One of the many things I love about the smartphone app instagram is that it treats everyone with an open playing field. Yes, there are first-timers and seasoned professionals all in the mix. The beauty of that is we're all in the same collective simply feeding off one another. Bound by a little square format and handful of filters. What comes from that is some incredibly inspirational photography for me to witness...
If you're into digital photography, you own and iphone and enjoying social networking you MUST create and account on instagram. This free application allows user to photo, filter, title, tag and upload photos. Additionally, it allows users to comment and discuss the photos. Since its enception it's been a very open community, so it's not suprise when it creators established an open API for developers to create add-ons and functionality for instagram users...
Verizon or AT&T? I can tell you that I've course had countless complaints about AT&T's service throughout the time that I've had my iPhone. I can also confidently say that the product as outweighed any complaints that I might have had during that time. As far as the tool, being the iPhone, I once heard it said from a T-Mobile rep in the (Birmingham AL, Galleria) mall that "it's good for games and such" -- well I would have to say that's ludicrous. As any hard core smart-phone user will tell you that ANY phone at this level is a business, personal and social extension of who you are. To say I only use it for games is like saying I only using my TV to see the weather. But I digress.
So should you switch providers? Here's what we know:
Existing AT&T customers who want to switch carriers will need to purchase a new device -- and they'll face early termination fees of up to $325 to break an ongoing contract.
You can't talk and use data on the Verizon iPhone. Verizon's CDMA network only allows one at a time. You can do this on AT&T.
The antenna on the Verizon iPhone is slightly different. Does that mean it's a better antenna? Does it fix the "Antennagate" problem? It's too early to tell. We have photos for you here.
The Verizon iPhone acts as a mobile hotspot. Verizon will let you share your 3G connection with up to five users. No word yet on pricing.
Verizon's iPhone will not work overseas. There's no GSM in the Verizon iPhone, so it won't work internationally. Apple's Phil Schiller confirmed this with us earlier.
Data plans will probably be different. There's still no word whether or not Verizon will offer unlimited data for the iPhone. AT&T's highest plan caps data at 2 GB. (Early reporting says Verizon has a $30 uncapped monthly plan versus AT&T's $25 monthly plan.) ~ COMPARISON: Verizon Vs. AT&T iPhone
I see no real compelling items within this list that would make me jump ship at this time. I will say that any network is going to face issues and with the bandwidth vortex that is the iPhone and will more than likely bog any network infastructure. To what degree reamins to be seen.
Now if you start changing the iPhone itself you might compell me to leave. That being said here's a couple if things that immidately come to mind that I would like to see:
We're always battling at work with the issues of form vs. function and mobile vs. applicational when we have a need within the space. See the following presentation that walks you through a fair share of the planning portion prior to prototyping and development.
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Brightkite: is a location-based social networking website that is available on any mobile device. Users "check in" at places by using text messaging or one of the mobile applications and they can see who is nearby and who has been there before. The service was created in 2007 by Brady Becker, Martin May and Alan Seideman who previously founded the SMS notification service Loopnote.
Pro's: Nice interface and it good social features. Group text is intriguing.
Con's: Less 'game play' then I've come to expect. Feels like it needs a lot more to stay competitive.
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Friends Around: Friends Around is a mobile app for interacting with friends 24/7 across social networks without being tied to a computer. It’s a free iPhone app developed by Zila Networks LLC, a Miami based start-up.
Pro's: A lot of rating based feedback from uploaded photos.
Con's: Cumbersome to add new people and just not that much fun yet. I relies that the mapping function [should] be cool but it's too early for engagement. This app too needs to get more feature rich to compete I'm affraid.
Side Note: I did see a lot of late teen - early twenties male demo on this at an NFL game I checked into this weekend. I'm not sure what, if anything that means.
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Waze: Waze is a social mobile application providing free turn-by-turn navigation based on the live conditions of the road.
100% powered by users, the more you drive, the better it gets.
Pro's: This is a turn-by-turn GPS application yes, it's also a bit of social gaming. What I LIKE about Waze is it combines the intelligence of Trapster and adds a dash of game play. You unlock points and seniority by the amount of mileage you drive while using it, that's a bit of a pro and con to me.
Con's: There's a lot going on. They could invest in some UI testinging as well. Also, rule number one with wayfinding, name it what everyone else names it. Don't call "Directions" "Drive To" call it directions and everyone (mainly me) will be happy.
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Whrrl: Whrrl 3.0 is a social location-based game to get people out into the world trying new things. Users become members of "Whrrl Societies" based on their real-world passions. As of August 2010, there were more than 3,000 Whrrl Societies. Whrrlers earn "influence points" as they try new things themselves and successfully inspire others to try things, and they share ("prove") their adventures by sharing photos and text with friends and other Society members.
Pro's: First, the app looks and responds beautifully. Elegant animations and transition screens abound. It's powered by BING.com which proves to offer a lot of initial data respectively. The app's a bit advanced to a user unaccustomed to a check-in environments. As you're checking in, it's making you a founder to established locations and creator of societies of influence. Very cool, but a bit heady given that you're new to proximity based (location based) applications.
Con's: A lot to take on if it's your first but I don't have any outstanding fails – yet.
App additions from previous post are:
"Blogs & Magazines" now has the addition of:
App: TED
Rating: ✩✩✩✩ (out of 5)
What is it?: TED is a video bank of speakers from various leaders and in their respective fields.
Cost: Free
Comments: This is wonderful resource is filled with equally wonderful minds, talking on topics from social media, technology to sculpture.
The contents of my "Design Folder" is as follows:
App: What The Font
Rating: ✩✩✩ (out of 5)
What is it?: This tool allows you to select a unknown fonts from graphics and it will reference it and suggest possible matches.
Cost: Free
Comments: This is a great tool, especially for trying to figure out specialty fonts.
App: Color Expert
Rating: ✩✩✩✩✩ (out of 5)
What is it?: This versatile tool allows you to make endless color combinations, shoot a photo and isolated a color to the pixel as well as other functions.
Cost: $9.99
Comments: This is totally worth the $10 bucks. I love this app.
App: Alltop - Design
Rating: ✩✩✩ (out of 5)
What is it?: This is a feeds aggregator for the AllTop.com website specializing in posts about design
Cost: Free
Comments: Solid feed app with very topical information from a diverse array of content providers.
App: Font Combinations
Rating: ✩✩✩✩ (out of 5)
What is it?: A great little tool that shows various font combinations in basic layouts.
Cost: $1.99
Comments: Starting in design or just need a shot of creative inspiration, this is a good app to have.
App: Vectips
Rating: ✩✩✩ (out of 5)
What is it?: A decent resource for all things vector graphics related.
Cost: Free
Comments: While I draw from it often I do like to check out Vectips content to stay current and updated.
App: World Grafic Design
Rating: ✩✩✩ (out of 5)
What is it?: This is a portfolio site that allows you to review a myriad of world-class designers.
Cost: Free
Comments: Good tool for quick reference, inspiration and freelance talent.
App: Typo Junkies
Rating: ✩✩✩✩✩ (out of 5)
What is it?: A great font resource for education, trends and entertainment.
Cost: Free
Comments: Be sure to check out the media resource, great video content for all you font lovers.
App: Workbook
Rating: ✩✩✩ (out of 5)
What is it?: Another portfolio site but it also expands to photographers and illustrators as well as other talent.
Cost: Free
Comments: Good tool for quick reference, inspiration and freelance talent.
Who doesn't need a "Shopping & Lifestyle" folder in their iPhone?
App: SnapTell
Rating: ✩✩✩✩ (out of 5)
What is it?: This amazing little app allows you to shoot a photo of a product, it then searches the internet for cost comparisons based on the products image.
Cost: Free
Comments: I find this a great tool for videos, books and games. Be sure to shoot the box cover, just shooting a photo of the product will probably render no results.
App: Starbucks Mobile Card
Rating: ✩✩ (out of 5)
What is it?: This app provide a barcode to your online credit account and allows for product purchase.
Cost: Free
Comments: Most Starbucks that are not located in Target stores however do not have the proper scanning devices to make it work. I'm sure this will be resolved over time.
App: Walgreens
Rating: ✩✩ (out of 5)
What is it?: A great app for those of us on more meds' than Christmas.
Cost: Free
Comments: Punch in your script' number, select your Walgreens and wah-lah! Done.
App: Target
Rating: ✩✩✩ (out of 5)
What is it?: It's Target's products in an app.
Cost: Free
Comments: Not rocket science.
App: Craigslist
Rating: ✩✩ (out of 5)
What is it?: This is the free [actual] Craigslist app.
Cost: Free
Comments: This app is about as no-frills as the actual Craigslist.
App: CraigsPro+
Rating: ✩✩✩✩ (out of 5)
What is it?: A more robust Craigslist app that allows for alerts and additional functionality.
Cost: $.99
Comments: A must have for Craig-junkies.
App: eBay
Rating: ✩✩ (out of 5)
What is it?: Ebay's website in a non-handy app-like version.
Cost: Free
Comments: It is what it is.
App: Amazon.com
Rating: ✩✩✩✩ (out of 5)
What is it?: A great application representing the endless hole that is one of the web's oldest.
Cost: Free
Comments: A must have if your going to shop with your phone.
Thursday, March 31, 2011 at 11:46AM