version of iLingo, what looks like the Japanese train timetables! and a utility for looking up Japanese zip codes.
Presumably there will be more goodies as the store expands.
Now all I need is a Touch (or iPhone) and a top up of my Japanese store credits...
edit/update...
following a link out of the store, owners of older iPods might be interested in this
http://www.flashmybrain.com/ipod-flash-cards.php
A very stylish looking program. They are one of the two developers offering a flashcard program for the Touch.
yet another edit/update...
Having bought Flash My Brain (on a bit of a whim) I'd recommend people to be cautious over parting with money for this program. If I had access to their forums before buying I wouldn't have. There are many many unanswered posts, what seems like a complete lack of support and a sizeable number of threads about getting refunds (purchasing through the Google Checkout makes a refund more likely, Paypal isn't interested.) . The last post from the admin was in February.
It's a pity because it does have potential if the developer would only pay some attention to his/her customers. The on-line demo seemed fine. The app itself, well it has some small issues (so far) but I now think there's no hope of them being improved.
It'll be interesting to see if similar problems arise on the Touch version and what responsibility Apple will take for the software it's reselling.
It's no way to run a business. 溜め息