Archive for: Mobile Apps
We’ve mentioned DropBox as one of the coolest free file sharing options available in the market. And now, as most of the cool web apps, the iPhone version has been released to the public. Download it from here (iTunes link):
DropBox has a very intuitive and easy-to-use interface, using your Mac, Linux or Windows client; or even using the web interface. You can simply synchronize your files everywhere; it doesn’t matter from which computer you are connecting. And now, it won’t matter if you are using your laptop, desktop or iPhone.
Some of the other features included are:
- Possibility to use public links for your files: Instead of using rapidshare, megaupload or any other file hosting; you can upload your files to DropBox in a public folder and share it with the community.
- Usability similar with Subversion: With the local client, you can store your files in your hard drive. And every time you put files in there, they are automatically synchronized.
- 2gb of storage.
And some of the features that you can see with the iPhone app:
- Download files for offline viewing: Add files to your ‘Favorites’, and they’ll be accessible at any time.
- Take photos and videos and sync them to your Dropbox: Take a photo from your iPhone and email its public link to a friend in less than a minute.
Take a quick look:
The mobile market in all of its forms has, indeed, made a big impact around the world within the last few years. The ideas of stay always “connected” whenever and wherever, simplifying your life using a single device were just a few around. Big companies are focusing in these interconnections and technologies because, let’s face it: pays off. And Microsoft it’s no exception, this time presenting an interesting app: OneApp.
What’s the idea? This mobile app will let you access other apps like Facebook, Twitter (TweetLite), Live Messenger, games and more without actually installing them on your phone. Even though the application architecture and functionality are not revealed, seems that the small footprint from OneApp (150kb) will dynamically launch parts of the application and avoid installation or storage requirements; something like application virtualization for web apps, not a bad idea.
OneApp also includes cloud services that help offload processing and storage from the phone to the Internet, improving overall performance. But, as you may think, this mobile app it is only compatible with a few phones (at least in this first stage); here’s the list:
- Nokia 3555, 5320, 6300, 6500, 6600, E50, E51, E63, E65, E66, E71, N70, N72, N73, N78, N80, N81, N82, N85, N95, N96
- Samsung U900 Soul
- Sony Ericsson C510, C902, C905, G705,K610i, K800i, K805i, T650i, W200i, W580i, W595, W660i, W980
Are you planning in using it?
The Apple App Store is a place where you get pristine apps that are clean of any SPAM or Malware. A great place in my opinion. However, in order to keep this clean environment Apple have built up a wall made out of trained reviewers who scrutinize apps for any violation of policy before they are allowed to go live. Facebook developer Joe Hewitt said on his blog that he wants Apple to remove the screening process to make the App store more accessible to developers.
There is currently a 14 day waiting period for apps so they can be reviewed by Apple. However, this is annoying Facebook as they believe Apple are using this time to block their app from the market. Here is what Hewt said in his blog, almost criticizing the iPhone along with Apple:
Oh, but you say that iPhone apps are different, because they run native code and can do scary things that web pages can’t? Again, you’re wrong, because iPhone apps are sandboxed and have scarcely any more privileges than a web app. About the only scary thing they can do outside the sandbox is access your address book, but Apple can easily fix that by requiring they ask permission first, just like they must do to track your location.
Whether or not Apple chooses to listen is up to them. Tearing down the wall could lead to an influx of Spammers, leaving it up could further delay apps or even put off developers as alternatives become increasingly available.
Apple iTunes has always been so popular and with the launch of the iPhone iTunes has gone to the next level. Every single day Apple sells millions of dollars in the iTunes store just for iPhone applications. With so many applications being launched everyday how do you keep up? Additionally, I have always wondering how much money these applications are making developers and which applications are actually popular.
Today I stumbled across a great new site called AppShopper. AppShopper is a huge directory of all iPhone and iPod Touch applications and allows users to search through apps, find out how much they cost, and find out which applications are actually selling.
Additionally on the AppShopper blog they have great insights into applications within the app store and also all kinda of application related news there is. So if you are looking to easily find applications within the App Store, dont head over to iTunes itself, head to AppShopper.
With the iPhone and Andriod phone set to battle for mobile supremecy, mobile apps have taken off with more and more people looking to access their content on the go. iPhone has taken the lead with its App Store, which offers free and low cost apps, and has apparently sent the standard by which other competitors have designed their markets.
GPS-apps have been very popular with all types of geo-aware apps available for a variety of uses. Now imagine taking those geo-aware apps and turning it into a MMO game where players use their actual location as the point of reference for a game. That is exactly what Parallel Kingdom, set to launch later this month, will attempt to do.
Now at first glance, Parallel Kingdom does not compare to the desktop MMO’s such as World of WarCraft, but for a mobile platform, it appears to be a pretty decent entry. Naturally the designers will have to upgrade their graphics interface to get players to keep coming back, but for starters the concept is pretty intriguing. Users will utilize their current location as the basis for the game. If you are sitting in a restaurant, it will be such that the location may be inhabited with monsters or other such obstacles to overcome. Meanwhile, walking down the street or exploring nearby blocks might reveal new weaopns, treasure, and other real life peopel to interact with in-game.
The game is still somewhat limited, but future releases look to take mobile MMO to the next level. If Parallel Kingdom can find a way to attract players to return to their world, find a suitable price point, and keep the game fresh and interesting, then there is no limits as to where this game could go. The game will be free for users on both the iPhone and Android platforms upon release with a price plan coming down the road.
BlackBerry has long been in need of a refreshing user defined experience similar to what Apple users experience with the iPhone. iPhone users are able to build the phone they want with a variety of free and pay-for apps that build on the already amazing functionality of the iPhone. BlackBerry has finally decided to jump into the applications market by announcing their BlackBerry Application Center which will launch with the release of the BlackBerry Storm software version 4.7.
This will allow BlackBerry users to define their experience by picking and choosing the apps they want to add to their very functional phones. RIM’s answer may come late compared to Apple’s and Google’s application markets, but BlackBerry users are sure to jump on board this concept.
Unfortunately RIM’s successful announcement has been deflated with the launch of an unaffiliated opening of a BlackBerry app site called
BerryStore. The site boasts a growing 40 apps already for download and look to add more just in the weeks to come. The benefit of going through BerryStore is that it does not rely solely on the release of the BlackBerry Storm, but rather has apps that will work across old and new phones in the BlackBerry family.
So the question becomes, did BlackBerry just get upstaged? For those that can’t afford to make the switch or jump to the Storm, it appears an opportunity has opened up to them, which makes switching almost pointless, and puts some flavor into your existing BlackBerry.
The world is currently in fever pitch over the Beijing Olympics this summer. Do you find it hard to keep up with all the events? Do you sit at work with the shakes because you’re in detox from the night before? No longer do you have to remain in the dark. If you have a late night meeting, an event with the family, or any other distraction that takes you away from the television, trust in your iPhone to keep you connected.
There are 5 of the top rated iPhone apps for the Olympic fanatic in you:
I. iOlympic
The most comprehensive coverage of the 2008 Beijing Olympics at your finger tips. This little apps offers you categories of interest which include: General News, Most Popular News, Team News, Telemundo News Feed, Special Features. You can catch up on all the news with even further breakdowns by event and by country. Want to know the number of medals won by each country, this little app has that info too. A true heavy hitter for Olympic fans.
II. Allmysports
A great general news provider app for those looking for quick bits of news. Not as thorough as iOlympic, but definitely enough to keep you going. Keep track of schedules, athletes, medals, and various country’s performances. The interface is easy to use and good for on the go info to whet your appetite for the moment.
III. Olympic Wallpaper
Who needs stats? You already getting your fill from TV, radio, and the net? Perhaps you’re already on board with some of the Olympic apps mentioned on here. If that’s the case, then this app is for those of us that want to share the experience, not just read it. Cover your iPhone with Olympic wallpaper and show you pride for the 2008 Beijing Olympics
IV. Olympic Games 2008 Medal Count
This quick view app allows you to quickly see a country’s overall standing in all events. You can see just how many medals your country has acquired and rally them to victory!
V. 2008 Olympic Sports Feeds
Perhaps you’re a fan of some of the more obscure, untelevised events at the Beijing Olympics. No worries because this app is here for you. This app provides a very thorough news feed for almost every event being held in Beijing. The Headline News is accessible and right at your finger tips to keep you ahead of the game.
Photo Credit, Marc van der Chijis
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Mac users rejoice, the new version of Evernote has just been released. Version 1.1.4 can be updated from the “Check for Updates” command from the Evenote menu.
For a break down of what this version brings to you, read the release notes.
Evernote is an effective way of making sure you never forget your ideas. With the ability to catch your ideas no matter where they are, a napkin, online, a street sign, a window posting, capture it all with Evernote. Evernote also links across your laptop, your desktop and your mobile so you are never far from the inspiration you seek.
You can read a full review of Evernote here.
