Archive for category iPhone Application
No creativity required….Just jump on the band wagon
Posted by Melody Adhami in iPhone Application on April 30th, 2009
So here is something that made it to techcrunch that makes me wonder whether creativity matters at all.
It seems that what you do or how you it really doesn’t matter, as long as it is the newest fad, the most recent news or some pandemic that the world is freaking out about. Ok so I get it, the swine flu is dangerous and a pandemic or epidemic would be a disaster. Even worse is the fact that the world has no borders anymore, diseases can really travel quickly. As important as all this really is, does it need an application on the iPhone. Do we really need an application to tell us the symptoms and how many people have, or have died from it. Don’t we hear about it enough on every news station? So now, not only is the application created and submitted for approval….but TechCrunch is writing about it?
The trouble isn’t that people are monetizing on this disease, but rather that creativity is no longer requird. Just look at the news, take something that is being talked about and make an app….
iPhone App review of the week-Charmin
Posted by Melody Adhami in iPhone Application on April 20th, 2009
Proctor & Gamble’s Charmin brand has launched a mobile advertising sponsorship with a company by the name SitOrSquat Inc. The sponsorship and advertisement is both on the Web site and mobile applications. The sponsorship with SitOrSquat Inc is to help people find clean public washrooms around the world. Washroom users and people using the SitOrSquat website and applications have the ability to rate bathrooms throughout the world on the go and other can use this information to select a clean washroom.
If you are not familiar with SitOrSquat, it is a service (online and mobile) that is based on user generated information worldwide. Their service allows consumers to find 55,000 bathrooms in 32 countries. Chamin brand believes that SitOrSquat is the perfect partner as they feel that they share the same mission thus making for a great partnership.
Partnership with a great brand doesn’t necessarily mean that a service is particularly successful. I think in theory the idea is perfect and I would love to find a clean bathroom everywhere I go. But what is the likelihood that I would actually go as far as looking on my application for this information when all I can think about is how badly I need to go. And even more important, once I have actually used the restroom, how likely am I to report this information. I am a bit skeptical but the idea seems interesting.
iPhone app most people don’t know about and probably don’t appreciate
Posted by Melody Adhami in iPhone Application on April 9th, 2009
Here is my favourite iPhone application of the week- AllReicpes now for the iPhone. So anyone who has ever looked up a recipe (in North America at least) will probably have seen AllRecipes website and has probably used their recipe search. They have an extensive recipe database and their site is very well organized-well as organized as a recipe site can get. I had thought about recipe search applications but when I found AllRecipes app I have to say I was very pleasantly surprised. The application is not like a typical search application and instead uses a cool rotating wheel concept to allow you to choose from a select number of categories. You can then narrow your results and look at your recipes. The application has done a great job paying attention to little details. The features that I find particularly tasteful and well done are the following:
- Ad serving is done really well. They do this during loading screens so the great thing is that you can’t avoid a load so why not fill it with some useful information or in this case some lucrative information.
- The transitions in the application are done really well. They use a fade between screens that works really well and makes the application extremely smooth as you are going through it.
- Usability is great- an example is the flagging of favourites. Similar to the delete function in mail on the iPhone, when you mark something as favourites, it folds up and drops into the favourites tab (iPhone does this with their garbage can tab and the delete function in mail)
- The illustrations and overall user interface is well done both graphically and functionally.
Overall I like the application and although I don’t often use recipe applications, I think I may put this one to more use. Come back next week for another great iPhone application of the week.
This just in: Skype is coming to the iPhone
Posted by Melody Adhami in iPhone Application on March 30th, 2009
Speculations and rumors have been flying around for months and finally the news is confirmed and is set to be announced on Tuesday at the 2009 CTIA event. That is correct folks, Skype is coming to the iPhone. The details can be found in the Wall Street Journal and the summary is as follows:
- The way it will work is that the calls will be enable for use with Wi-Fi networks and calling over the 3G network will not be enabled
- Voice calling is free to other Skype users
- Any call made to a land-line will cost 2.1 cents per minute
- The application is a native iPhone app and will be available for the iPhone and iPod touch.
- You will see SkypeIn, SkypeOut and skype Chat
Although many new exciting features will be available, there will be some enjoyed features that will not be on the iPhone and may come in the next version. Setting up a conference calling group, purchasing SkypeOut credit directly, file transferring, Skype voice mail and being able to field a second incoming Skype call are some examples of missing features.
Plastic Mobile Agency will be at the CTIA this week and we are looking forward to the full details of this news. Check back during the event which takes place April 1-3 for the event updates.
Plastic Mobile Agency’s take on native iPhone apps Vs. web apps
Posted by Melody Adhami in iPhone Application on March 30th, 2009
We all know that that you can’t have a conversation about iPhones and not mention iPhone applications but we can’t help but wonder if there is a benefit to native application vs. web applications. Our view is that there are benefits to both native and web apps and we have listed them below:
Native Application benefits:
- Distribution channel through the iPhone application store
- The application can run faster
- Richer animation and games can better be done with native apps
- There is access to GPS unit and accelerometer which are pretty cool features
- Loading time is not as long
Web application benefits:
- Cross platform as you can support multiple browsers so your handset reach can be much greater
- Build process may be less challenging as experience in web development is much greater than iPhone development
- Barrier to entry is much lower as there is no need to download the application
- No need for the users to upgrade the applications as there is no downloading
The best way to determine which suits your needs is to really focus on understanding your target audience the use of the application. If your application is a game and you really need the rich graphics and downloading is not a barrier as most gamers are accustomed to downloading then a native application is probably best. If you are a news agency and your users are vast, your target audience does not have a narrow age range or a specific technical capability level, it would probably be best to go with mobile web. Your biggest challenge with the web app would be your distribution model as there is not a specific location to find your application. You would need to put forth a great effort to drive people to your web app through online, print and other such forms of marketing.
We, Plastic Mobile Agency, often find that an analysis of the desired application against the business requirements and target audience is the best way to determine which path to follow.
Top 10 must have iPhone apps
Posted by Melody Adhami in iPhone Application on March 29th, 2009
Since I feel that one of the most prominent features of the iPhone is the ability for developers to develop native applications, I am going to start my blog with the must have apps available in the iPhone App store or on iTunes. Although I have not had the chance to go through them all and since the list of applications is constantly changing, this is really the most up to date and extensive that I have been able to come up with. Also, I live in Canada so the applications that I see and have access to may be different from others.
Facebook - Facebook is a classic and others don’t really likes to think this application should be in the top 10 but I think credit should be awarded to them because of both its success and the ease it gives users in updating and browsing through this application.
Shazam- I am sure everyone has been listening to that song they love and somehow they NEED to know what it’s called and who the artist is. Shazam does just that and then gives you other options such as finding it on iTunes. The best part of the application is that it works even in the faintest conditions.
Twinkle- With Twitter going through its massive adoption, everyone is looking for a way to update their twitter via their iPhone. Twinkle allows you to do that. The great part of owning an iPhone is that you can update your twitter from your mobile through applications and you don’t need to pay for text message.
Remote- This application allows you to control iTunes on your desktop through your iPhone. It may seem so simple but have a party, carry your iPhone and over WIFI control your music through iTunes.
Ocarina- This was one a kind when it was first released. Ocarina allows you the ability to
Motion X Poker-This is one of the better poker applications and uses some of the very cool features such as the accelerometer.
Sketches- This is an old concept brought to the new mobile channel-good old drawing. This app allows you to sketch on your iPhone or even on photos that you have taken on your iPhone.
Google Earth- I don’t think much needs to be said about this app other than Google has done it again. This application is the iPhone version of Google earth and the application speaks for it self. If you haven’t seen it…go download it.
iSteam- This is a completely useless application but I found it so amusing that it need to get mentioned. The application is launched with a screen that looks as though it is covered with steam. You can then proceed to use your fingers to draw into the steam. Once you are done drawing or all the steam has been removed, you can blow into the microphone and the graphical steam will once again form on your iPhone. Very fun and imaginative!
Urbanspoon-This is one of the first few apps that I remember seeing on the iPhone and it serves it purpose. The application detects your location (city) and then lets you search or randomly find a restaurant near by. We are in Toronto and the list seems pretty comprehensive. If anyone else in different cities has a different experience with it, we would love to know.
It seems that as time progresses, the applications become far more sophisticated and the functionality becomes far advanced. The great thing is that we are now seeing marketers starting to realize the power of iPhone applications and companies like Coke, Audi, Chanel, Ralph Lauren are using this new channel as a way to reach their customers.
-Melody Adhami