iPhone/iPod touch Must Have Apps - Page 37 - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Buzzard · 11-10-2009, 12:39 PM

I've got the update and just did 8 without a hitch.

Russic · 11-10-2009, 01:31 PM

Well, Kermitology is going to be pissed at me again, but dammit I just have to recommend his main competitor. One of the guys on the Macbreak Weekly podcast recommended this navigator app in an article, and I am thoroughly impressed.

Motion X GPS Drive is a gps turn-by-turn navigation app. It isn't perfect. It isn't as beautiful as others, it requires a cell signal to work as it doesn't keep maps loaded on your device (which could be seen as a good thing) and at times in makes some curious decisions. Why am I recommending it? It's $3 damn dollars.

Sure you could do much better and buy a gps app in the $80-$100 range, but at 30x's the price I'm not sure they offer enough. If you're like me and want a gps app but don't actually travel a whole lot, something like this works wonderful.

Pros include full voice turn-by-turn directions. The first month is free but after that it'll cost you $3 per month for the feature. You can buy a year of it for $25. In my experience I actually prefer the voice on this app compared to my dad's standalone tom tom unit. It just seemed more obvious what needed to be done.

I also like how it has full ipod integration. It'll dim your music, deliver the instructions and then bring the volume back up. It's very easy to control your music from within the app and the whole experience is pretty painless.

It has very good re-routing which is a nice change for someone who's always used the google maps app to get around. For starters there was enough interference in my car that when I have the phone plugged in to play music the compass would never work properly, and of course the directions on the google app don't update when you veer off track.

Overall it isn't perfect, but if you're just looking for a quick and easy solution this is it. It's easily saved me the $200 I was considering spending on the TomTom app and car kit.

Pagal4321 · 11-10-2009, 01:33 PM

Uh oh...now you'll REALLY anger kermit.

Russic · 11-10-2009, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Temporary_User

So now I'm nervous to update.
Other than the possibility of losing unlimited searches and then having to pay $5. (all negative). Why would I want to update Shazam?

My current conundrum is that while Shazam Encore offers nothing that I particularly want, Shazam (free) is one of my favorite apps and it's helped me many times find not only a song I like, but entire albums. I almost feel obligated to spend the $5.

DownInFlames · 11-10-2009, 09:08 PM

So, it looks like I was wrong. I read reports on TUAW that people had issues updating, but they must've done something wrong.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Russic

My current conundrum is that while Shazam Encore offers nothing that I particularly want, Shazam (free) is one of my favorite apps and it's helped me many times find not only a song I like, but entire albums. I almost feel obligated to spend the $5.

Now that I'm sure that they're not screwing users of the free version I think I'm going to get Encore. It's such an amazing app that they deserve some cash.

FanIn80 · 11-12-2009, 04:16 PM

RedLaser is very intriguing.

I picked it up and have been playing with it for a couple days now. It doesn't work on too many grocery or household items (the Canadian support is a bit wonky right now), but it works like a charm on video games, books, etc.

Next time I go to EB to "take a look around" I'm going to scan a few bar codes before I buy anything.

Edit: They also have a downloadable SDK if anyone's interested. Note that they have developer and licensing fees if you want to actually publish an app using their SDK.

Edit: You can add your own sites too! www.redlaser.com/apps

Devils'Advocate · 11-12-2009, 05:08 PM

I bought a new wallet last night. Unfortunately, not all of my cards fit in the card pouch. However, part of the reason is all the membership cards: M&M Meat shop (yeah, I'm a vegetarian that has an M&M Meat Shops card), Subway card, Zellers points card, Blockbuster membership card, etc, etc..

Now, I heard rumours (perhaps in this thread) of an app that lets you capture these cards into the iPhone so you don't have to carry them around with you. I tried searching Google for "iPhone cards" but that wasn't very helpful. Anyone have such an app and how well does it work?

Barnes · 11-12-2009, 05:17 PM

CardStar. Haven't tried it yet.

metallicat · 11-12-2009, 05:32 PM

I have cardstar, haven't tried it either, but it is intriguing. Biggest reason I haven't tried it yet is I don't want to look like a ###### in line at Safeway handing over my iPhone.

sclitheroe · 11-12-2009, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oilers_fan

I have cardstar, haven't tried it either, but it is intriguing. Biggest reason I haven't tried it yet is I don't want to look like a ###### in line at Safeway handing over my iPhone.

Doesn't work at the Co-Op self-scan machines, so it was a no-go for me.

photon · 11-12-2009, 06:48 PM

I've tried Cardstar in a few smaller places and it worked fine, the hard part was finding the right encoding system.

Problem is I really only want to use it for those really uncommon uses like Petland or whatever, but I never think of putting it in until after, then leave it for later, forget until after, leave it again.. etc..

Russic · 11-13-2009, 09:58 AM

I was never able to get cardstar to work. Great potential, but nothing ever scanned properly.

kermitology · 11-13-2009, 10:47 AM

MotionX isn't directly a competitor other than the fact that they are in the navigation category.

Their app is bush league though :P

My app sucks right now IMO. I'm at major odds with the development team.

Bend it like Bourgeois · 11-15-2009, 08:22 PM

I didn't see mention but the Hockey Night in Canada app is pretty good.

At least as good as the score or other apps for keeping tabs on hockey.

Buzzard · 11-15-2009, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oilers_fan

I have cardstar, haven't tried it either, but it is intriguing. Biggest reason I haven't tried it yet is I don't want to look like a ###### in line at Safeway handing over my iPhone.

lol...exactly what i was thinking!

Mango · 11-15-2009, 09:28 PM

I wish more people would use Ping!. It's starting to grow on me, but only 3 or 4 of my friends have it. There's another application called WhatsApp that has a much sleeker interface than Ping! but no one seems to be using.

Any chance of Apple developing their own chat app? It doesn't necessarily have to be like BBM, but something along the lines that would allowed iPhone to iPhone messaging where the person automatically has the application pre-installed on the phone or installed in a software update like voice memo was.

FlamesKickAss · 11-15-2009, 09:31 PM

I have ping! i only know 3 people that have an iPhone so it doesnt do me much good, but I got it while it was free

Would be cool to have something like BBM on iPhone though, or BB makes an app for iPhone users to connect to BBM

jeremywilhelm · 11-15-2009, 09:45 PM

The CBC hockey app is very laggy

Russic · 11-16-2009, 10:38 AM

I would love it if the CBC app would be able to show the previous weeks coaches corner or hotstove. I love those and always miss them. I realize they are on the website but I always forget to go there, and since it's in flash I can't view it on the phone.

csnarpy · 11-17-2009, 05:44 PM

not sure if this has been mentioned but the Sirius Canada App has been released and unlike the US version, if you have a regular Sirius account, you don't have to pay.

Also, it runs like a dream!