Ok, I know I am in the middle of a series on iPhone apps...and we will continue that series...but for just a moment let's talk about the other real player in this market.  Android, notably the Motorola Droid.  Yes as much as we all hoped RIM would make the Storm (btw, if you have experience with the Storm2, post a comment and tell us what you think) into something - no go.  Then we all wanted the little guy, well the first guy to market - Palm...the Pre looked so promising, small, keyboard and touch screen, run multiple applications at once: failure...simply because as they copied and improved the form factor...Apple changed the game...."its about the apps stupid."

But don't fear, soon there will be an app store everywhere.  Ugh, can't wait to see how Apple will zig.

Google released Google Googles (GG) {on Android ONLY for now, not that I can blame them}.  Hopefully by now you have read some of the great reviews.   If not, do so, it's worth it.

So my take is unscientific, just a guy who is really interested in this space.  Here we go:

The Google Goggles core concept:  Visual Search - Just like we can search for information by typing in text or as in the Google iPhone App [Free] you can search with your voice by speaking into your phone.  Now you can search for what you see, via the camera, as a still picture, or even via live video.  Google Goggles does an image match and within seconds, you get the info about that object.  Think of some of the possibilities.  Business card scanning - now you truly connect, digitally.  Art and landmark information?  Awesome, you can connect the virtual summation of the world (also known as Google) and attach it to your reality.  That's the definition of cool!  

So you maybe thinking, why does Google care?  It's very simple if Google knows what you want, they can sell that information to advertisers.  They know you have an immediate need.  Is that bad? Heck no, it saves you time and gives your relavent information.  Remember what we did in the past when we needed to make a purchase?  What did we do in the past?  Drive by?  Use the Yellow Pages (Rest In Peace).  The concept is brilliant and it helps us.  (Now we all need to be adults and make our own decisions - it's just advertising, don't let it be brain washing.)

Local (as in: right in front of you) business information.  See what they have...see what others have to say (is the rumor true, did Google buy Yelp?)...hmmmm perfect match.  It's all very open and clear.  I believe it's a win-win...now if that changes (i.e.. if Google becomes evil), we make a change - vote with our businesses.  

The bottom line:  This is software/hardware to the next level.  We have some amazing minds among us, seems smart to leverage this new technology to improve your business.

What are your thoughts?  How will this effect your business?  Post a comment.

  Hearts - (sorry I couldn't find the link)

Ok, it's human nature to have a guilty pleasure....Hearts is one of mine!  Whenever I get a few minutes....Hearts...fast, into the action, decent AI.  Need an Internet version. 

Facebook -  Download from iTunes

Love or hate it, Facebook is a big deal.  If you buy in, grab this free app and stay connected.  

Tweetie -  Download from iTunes (latest version)

To Tweet or not to Tweet, that is the question.  An interesting tech meme that made it mainstream...a nice 15 minutes.  It's almost back to normal so us tech friendly folks can have it back.  Really don't need this app, IM+ works just as well, but I am still fond of it, it's very well put together, in fact the latest version (2) looks even better...I may drop the few bucks just to show my vote for great UI.

  FuelGauge - Download from iTunes

Not sure why, but with my current car I seem obsessed with gas mileage (getting 16-17 reallyMPG and I drive it like it should be driven).  Give you something to do while the gas is pumping. 

YouTube - 

An interesting thing I learned from those (much) younger than I am.  YouTube is a great resource...Google has made it just like Google.  As I have seen with the young kids, you can go search YouTube first...find what you are looking for and find the answer...in Video.  Very cool (really no one else is new to this?). 

LogMeIn -  Download from iTunes

Let's be clear - this is one of the most expensive apps I have ($29.99).  Is it worth it...heck yes.  With this app you can remote into another computer...from your phone.  You get full control of that machine.   Here is is my recent real life experience

I was recently in South Carolina in route to my youngest sister's wedding.  I was about two beers down, out in the middle of a lake after a few great water ski runs (ok, they weren't that great, but I did get up!).  I received a text from a monitoring service I have that a services on a client's server was failing.  I was able to pull up this app, log in securely restart that service and prevent any customer facing outage.  Is it worth $30?  I think so.

iTunes - 

OK this one is funny.  Obviously all iPhones come with (in fact you can't remove it) iTunes.  It's kinda how this whole "i" world economy was created...Music.  I have to admin, music is not the most frequently used function of my iPhone...but everyone once in a while, I hear something I think I want it...boom.  It's done.  Works very well.

MileBug -  Download from iTunes

Hmmm, ok a bit of a quandary here.  Logging your miles sucks.  I am sure I am losing thousands of dollars by not logging miles.  So is this the iPhone App to the rescue?  Nah, I don't think so.  Maybe it's the overwhelming dislike for logging miles that's leaking into this app for me, but since I know I don't like it, I want an app that helps me do it, without the pain.  This app doesn't measure up there.  If you know of a good one please post it in the comments.

Voice Memos -  Download from iTunes

Cool...I guess.  Well at least that was my first reaction.  I mean, EverNote is awesome a voice memos...with all the EverNote goodness.  Then I was in a meeting recently, with a professional of mine and I wanted to make sure I truly understood each word.  At the start of the meeting I asked his permission to record and away it went.  That night I was able to listen to the words as I reviewed my notes.  Very powerful.

IM+ -  Download from iTunes

Maybe IM is getting long in the tooth, but wow is it handy.  I love having an app that plugs into all my IM accounts (personal and business).  Sometimes voice is too much, quick question via IM is key.  Now I do realize that a lot of traffic that as on IM is now in SMS.

GV Mobile - 

This one is just for sentimental value.  I don't use it and I know you can't get it.  I don't understand the issues around the iPhone and Google Voice.  I can tell you this, Google Voice is outstanding.  I would highly recommend getting a Google number! (I might have an invite left).

StayInTouch -  Download from iTunes

Ok, let me just say, everyone is in sales.  Like it or not, we need to interact with others and we all benefit greatly from those interactions. But if you are like many computer geeks, you don't always think about the 'staying in touch' humans need.  So the idea behind Staying In Touch is perfect.  It's what we all need, a schedule on when you 'randomly' stay in touch.  It's a great way to improve relationships.  Unfortunately the implementation is not very good.  If anyone has something meets this need, please post in the comments. 

TripCase -  Download from iTunes

Wether  you travel all the time, once in a while or just have to pick someone up at the airport...Trip Case is for you.  It's no wonder it hits the mark, it's from Sabre...you know the travel company...good stuff.

SalesForce -  Download from iTunes

This one is a no brainer.  If you use SaleForce, get this app.  Dashboards, Opportunities and Contacts.  Good stuff.

Receipt -  Download from iTunes

This one is very similar to MileBug....I don't like the process of expense reports...so when I add an application I want it to make that process much easier.  This app does that, but just not much more than I can do with my scanning process at home.  On the right path, but we need to add a little more magic.

Continued

Wow, that was a big post.  The feedback I was getting was to do a page at a time so today was a full page.  Please use the comments help us make it better.

If you didn't get here from page 4 head on back.  Or start at the beginning.

  Google - Download from iTunes

Gotta love the Google App.  Well done, I have a few Google accounts so that is very helpful.  I recommend it.  I had hoped to see more pop up in the apps, but I am not seeing them.  Maybe Google Voice will land here?  Keep it up guys.  It's a good gateway. 

reQall - Download from iTunes

Hmmm....it sure seems amazing...you can just talk to it, and it's off working for ya.  Somehow I still seems unsure.  It seems to work overall, but I don't like being between ToDo lists (btw these are the Bain of my life so you will see a lot of other posts (series).  Please comment if you have played with reQall and let us all know.  Share :)

Percents -        Download from iTunes

Ok, let's be very clear here.  I loved this app BEFORE I become a sales guy!  This thing just rocks.  To see what a 28% discount or markup does is amazing.  What's the percent difference between $45,382.87 and $49,873.90?  Ok, stop trying; the answer was there is a 9.90% increase in the second number.  Or as they put it.  grew by 9.90%   Sweet!

Things -                      Download from iTunes

Things is a todo, GTD type of thing.  Sweet interface, does what it says...but as I alluded to above in reQall, todo for me right now is a challenge.  We will have many posts on this...I really want to know what works for you and how...ugh.

Btw, it is still my kinda default on todos. (so if I owe you something, I am sorry, I am sure I have it written down somewhere, but I don't know when I will see it...email me again :)

Zillow -  Download from iTunes

Ok, let me be professional here...zillow is a great app, it gives you up to the second data on sales and how they estimate the current value.  Nice

but...there is another side...a sneaking side...you are at a dinner party at a nice place...on the way the restroom, you press zillow...then the locate me button....wow, when you finish in the bathroom, there is the current value of the place you are in.  Nice...when you set your goals in life, you get more than bonus points from actually seeing your goals, you achieve your goals.

Continued

Whew, ok folks, that is page one (I am sure you are thrilled Apple limits the amount of pages we get).

Let me have your feedback in comments so I can see how this is working and if you like it. 

If you didn't get here from page 3 head on back.  Or start at the beginning.

Clock - 

I have a boss in AZ and Corporate in MO, family in Texas, South and North Carolina as well as California, oh and a business partner in VA...nuf said (oh yeah and count down and timers too).

    Weather -

Nice, does what expected (which we all take for granted now that the Internet provides us exact weather data any time we want it, but it's nice to have it on the phone).  I use it for NV, AZ, TX, SC and CA

Settings -             

I have to say, you should be playing in Settings.  Not too much damage you can do in there but be careful.  We will have a separated series on Settings to be fair.

App Store -                              

Hmmm in there lots of times per day.  It's a great way to discover  :)  and buy and play on the spot.

Key tip - Share with a friend...nice.

EverNote - Download from iTunes

Wow, well ask anyone that knows me, I am a huge raving fan of EverNot.  Cool folks, outstanding product and blossoming community.  There will be many series on EverNote (not to mention their blog and podcast <insert two hyperlinks here>).  What I can and will say strongly here - It's so worth your time, it's free and it will change your life.  Ask any of my converts.  It works. 

More to come, we will have series on document management, simple remembering, audio, documents, passwords, everything goes in EverNote.

Continued

Whew, ok folks, that is page one (I am sure you are thrilled Apple limits the amount of pages we get).

Let me have your feedback in comments so I can see how this is working and if you like it. 

The next page is up here

If you didn't get here from page 2 head on back or skip to the beginning.

Back to my iPhone, what's one it, why do I like it, do I use it.  Here we go!!!!

Apple's built in Spotlight

You are on your home screen, you swipe once right and you have the glorious black screen with the search box.  This, is your friend.  Sure you can quickly find ANY info about a Contact, but I use it for an App launcher (mind you I have pages and pages of apps), Type in Ye and get Yelp...press to launch.  Very cool, built in and FREE.

Messaging

SMS - It's for kids right?  Nope, I use it everyday for business and home.  Stay in touch with my partners, clients, and family.  Great stuff.  I recommend the unlimited plan. UPDATE:  We have MMS now!!

The interface Apple provides is a conversation.  So when someone you don't write to often, send you a text, you have the whole history there.   You instantly remember.  Nice.

Calendar -

Gotta have it and for the most part it does a good job.  I have Exchange integration, gMail, etc, all works very well.  It's as expected...but I expected more.  Something to wow (like Maps).

Photos -

Built it, works great.  Nice new additions like sending multiple pics out in an email.  Nice to see development is still going on.

Camera - 

Wow, could have and should have a full post on this.  To sum it up today - Outstanding focus.  Not only put the subject in focus, but does a white balance as well.  Sweet.  Oh yeah and now there is video...yep, video, audio, even some editing!  Nothing to compare to, (although Hitchcock looks interesting).

Calculator -          

Works as advertised.

Maps -

The hidden gem.  Maps are maps and so much more.  When you open maps, you can have the application find you (via GPs and WiFi).  Sure you can press the Locate Me button again and use your compass to see what way on the map you are face (pretty cool).  Yes you can do all the cool stuff, add satellite images or my favorite mode - hybrid  (the best of both worlds).  All cool stuff!

BUT the power of Maps it Geo-specific search.  The app can use your location for retuning Google search results.  So you are out of town and hungry...tell maps where you are by pressing a button, then type food (or get crazy and say Italian Food).  Google does a search of food 'around you’.  That is what I call rele

vant search results.  Very nice.  Now Google is not doing this for fun, they can also serve, geo-relevant ads...and to be honest, those are the only ads I wanna see!

You can use this search, and then linked results in many ways, I often find a nearby restaurant, press the phone number and make a call to get reservations.  Very nice.

I can't say enough about Maps...post comments on what ways you have used it.  Share!  :)

Continued

Whew, ok folks, that is page one (I am sure you are thrilled Apple limits the amount of pages we get).

Let me have your feedback in comments so I can see how this is working and if you like it. 

Continue on...

If you didn't get here from page 1 head on back.