How iPhone Apps Are Making Their Way Into a Car Near You

Have you ever wished that big navigation screen that is fixed in your car could live up to its potential by doing more than just giving you directions, showing you the radio station, and updating you on vehicle information? Have you ever wished you could see your Pandora stations as they play and had the ability to skip and like songs at will in the convenience of your car? Are you a techie and just like the idea of a car doing much more than just driving down the road? If you answered yes to any of the aforementioned questions, this article will spark your interests. With technology seeping its way into everything we use on a regular basis, it is no surprise it has made its way into our vehicles time and time again. This article will outline how the "App" is breaking the mold of onboard entertainment in 2012.

Much like the introduction of the first iPhone and subsequently the first app download, the introduction of App capability in vehicles is another groundbreaking moment for mobile communication and entertainment platforms. Displayed first at a 2011 auto show, App integration allows for some of the most popular apps like Pandora, and Maps to be integrated into the already tech savvy onboard computer system.
The current platform works much like a plug and play device which allows all of the features of the vehicle and all of the ingenuity and continuously updated software of the application. The premise is that the user plugs his or her smart phone (iPhone, HTC, Blackberry, etc.) into the vehicles USB port and toggles the onscreen application driver. Once recognized, the vehicle lists the applications that are compatible with its interface and allows the user to begin running the application in its display. Rather than simply taking over the display, the application assumes an integrated role, looking much like it belonged in the interface from its creation.
The proprietary nature of automobile companies makes the BMW platform different from the Audi, different from the Mercedes-Benz. The basic premise is identical, though some vehicles like the Audi are now also allowing for an internal GSM card to provide Wi-Fi for the entire vehicle and an onboard hard drive to store apps and run them seamless of the iPhone. While the concept is still prototypical, the idea seems to have endless bounds as mobile communication once again breaks the mold of what is considered standard.
Automakers like Tesla are boasting about their 24 inch vibrant screen that will revolutionize the way truly mobile data and voice communication are completed. Only time will tell how truly ingenious the outcome will be. One thing is for sure, the a track radio has made a massive evolutionary upgrade in 40 years.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6822495

Development Considerations for an iPhone App

The iPhone revolutionized the very concept of a smartphone. Ever since its debut 5 years ago, it continues to blur the lines between computers and a mobile device. Mobile application development is all the rage today thanks to Apple Inc.

Every mobile application developer hoping to design an app for the iPhone should consider a few things. These few tips will help you popularize your app on Apple's premier mobile device.
Design Hi-Res and Hi-Quality Graphics for Your App
No matter what are your preconceived notions about the iPhone screen size, the rule of thumb is to design your graphics for a hi-resolution device. The iPhone also contains a retina display which brings its picture quality at par with the iPad. If you use low quality scalar graphics then the display results will be horrendous to say the least.
Invest in vector graphics design. The graphics can be scaled easily without any drop in quality if you utilize vector designs.
Use the Location feature in your app
Users can cash in on a few discounts and augmented reality options that make the app stand out 'geologically'. Using this in conjunction with the directions feature can also help in making your app more practical. The iPhone is mobile and begging to be used as a GPS device.
Partner with Social Media networks
Facebook and Twitter integration is a must for all developers. Mobile application development has made it easier than ever to share your achievements, stats, places, etc over social networks of your choice. It is also the easiest way to drive in traffic to your app. So make your app discoverable and marketable by baking in social media integration.
Design Games that get in-app purchasing options right
Your iOS app has all the ingredients of an addictive game. No matter what, people always want to get back to it. Capitalize on your game's appeal by incorporating a simple yet practical in-app purchasing system. Offer value-added expansions such as new levels, game changing mechanics, etc for a nominal fee. Try not to get caught in the nickel-and-diming trap. Nothing irks the customers more than the image of a mobile developer that makes you pay for every single thing.
The iPhone is just not a phone. It is becoming an extension of your personality and digital lifestyle. Anyone who partakes in mobile application development should take advantage of its size and features

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7134780

Create an iPhone App - Be the Creator of Your Very Own iPhone Application

As you may know, iPhones are the most popular smart phones out there. With the increasing rate of purchases every day, nothing can stop the amazing iPhone. The good thing about the iPhone is that Apple is always on top of things; for example the release of the iPhone 4. One of the best features which come tied with the iPhone is the Apple app Store. The app Store consists of mobile applications created by 3rd party companies and individuals which are games, utilities, content, etc. Anything you imagine can be an iPhone application, and today you are going to learn how!

There are a few different methods to create an iPhone app. The most cost-efficient would be to use an easy to edit website which basically creates the app for you, all you need to do is be creative and make the best iPhone app you possible can! The more technical and better way is to find a coder who is very knowledgeable of Xcode; which is the incredibly productive integrated development platform of iPhones/iPod Touches, iPads, and Mac applications.
If you have no coding experience then you're most likely not wanting to learn one of the hardest development platforms out there known as Xcode. Instead, why not learn the easy way and spend a lot less money on your app, as well as earn from it. If you have taken the time to look through the top apps in the App Store, you may notice the simplest apps excel. If you didn't hear, an app known as "iFart" grossed over $27,000 in the first day that it was launched. All the app did was give you a few options of what noise to make. You can develop and app like this in less than 2 hours!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/4991261

iPhone Apps - Applying the Midas Touch!

There have been various devices that have literally changed the way technology affects human lives and the mobile phone is one of them. Apple Inc. revolutionized mobile devices with its chic iPhones by incorporating multi-touch screen that hid every bit of hardware inside that smooth surface. Keeping in league with the unending demands of iPhone users, iPhone application developers have always come up with newer and more exciting applications that not only make the iPhone a fun device but also one of the most user-friendly and handy devices that puts work and play in one string.

iPhone application development market is one of the most promising and fastest growing markets today with more and more developers joining the competition. The wish to make successful iPhone apps that create a craze among the millions of iPhone users is more than a profession for many developers and it has become a passion. But like any other industry, this highly competitive market is for those who can not only make applications with an edge but sale them off as well. So, what are the chances of making successful iPhone apps that create a buzz passing it through the hundreds of applications added to the apps store every passing day? How do you get to the top of the chart and be the talk of the iPhone users in a short span of time? There is, however, no magic in it but the right tactics and strategies can help you develop useful applications and help you get higher profits.
Try to Develop Some Unique Applications
This is one of the time tested method to reach popularity through providing something that is totally new. All one needs to do is to develop something that no one has done so far or reinventing an existing application to perform better with a touch of newness. The Apps store would welcome these applications if you have planned, created and marketed your idea into a worthwhile application. May be you would need to combine a few of existing ideas and tweak them in a manner that makes them more usable as well as user friendly. Finally there is nothing like making an application that has a humane appeal.
Use Latest Marketing Gimmicks
If building an impressive iPhone application is important, then making it popular is equally imperative to make it a financial success. To make sure your apps gets the right amount of exposure you can use popular networking sites to reach a broader audience. Twitter can prove to be a handy marketing platform if you can use tweets to work for you. Make people speak about your application and half your battle is won. To get higher tweets and attract iPhone users, you can use some eye-catching taglines and highlighted feature lists.
Blog Your Way Through
Blogging has proven to be an important instrument to put forth your iPhone apps in a highly effective manner. Create an interesting story around your iPhone application and blog it down, and you are sure to get some much desired attention. You can even provide some help for the online product reviewers and they would carry forward our message without making it sound promotional yet manage to get the right impact. Social media is the next big thing in selling your iPhone application online.
Be sure that the hype you create for your iPhone apps is well timed and is well balanced to spread the right word. You can get on with the hype as early as you can and make sure there is a significant buzz around your launch. Finally it's the iPhone application that would speak for itself and there is nothing like an innovative and functional application that clicks with the users. Remember, converting a concept to a financial success is not a trick but is rather a combination of creativity and strategy.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/4970042

25 Amazing Open Source iPhone Apps

There are plenty of source code snippets and samples on free blogs and other resources online. Very few of them provide you with source code that constitutes of code that covers entire apps. However, there are some amazing source code bundles that cover entire apps that are published on the App store. These are great if you want to get under the hood and see exactly how these apps are made from start-to-finish. Here they are...

1. ABC 123 - Sequence memorization game, that utilizes Cocos2D.
2. Colloquy - A conversion of the most popular Mac IRC client to iPhone.
3. Diceshaker - Dice rolling simulator designed for role-playing-game lovers.
4. Doom Classic - The classic 3D first person shooter game now open sourced on the iPhone! [ itunes link | source code | build instructions ]
5. Freshbooks - An iPhone App that allows of Freshbooks web invoicing software from your iPhone.
6. Gorillas - Classic Worms/iShoot turn based shooter type game converted to iPhone from basic. Utilizes Cocos2D.
7. Last.fm - Software that enables usage of the Last.fm platform for personal radio stations.
8. Mobilesynth - A monophonic synthesizer designed for live performance.
9. Molecules - Allows you to view 3D models of molecules and manipulate them through touch.
10. Mover - Allows you to transfer stuff from one iPhone to another by "flicking" it to the other device.
11. Natsulion - A basic twitter client converted from mac.
12. NowPlaying - Allows you to check local theater listings, and check rotten tomato ratings.
13. Packlog - Backpack journal client.
14. PocketFlix - Find movies, and manage your Netflix information.
15. reMail - E-mail client featuring ultra-fast search. Removed from app store, but source made available.
16. RobotFindsKitten - Port of a very silly "classic" ASCII game.
17. Sci-15 HPCalc - Calculator app based on classic scientific HP-Calculator.
18. Task Coach - Personal to-do list and task manager.
19. Tubestatus - London train schedule tracker.
20. Tweejump - Platform jumping game inspired by Icy Tower. Utilizes Cocos2D.
21. Tweetero - Basic twitter client with image uploading.
22. Twitterfon - Super-fast intuitive twitter client.
23. Wikihow - A reader app for the popular how to wiki site.
24. Wordpress - Client for managing WordPress blogs.
25. YourRights - Pocket database containing a summary of your legal rights.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/4503987

iPhone Apps Development Trends - The Craze Has Not Died Yet!

Ever since Apple introduced iPhone and the App store, developers have been interested in making the apps as public-friendly as possible. With the recent release of the trendy iPod touch and iPhone 4 and smart and sleek iPad, the overall interest has increased manifold and the development costs too have skyrocketed.

One of the most renowned analytics software firm Pinch Media had something to reveal about the iPhone app usage recently. About 20% are supposed to use a free app after they download it while there have been less than 5% of the people who stay on after a month or so. The paid apps do not even pull in traffic and amount to less than 5% on the first day which is extremely less.
The stats revealed by Pinch Media are insightful as it clearly showed that the apps don't have repeat value. Most users move on within a month to find some other apps and also switch their interest in some other entertainment apps.
Most of the apps are nowadays aligned towards entertainment but as analysts say, business apps which are preferred by professionals and corporate guys is here to stay and will surge ahead in the near future. According to an iPhone developer, the apps should be properly priced and the apps are also offered at promotional rates sometimes to generate interest.
Generally, many companies prefer to sell apps without having to advertise so they send it with the free apps and make the most of it by keeping the app relevant to the subject of the game. Some niche apps demand much higher ad rates too.
One thing is for certain that the developers have to be knowledgeable of the current tastes of the market and should know what people want. The best apps listed on the App store are the ones that are very simple but addictive and also very well marketed. The very first step is to aggressively market the product, which is tricky and dicey but once the ball starts rolling and working nothing can actually deter your app to be sold more than once!
Additionally, one need not keep the games market for teenagers of adolescents, because even adults are crazy about games, especially Angry Birds and Cut the Rope which are ruling the roost. The animations used for the creation of the app are also state-of-the-art and the layouts and concepts mostly profound and well researched.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6440545

iPhone Apps Build Brand Awareness

Big companies are getting in on iPhone app action as they realize that future generations want (and eventually will expect) to be able to access their favorite retail chains, banks, and software from their iPhone. Here is a look at how a few big-brand companies are leveraging the iPhone application market to increase their brand-visibility.

The iPhone App Store Launches and the Rush to Fill it with Applications
The iPhone App Store launched on July 11, 2008. Within three weeks, over nine hundred applications had been introduced by third party developers, but many of these were by smaller companies, not big brand names (Source: New York Post, July 28, 2008). In the first weekend, Apple stated, iPhone users downloaded over ten million apps, and CEO Steve Jobs called it 'a grand slam' (Source: Apple.com).
The first iPhone application from a big brand to appear at the App Store was Bank of America's iPhone application, which allows bank customers to find the closest ATM or check their balances online.
Retailers Try to Figure Out the iPhone
Both The Gap and Target launched iPhone apps in time for the holiday shopping season, but both have received luke-warm responses from users.
The Gap's Merry Mixed Carols features five Christmas Carols sung by a random assortment of carolers, including Rainn Wilson (of The Office), Jon Heder (aka Napoleon Dynamite), the Dixie Chicks, and comic Sandra Bernhard, amongst others. You can then mix and match different Gap outfits on their celebrity male and female models, and when you're ready to purchase, you can find the nearest Gap store closest to your current location.
Target's iPhone app is a slightly less interesting gift finder, whose only unique feature is that when you shake your iPhone like a snow globe, a random gift will appear on your screen.
Will The Gap's trendy celebrity viral videos and Target's gift finder translate into more sales this Christmas season? Considering the economic downturn, it seems unlikely that their iPhone apps will lead to a vast increase in sales. However, even if their new iPhone apps aren't worth hours of entertainment, they are ahead of many other retailers in increasing their brand visibility in the Brave New World of iPhone apps.
Do Stores Already Online Hold an Advantage?
But it's not just brick-and-mortar stores who are trying to increase their brand visibility through the medium of iPhone apps; even companies whose primary business is already online, like Amazon and Google, are also in on the game. Amazon Mobile, the Amazon iPhone application, simplifies the Amazon search experience and allows users to store snapshots of products they are interested in so they can come back to them later.
The Weather Channel, too, has taken its popular Weather.com site and created an iPhone app to increase its own brand visibility. Some users complain that the app is not very stable yet, crashing often, and that it does not offer much more than the iPhone's regular weather app (also based on Weather.com data, interestingly enough). But The Weather Channel's iPhone application also offers video, which the regular iPhone weather app does not (Source: CNet.com).
Overall, it seems likely that many big businesses will soon be getting into the iPhone app market to increase their brand visibility (and so that their competitors don't have an iPhone presence before they do). It is really interesting to see small developers compete with big business giants on an equal playing field.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/1958931

Smart Ways To Use the iPhone and Apps for Kids

How to use the iPhone when playing with kids? Of course, there are plenty of apps for kids. Let's see how we can use them more creatively.

• Use it as a bribe or a reward. Anyone who has ever been a parent can tell you that it is no easy feat to discipline or raise a child. Having said that, if your child is into the iPhone, you might as well use it to your advantage in every way possible. One of those ways is use it as a bribe or a reward. If there is a specific task that you need your child to accomplish and he refuses to, use the iPhone as a bribe. It can also be used as a reward in situations where you feel your child deserves recognition for her hard work.


• Use it for educational purposes. Who says it isn't possible to both have fun and learn all at the same time? With the iPhone, it most definitely is. Pick out games that are both entertaining and educational and sit down with your child and show him or her how much fun it can be. Your child will thank you in the future.


• Use it to pass the time. Gone are the days when children would throw tantrums or complain incessantly due to long waiting times-whether in restaurants, dentist appointments, or what have you. Pull out the iPhone and let your kids enjoy it while waiting.


• Use it as an opportunity to bond. These are the days when it isn't very common for families to get together and bond. But the iPhone can change that for you and your kids. There are countless games on the app store that the whole family can participate in and play together. Remember that kids grow up so fast. So seize every opportunity to be with them while you still can.


• Use it as a "lite" punishment. Believe it or not, the iPhone can be a useful tool for when your child has done something wrong. For instance, if your son has called his sister names or took her candy, you can punish him by taking away his iPhone privileges for a week or two. Psychologists say that limiting the pleasure is the most effective way to make the child realize his faults.

These are only some of the ways you can use the iPhone as a tool to educate your child and keep him or her engaged while you are getting much needed relaxation time. Feel free to give these tips your own personal spin or add your own twist to it to make the experience more enjoyable for your kids.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6828407

Make Money Creating Free iPhone Apps

If you are looking for a great way to expand your brand and make more money, create free iPhone apps. The preferred apps are made for the iPhone and they are the simplest ones to create. It really is quite easy to create and also to market. You've got a choice as to whether you want to generate a paid iPhone app or generate a free iPhone app and after that sell advertising. Or, you can do both. Any way you would like to do it, creating free iPhone apps can be very profitable.

After you create your free iPhone app, how will you market it? A powerful way to market these apps is with mobile pay per click advertising. It's identical to using regular pay-per-click except that your particular ad is going to be displayed on the iPhone. Here are a few companies and advertising networks that offer mobile pay-per-click advertising for your iPhone app.
The first is AdMob. This company was the first completely mobile advertising network. If you go to their website and register, they have easy to follow instructions. If you have a developer creating your iPhone apps, you'll want to work with them to make certain that the code is set up properly. AdMob is great because they have real time reporting metrics.
Another excellent choice is Google Mobile. If you are already accustomed to Google Ads, this is the same concept but mobile. The cost per basis is identical as regular Google Ads. AdSense for mobile content is just like regular AdSense. Register with Google and after that follow their simple instructions. They have many different ways that you are able to review your metrics.
There are two considerations to remember when choosing an advertising company or network to work with. First, it is important for you to enjoy working with them and second, they pay a reasonable percentage. Since you will just be starting out with your advertising it is necessary that you go with an advertising network that doesn't have any hit requirements. Creating these free iPhone apps is an excellent way for you to add an additional revenue stream to your income.
After you have created your iPhone app and you have decided where you will run your advertising, it is extremely important for you to generate a good keyword list. Just like when you create your pay-per-click keyword list for your website or blog, you need to do precisely the same thing for your ads for your applications. You need to target the people who will be most curious about downloading your applications and you must have an incentive for them to click on your ad versus someone else's ad.
There are a number of keyword tools that you can use to get a good list of relevant keywords. A free keyword tool you can use is Google's Keyword Tool. You will find other paid ones to choose from, but Google's Keyword Tool would work perfectly. Just remember to use the keyword tool because if you try to guess at what people are searching for, you are likely to miss your mark and you will pay a lot of money for little to no return.
When you have your list of keywords, the next thing you have to do is market your application. You can advertise your app at no cost using iTunes. Or, you can list it in the mobile app directory on iTunes. Just be sure you have taken the time to make your app look great, using your colors and your logo. Mention your new app when you're visiting forums and commenting on blogs. When you're on line, market your application where ever you are and you'll be on your way to earning money creating free iPhone apps.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6579138

4 iPhone Apps to Help You Organize Your Photos

Want to quickly keep all the photos on your iPhone organized, easily accessed and ready to share or store on your computer? Here are four iPhone apps that make that easy: First, try Picture Safe, so popular that it was featured in PC World and made the App Classics Hall of Fame. It easily creates folders for any group of photos and has a password protected feature. Not only do you have ultimate security with this app but can organize them by groups or subjects.

Another app worth checking out is Camera Vault, which features the ability to categorize your photos in a library which also organizes galleries and slideshows. It is cutting edge and among the best of the iPhone photo apps available. Pictures skip the basic photo library and go directly into the Camera Vault library. The advantage here? A much higher level of protection for photos, allowing them to be stored securely and privately. A password allows only the owner of Camera Vault to decide which photos are private and when to share them with others. They aren't automatically accessible to just anyone.
Picposturous allows you to create albums, after first noting a location. Pictures can be arranged by location and even particular events. To use, simply list your city, such as Boston or Indianapolis or Chicago. All photos from that city can be separated into specific albums and when searching for the photos you simply go list a specific location to see all photos associated with that area.
Finally, Darkslide is only for Flickr users (and it is worth becoming one to use this app). It is possible to browse through the Flickr stream of photos and view photos from friends or contacts. You can then organize photos by various categories such as particular friends or groups. For those who haven't been introduced to the advantages of Flickr, give it a try and see if this is a favorite iPhone app for photo organization.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/4297185

Write iPhone Apps Without Xcode

For those that do not own a Mac but would like to learn how to write iPhone apps, there are several alternatives, which are discussed below.

DragonFire SDK
You'll need to know C or C++. But you can write iPhone apps in Visual Studio. DragonFire also comes with a simulator so you can test your app.
One drawback about DragonFire is that you must upload your project in a zip file to the website. The project will then be built on Mac. Once built, you can download the app.
After your project is built, you can submit it to the app store for publishing via iTunes Connect. You must be a iPhone Developer Program member ($99/yr) to publish in the app store. Alternatively, you can use DragonFire's Zimusoft to submit your app to the app store.
DragonFire cost $49.95 for starter kits and goes up to $149.95 for iPhone + iPad.
PhoneGap
From PhoneGap's FAQ:
Q: What is PhoneGap?
A: PhoneGap is an open source solution for building cross-platform mobile apps with standards-based Web technologies like HTML, JavaScript, CSS.
PhoneGap allows you to build for multiple platforms, not just iPhone. If you do decide to build an iPhone app with PhoneGap, you'll need an Intel based Mac and Xcode (free). Most other platforms such as Android, Blackberry, WebOS, and Symbian can all be built on Windows.
PhoneGap is a write once, deploy everywhere platform. Think of it as an add on to each mobile device development platform. This means you will need to download each respective OS development environment, develop your app within it, build and deploy using recommended methods for the target OS. This can be very time consuming but most likely not nearly as time consuming as learning multiple languages. Although, most of these languages will be java. However, more people know CSS, Javascript and HTML than do Java.
Keep in mind that writing for multiple platforms means you will have multiple versionings to keep up with. But the advantage PhoneGap offers is that all you need to know is CSS, Javascript and HTML. There will be some generic code you can reuse between platforms. But PhoneGap APIs are will probably differ between platforms, causing rewrites of those areas.
Although each platform comes with a simulator, it is highly recommended that you test your apps on devices running each OS.
Titanium Mobile
Titanium allows you to create mobile apps for iPhone and Android. Additionally, you can create desktop apps for Windows and Mac.
You'll need a Mac to create iPhone apps and also the iPhone SDK. For Android, you'll need the Andoid SDK. However, you IDE will be Titanium and you can write in CSS, HTML, Ruby, Python, PHP.
Overall, Titanium is a powerful platform, allowing you to write within a single environment for two mobile platforms. You'll still need to pay $99/yr for the iPhone Developer Program, which allows you to publish in the app store. Titanium is free for the limited Community edition and $49/mo for the Indie edition.
MonoTouch
MonoTouch is great for.NET developers that are targeting the iPhone or Android platform. Note for iPhone development, you will need a Mac, iPhone SDK and be a member of the iPhone Developer Program. MonoTouch will be the environment you develop mobile apps in.
MonoTouch for iOS cost a one-time fee of $399. If you purchase Mono for Andoid also, you'll get 50% off its $399, for a total of $598.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6580285

Top 5 iPhone Apps That Helps a Digital Creatives Work Load

I work prominently with digital media, be this web design, photography, film making and design. I love technology yes, but when it came to the iPhone I was unsure whether to take the plunge or not. I tried weighing up my options, and finally decided to buy one "to help me with my work" cough* cough*. Although my reasoning was half made up just so I could convince myself the iPhone was worth the monthly outgoing money I have been pleasantly surprised how work effective my iPhone and the apps to go with it has been. I am going to lead you through my top 5 free apps which help me in my everyday work.

At number one we have the Skype app. I often use Skype to call clients, as one of my jobs is as a website mentor. My calls with clients are always pre-arranged, so if for any reason I can not get to my laptop I always have my iPhone, which 9 times out of 10 at least has a 3g connection to allow me to make the call through Skype. The other great advantage of this app is that for one clients I work out in the sticks, on a farm where my phone signal is non existent, but there office has wifi which once again allows me to make calls through Skype when I can not make normal calls due to lack of phone signal.
Another great app at number two is the BlogPress app. You can get the lite addition for free or buy an upgraded version. BlogPress works along side multiple platforms of blogging software which is great for me as I help run several different blogs via blogger, WordPress and Joomla, and this little app can edit posts (and create posts) on all these platforms straight from the iPhone. This can come in handy when you receive a email or call from a client who needs something changing NOW! and your not at your desk. Simply log in and edit till your hearts content.
My third fave app is Adobe Ideas, not only with this app can you draw vector illustrations, you can draw over photographs, you can have the photo as a separate layer to the drawing so you can hide the photo is you being a bit of a cheat and tracing something. Other great features to this app is that you can pinch zoom into the canvas to colour fine detailed areas of your "idea". You can then email your idea as a PDF to whomever, I often email mine to myself so I can check on a computer on large screen first. The other very handy feature is that the PDF is a very large resolution so if you wanted you could work straight from the PDF rather than having to re make your idea on the computer. Ive experimented with signature designs with this app which worked very well, I just imported the PDF into Illustrator and edited further from there.
In at number four is 2Do Lite. With this little app you can set up your todo calender for different subjects areas such as work, home, birthdays, and set up email reminders. I found this a very good organizational app which helps keep me in control. I love it more than the normal calender as I feel it works more efficiently, working much more like a Filofax. One great tip with this app is that if your being given instructions over the phone and don't want to forget any of the details jot them straight down in todo, email the note to your self so when your set at your desktop, open it up and there it is.
the last app i will mention is SE Guide, I have surprised myself by listing this app, but I use it so much more than I ever believed I would. It is basically a few RSS feeds from an about SEO website, driven into an iPhone app. This being just an RSS feed doesn't really sound like much of an app, but I read through the articles all the time, much more so than I would from my RSS reader client on my mac or from my Google reader. Its one of those things where I am at the computer waiting for something to render of export and I have my iPhone hand so i read the SEO articles. The feature I love is that if I find an article particular interesting then I email myself the link straight through the app, so I can read it later full screen, print it out and archive it in my big collection a web tip etc.

Darren Michael works with Websites, Film and Photography and he also enjoys teaching all these elements to people whom want to learn. If your interested in my web related work visit my Creative CMS Website archive, which showcases some of the websites I have constructed recently.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/4336233

When iPhone App Development Makes Sense

If you're searching for information on iPhone app development, you've likely thought of an app idea that you believe would be an absolute success. To ensure that your app idea is one that will meet your expectations, ask yourself the following questions before you decide to hire developers to bring your idea to life. By clarifying your expectations and the possibility for success, you will be much more apt to make informed decisions going forward.

Before you hire an iPhone app development team, ask yourself:

• What do I hope to gain from this process? If you simply want to see your app in the iPhone app catalogue, then it won't matter to you whether it becomes a worldwide sensation. However, if you really believe that your application fills a hole in the app marketplace, you will need to do some extensive research to make sure that it has that possibility.

• Do any applications already exist that are either similar to mine or identical? If you hope to pull in the greenbacks with your application, it will have to appeal to the overall iPhone app market. Spend time surfing the application catalogue. Plug in any words that you think someone would enter into a search engine to find your future app, and look at the search results carefully. It would be a shame to spend time and money on developing an application that ends up being almost exactly like another one out in the market already.

• What type of guidance are you looking for in terms of an iPhone app development team? If you are already a savvy writer of code and you just need someone to take care of the marketing side of the app publicity, you are going to need a different type of help than someone who has the idea for a concept but that is all. When you interview iPhone app development teams, make sure to express your expectations and needs. That way, you will know up-front whether the team is a good fit for you.

• How will you measure the success of your application? If it is simply by dollar signs, then you need to be vigilant in making sure the application meets your exact specifications. You'll have to likely participate in the marketing plan. And it may take a while for your app to gain a following. If you simply want to see your application come to life, you may not have an experience that is as involved.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6967336

Top iPhone Apps For Educators

I know there are tons of iPhone App lists on the web but I have put this one together to meet the needs of busy teachers who want to save time and effort and maybe make themself seem a little smarter next time a curly question comes their way in class. Hope you enjoy it and I would love to hear about your favourite apps and what you use them for.

Mobile Air Mouse: Do you use an Interactive whiteboard and have wireless keyboards and mice floating around the place that either don't work or you have to actually sit in front of a computer to type something on your IWB. Download and install Mobile Air Mouse and you can use your iPhone to do everything on your IWB. Now I sit with my students and run a lesson. Media controls, Keyboard and Mouse. My all time most used app at school. Works through a wireless network and is pretty painless to set up. Check out the video below.
DropBox: I own a laptop, 2 desktop PC's at home, have files on the network at school and now have some stuff on my iPhone. I was going crazy trying to keep track of it all. Drop box allows you to sync everything without any hassle at all to every PC you use both locally and in the cloud and now best of all you can access all of your files through your iPhone. Also you can create public folders for your students to access files from the web too. It's free - Absolute Gold
Pi83 Graphing Calculator A simple calculator isn't enough for most math students once they hit high school, so having a graphing calculator handy is always welcome. And since Pi83 Graphing Calculator, which mimics Texas Instruments' Ti-83 graphing calculator, costs just 99 cents. Never be outsmarted by your students again.
Evernote - This iPhone app will help you capture video and audio with your phone and sync it to other devices. View web site clips take class notes and memos, photographs of class activities. File anything and pull it up on your PC or share it with your kids. The ultimate Forget me not tool. And believe me teachers have a lot to remember.
Quick Voice iP - I'll throw this one in with Evernote.This award-winning voice recorder can be used to record lectures, reminders and other voice messages. Recorded material can then be emailed directly from your iPhone.
WorldBook - This Day in History. This interactive calendar is powered by World Book Encyclopedia and features historical information for each day of the year. Struggling for a lesson idea today or just need to fill in 10 minutes with some great facts from history.
Cram Cram is designed specifically to help students study for a big test. The app allows them to create multiple-choice quizzes and study guides with a flash-card-like system. The app even randomizes the answers to ensure students aren't memorizing a particular option. Best of all for teachers it has a massive bank of online tests you can access and administer. Don't sit up all night planning or correcting a test again.
History: Maps of the World One of the most important tools any student can use is a historical map of the world to help them in both geography and history classes. That's where History: Maps of the World comes in.
After downloading the free app, users can view maps of all the continents at different points throughout history. The app features up-to-date maps showing current boundaries. But where it provides the most value is in its historical maps, which display boundaries and important places from periods throughout history. It's a great way to help students increase their effectiveness in geography and history class and a great discussion point in geography lessons.
Flash-Me - This educational iPhone App lets you use Cramberry (the amazing online flashcard maker) on your iPhone. With Flash-Me, you can create, edit and study your flash cards on your iPhone. These can be later shared with students in class.
Mathematical Formulas Mathematical Formulas is a must-see app for any math student. It not only helps users gain access to hard-to-remember formulas quickly, but it might also prove to be a handy studying tool.
Like me if you are not Rainman and your students hit you with something from left field in maths this is a great tool to get you out of what can be an embarrassing spot.
Spell Check. I am great spaller but this is a great tool to let your students use next time they hit a word that confuses them. Type in a word to see if you spelled it correctly and get suggestions for correct spellings. This app also doubles as a dictionary. Two for the price of none.
BBC World News - Between the BBC World News App, Australia's ABC App and the United States NY times App you have access to three of the world's best news services for quick facts, updates and when you need to search the archives in a hurry.
EleMints. Try out this interactive periodic table that allows you to easily learn about all the elements.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/3696720

How to Publish Your iPhone App After Development

1. Publish your app to Apple iTunes App Store

Getting your app approved and published can be difficult if you're not familiar with XCode.
So, if you developed your app by yourself, you certainly know how to do these steps below. If you hired someone to develop your app, you can ask them to help you do the process. You'll need to:

• have the Certificates
• define your App ID's
• create your Distribution Provisioning Profile for code-signing your app
• open your iPhone SDK to build the application
• take that ZIP file and go to Developer's App Upload site, remember to prepare some graphics such as an icon for your app, a sample screenshot...
• upload to iTunes Connect

2. Promote your app
After being approved, your app are ready to sell to millions of iPhone users all around the world. But it still can stay unnoticed in the store.
To make sure that the result is worthy of your efforts, you must have a plan to market your app to the audience.
There are many ways to do this properly, for example:

• promotion your app before it appear in the market
• build a website for your apps
• plan for more releases
• use the social media to market your app: some social network like Facebook or Twitter can give a lot of help

Note:
If you're new to the marketing world, you should find some eBook to read and try to learn some marketing techniques. They're plenty ones of them out there in the Internet.
If you just publish your app and then wait for a miracle to happen, your app may not be noticed soon, and it may not be sold well.
The final tip is to be patient. You can't tell what is working without trying it first.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/4453694

Awesome Free iPhone Apps - Cheapskates Rejoice

It's unusual for an iPhone app to cost more than few bucks, but with hundreds of thousands of apps available, and the convenience of iTunes billing, it's easy to sink a fortune. Thankfully, some developers have found a way to cover that cost with advertising, others belong to the open source software movement, and some are even motivated by the kindness of their hearts. That last one may not be true. In any case, read on to discover the best, free iphone apps, whether you're cheap, broke, or both.

Stitcher Radio (Free, Stitcher, Inc.) While it's not clear who or what a "stitcher" is, this app makes listening to podcasts on your iPhone or iPod Touch easier than ever. In the default iPod app, podcasts must first be downloaded through iTunes individually or by subscription. This means loads of tedious searching, waiting, and syncing. Stitcher Radio bypasses all that by allowing the user to stream the podcast directly, just like a YouTube video. Add to this great features like live-streaming radio, and Stitcher Radio gives iTunes a run for its money, all without costing a dime.
VLC (Free, Applidium) VLC for Windows and Mac has no shortage of followers, and with good reason: this media player will play just about any type of file you throw at it, and it's free of ads, free to download, and totally open source. Now, Applidium has ported VLC to the iPhone, and it does not disappoint. While other apps can only play native.mp4 media files, VLC for iPhone will tackle.avi,.mkv, and countless others you may not have even heard of. VLC for iPhone is naturally free to download, but be sure to get your copy fast, as rumor has it that its days in the App Store are numbered.
Movies by Flixter - with Rotten Tomatoes (Free, Flixter) Going to the movies is expensive enough already. The cost of movie tickets is skyrocketing, and a small soda at your average theater is likely to cost more than your first car. At least Flixter lets us find movies for free, and it does a great job of it. Flixter will tell you the release dates of films, show you their trailers, and use the iPhone's built-in GPS to help you find the closest theater. It will even link you to film reviews from Rotten Tomatoes, to make sure you won't spend all that movie theater money on another critical lemon.
Dragon Dictation (Free, Nuance Communications) Dragon Dictation is an app that has to be tried to be believed. Dragon is a speech-to-text app that, believe it or not, actually works. Simply fire up the app, hit the dictate button, and start dictating. Dragon Dictation not only serves up a fast and near-error-free transcription, but if any mistakes were made then editing is a breeze. Users can export the text to the native SMS or e-mail apps, or even to Twitter. With so many people choosing to text and drive at the same time, Dragon Dictation has the capacity to actually save lives.
StumbleUpon! (Free, StumbleUpon) Web savvy iPhone enthusiasts will likely recognize this app from the online content discovery service of the same name. StumbleUpon! the website (and browser add-on) are widely regarded as the best, most effective time-wasters on the internet. After you register your free account, hitting the "Stumble" button will serve up a random website that is sure to pique your interest. Hit Stumble again, and you get another one. And on and on. The iPhone version is exactly the same, but portable. In other words: procrastinators beware.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/5333289

The Best of iPhone Mailing Apps

The most important function of a Smartphone is staying connected. In fact the one dominating reason behind the growth of the iPhone is owing to the fact that it enables networking. Also today, accessing business related services from a mobile is very important because more and more people want to be able to handle their work remotely.

It is important that people can access, view and respond to emails from anywhere they want to so that their regular business can be carried on without any restrictions. In the race for Business enabled phone the iPhone has always lagged slightly behind because it held more features of gaming and entertainment than of business and utility.
The plethora of mailing apps available for the iPhone can make it much better. You can download any one of these fantastic apps and enjoy business from your iPhone.
Sparrow
Not too many people have heard about this fabulous application. The sweet little birdie, your very own Sparrow. It is basically an iPhone app that aims at providing a better mailing experience. It has the best interface you've ever come across. Simple, sweet and fun. There are of course more features than only a good interface. Its features include:
• It supports POP and IMAP
• Provides one single inbox to accumulate all emails making it a one stop message box
• Gives a conversation view
• Provides the option of Mark All As Read
• Gives an Alias
• Built in Browser
• Priced at $2.99
mailPro
If you require an email application that can support confidential and 'for your eyes only' kind of mails, well then mailPro is for you. It blocks all unauthorised access and makes emailing absolutely secure. It can help you use multiple email accounts but is slightly biased towards Hotmail, MSN and Windows live accounts. It gives you a very simple user friendly interface and supports IMAP and POP. The best thing is, your email will remain password protected.
Gmail (by Google)
We all know about GMAIL. Earlier on, GMAIL wasn't a very popular mailing front, but today, it has become one of the most successful emailing clients in the world. Google rolled out its official app for mailing for the iPhone. It has all the default functions that the desktop allows for, but in addition to them, it is specially optimized for mobile allowing you to log in and log off individually, thereby keeping your emails safe from unauthorised access.
Postcard
Postcard is more like an add on to a parent email. So, this email basically enables you to create wonderful e cards or what people today like to call electronic postcards. It's a quick and easy way to go about things.
This app allows you to create personalised cards and then pass it on to your contacts via your registered email id. You can personalise these postcards in a number of ways including using ready templates or using your gallery pictures and adding text to them.
SmartSender - Auto send SMS and Email
SmartSender is essentially an automated mail and SMS sender. This is for those times when you know that won't be available at a particular time in the future and yet want to make sure that a message or mail is dropped on time.
You know how you hate to wake up at midnight to wish Aunt Martha a happy birthday, but you can't afford to break her heart because she would be expecting your message. This is your answer. Pre feed a message and install the time you would like the message to be sent. This app will automatically send an email or an SMS to the desired address.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7323880

iPhone App Beta Testing - Top Tips

With so much competition (approximately 225,000) in the field of iPhone Apps, it is critical to not only produce an App that is original, but also to ensure it is of high quality. The users experience must be positive from the moment they start the App. Anything less than 'great', then that user will leave average or negative feedback on iTunes. If that happens, then the App rating will drop, which obviously means the amount of people wanting to download it will drop too. To prevent unwanted issues with the App, it is vital to ensure the App is Beta tested correctly. This way any issues with the App can be rectified before its release.
There are some useful iPhone App Beta testing services available, from simple tools and simulators to complete professional beta testing solutions. It's worth noting that of these solutions may not be as good as they seem. Let's take a look at the most popular and cheapest way to Beta Test an iPhone App:
App testing on a real device Vs a simulator
There appears to be a few iPhone App simulators out there on the net claiming to offer solutions for beta testing an iPhone App. Well, although technically(and I use this term loosely) correct, the so called 'simulators' are nothing more than web browser screens made to be the same size an iPhone screen. This really cannot offer a real beta test of an application, can they? So what are the differences between testing on a simulator and a real device?
The CPU type
The screen (a real iphone has a touch-screen of course)
Installing the App
Memory usage
Zooming functionality
Network connectivity related issues
Remember, customers that buy the App from the App store won't be running it on a simulator!
Public Beta Testing
A very credible and commonly used method of testing an application before its release is performing a 'Public Beta Test'. This is essentially releasing an application to the public before it is officially released. With traditional software testing, this can be fairly straight-forward to implement, as the developing company can simply allow as many public beta testers as they wish to test their software application. Now, with an iPhone App things are different. Firstly, you are limited to only one hundred iPhones that can be used in the beta test. In addition, these iPhones must be known to the developer, as each iPhones UDID will be required to create a provisioning file to go with the App. So public beta testing can be achieved with an iPhone App, but only in a limited and restricted way.
Feedback from Beta Testers
When assigning an App to be tested to your Beta Testers, make sure that the goals of the testing are made clear. You may have some specific areas of the Apps functionality that you want feedback on, for example; you may be wanting to test the performance of your entire system when multiple users are simultaneously using the App. Aim to ensure that all of your Beta Testers have clear instructions of the testing you want carried out, and supply them with any specific information they need to use the App. Each tester must know how to test all of the App's functionality. A common mistake is to not inform the testers of functionality that has been deliberately disabled prior to the Apps release. The testers may spend time investigating what they think is an issue, when in fact you already know about it. Also ensure that the testers know that if they find a critcial issue, they need to inform you immediately. There is nothing worse than organizing a week long beta test, only to find a critical issue reported on the last day. Obviously, it is important in any development lifecycle to resolve critical issues as soon as possible and may require halting/postponing the current beta testing until the issue is resolved.
Aesthetics
As this type of testing is trying to replicate a typical user environment, try to make good use of the type of information that beta testing can provide. A good example of this is 'aesthetics', which simply means the look and feel of the App under test. This is commonly the last chance you get to make any changes before your customers will see the App. Often overlooked items are the coloring of the text and how it it used within the App's design. Make sure that the text can not only be seen in an in-doors environment but also outside in daylight. The App could potentially be unusable if it cannot be seen outside. The most important area of aesthetics is how it feels to use the App. Does performing some simple actions take you to too many screens or require reading over-long amounts of text? areas such as these cab be tested and provide you with really useful feedback prior to your Apps release.
Can I Beta Test the iPhone App myself?
An iPhone App developer has full control over the design or their code, but do they have control over their quality? This is not a straight-forward question, or indeed answer. If a developer chooses to, they can indeed have full control over the App's quality. The developer either needs professional knowledge and experience of software testing, or they ask a professional beta tester to test it for them. To release a successful App, it must be well designed and well coded. The best way to ensure releasing a quality App is to use a professional iPhone App Beta Tester. When choosing an App Beta Testing company, there are a few things you can look out for, including:
1. Ensure the App will be tested on real devices (not simulators).
2. Check a range of devices is available, e.g. iPhone 3, iPhone 4, iPad and iPod Touch.
3. Make sure the beta testing will be carried out using the latest firmware available for that device.
4. Always ask an iPhone App Beta Testing company about Usability testing too.
5. Always ask for a test report.
6. As well as the standard Exploratory testing techniques, a good testing company should be able to offer you more advanced testing techniques such as Boundary Value Analysis and Equivalence Partitioning.
7. As a developer you will probably want to get your App released ASAP, and so it is likely you will need a quick turnaround.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/4978122

iPhone App Pricing and Revenue Models

Pricing an iPhone app can be a very strategic process. This article goes over the price points and revenue models that are commonly used for iPhone apps.

$0.99 - $1.99 "Impulse" Pricing Model
About half of the iPhone apps in the Top 100 cost $0.99 and there is a direct reason for this. It is because this is the price in which users are most likely to make impulsive purchases for an application that looks appealing. We recommend using this model when your application simply "nice to have". These are applications are mildly entertaining, solve a very basic problem, and were easy to create. But also keep in mind that low priced iPhone apps need to be of high quality to gain consumer interest.
$4.99 - $6.99 "Premium" Pricing Model
Most of the applications in this price range are games that provide the user and experience that aren't able to get with lower priced applications. Obviously, the application is much more complex and of higher quality than lower priced iPhone apps. People often pay top dollar for brilliant design or crystal-clear intuitive graphics. This basically means these applications usually focus heavily on user interface graphics, to give it a more professional feel.
Non=game apps that succeed at a higher price level don't usually have an extremely unique use or highly intensive design, they simply solve a problem better than any other applications. This price point is basically the premium price point. It is meant for applications that are of higher value than the impulse apps.
In addition, we recommend that any application priced over $4.99 should have a trial version to go along with it. This will let users try out the application and help them make a decision of if the application is worth the money. Even if people don't always buy the app, they definitely will create some sort of buzz if the iPhone app is a quality one.
$7.99 to $9.99 "Leader" Pricing Model
To place an application in this price range your application basically has to be far superior than all other applications in its category. It must do something, and do something better than any other application by a long shot. We recommend this price range for large software companies or establish iPhone development companies.
Over $10 "Specialized" Pricing Model
This pricing model is only recommended for individuals or iPhone development companies that have an expertise in an industry and really have an understanding of how much their target market is willing to pay for an iPhone application. This model also can be used for software companies as an extension of their already existing product. For example, if your company already has a solid customer base, you could consider creating an application at this price point and marketing it to your already in place customer base. These individuals already have a clear understanding of the value your application will give them and are more adept to purchase a higher priced iPhone app.
Overall, there is a lot that goes into pricing your iPhone app. We recommend that you do you research and understand the advantages and disadvantages when pricing your iPhone app. Price it too low, and you could be missing out on serious revenue. Price it too high, and the same thing happens. The trick is to do it just right, and with the help of this article we hope you have a clearer understanding of what goes into properly pricing an iPhone application.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/3866037

5 Of the Best iPhone Apps in AppStore

Lately, there has been a lot of fuss regarding who is the best around the mobile phones market - Blackberry, Symbian, Window Mobile, Android or iPhone. So far, iPhone has been considered the leader concerning the applications subject, having the largest market and a huge fan following. A single store - AppStore - makes the search for applications simple and it presents competent descriptions for the developers' products, so the user's perspective is enlarged. When Apple announced the App Store on iTunes there was great excitement over the enormous potential it would offer both the developers of the apps and the end-users. As a result, when the store officially opened, the iPhone apps that were available ran the gamut in quality, price, and topic. It is understandable that choosing reliable apps that are easy to use and actually do what they say they do can be an overwhelming dilemma. It's important to keep a few key requirements in mind as you choose apps for your iPhone or iPod touch such as: features, interface, graphics, stability and program size. The most popular category by far is Games, followed by Entertainment and the third most popular category is Books. Now, the interest is towards the best iPhone apps and below is reviewed one of the most entertaining apps which is surely worth your time and money.

oRemote
This is an application from the Entertainment category for network control of devices that use eISCP protocol including most network-enabled Onkyo and Integra AV Receivers. Using this app, you can fully control your receiver without having to turn on the TV. Certain menus and submenus such as Setup and Keyboard Entry are not supported by the OEM, therefore cannot be performed by oRemote.
Some of the app's best features are:
- easy configuration and setup, the application auto-detects your AVR and sets itself up
- controls sources for all zones
- zone controls for all supporting zones including power, volume, and source selection
- controls playback of built-in tuner, USB sources, iRadio, DLNA and Windows Media
- you can select iRadio presets and listening modes
- display of audio and video source
- display of media playback on screen - there's no need to turn on the TV
- displays of menus for media playback
In the app's description on iTunes the supported models are also presented and there you can find more details about this application.
Robert Worne promises to respond personally to any questions regarding product compatibility.
World Mobile News
Using this application from the News category you can get the latest and quality news articles and analysis from BBC on your iPhone and it works even if you don't have Internet connection or poor 2/3G reception. It presents an easy way to browse BBC News articles from all around the world under different categories offering true offline browsing experience. It's based on image slide show and all you have to do is click on the image to read the whole story. You can also get quick access to your favorite news category. It's good to know that this is not an official BBC application and the news content is served from bbc.co.uk.
Odina Software makes innovative iPhone applications such as BBCReader and iGeoJournal which brought all essential parts of iPhone components into one application: map, camera, note and recorder, all in one place.
My Movies for iPhone Pro
This application allows you to catalog your entire movie collection from an online data service containing data for over 350.000 DVD, Blu-Ray and HD DVD titles from various countries. My Movies for iPhone Pro requires you to create a user account, or log on to an existing My Movies account to be able to use the program. With My Movies for iPhone Pro you can keep track of movies you own, of the ones you previously owned or the ones you wish to purchase. The Binnerup Consult crew promises to help in case of problems, saying that the quality and stability of the application is their top priority.
The application's features include:
- adding titles by barcode, title search, manually or scan barcodes with the camera on your device
- report the missing titles in order to be created by the staff
- viewing movie trailers in the collection
- filtering the titles by type, genre, group, watched status, parental rating, production year, running time, personal categories or online status
- sorting the titles by title, collection number, rating, running time, production year, release date, parental level or added date both ascending and descending
- viewing movie details including synopsis, cast list, audio tracks, subtitles
- full screen image
- viewing actors and directors with photos, biography and list of titles the person stars in
For more details of the My Movies for iPhone Pro check out the application in AppStore.
Angry Birds
Angry Birds applications belongs to the Games category and the story goes like this: "The survival of the Angry Birds is at stake. Dish out revenge on the green pigs who stole the Birds' eggs. Use the unique destructive powers of the Angry Birds to lay waste to the pigs' fortified castles".

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6055220

iPhone Application Development - Top 5 iPhone Apps for People Who Love to Read

This article brings to you a list of the 5 best iPhone apps for people who love reading. iPhone is not Kindle, and you cannot imagine spending hours reading on iPhone, but it does have a relatively larger screen, and if you really want to read something (and you have it on your iPhone) you'd happily use your iPhone for reading. For iPhone users who have a handset with an extra-large screen, reading on iPhone is an even more viable option.

The guys working on iPhone application development thought the same thing, and now there are a number of iPhone apps in the app store that turn your smartphone into an e-book reader. I love to read, and although I cannot spend hours reading a large tome on my iPhone, I can still use these apps to download books and read them when I am stuck somewhere, and don't have much to do. Also, some apps help me to find bookstores and books that are not so easy to find. The following are the 5 best iPhone apps that will be of immense utility to people who love to read
Local Books
Local Books is the perfect example of how lovable companies can harness the power of iPhone application development to make life smoother for voracious readers. This app is created by librarything.com, a site known for its expertise in everything related to books. They know that a real reader eats books up and so they have modeled their app on menu apps by restaurants! You can search for books, bookshops, venues of book-related events, and much more using this app.
Kindle for iPhone
Isn't this the best combination ever? This app allows iPhone users who do not have kindle to read their books in a better format on their smartphone. But the app is still more useful to users who have a Kindle of their own. By installing this app you can easily transfer all you Kindle books to your iPhone, and vice-versa!
Wattpad
You probably know about the online Wattpad community. This app brings that community on your iPhone. It has its own publishing platform, and you can view the poems, stories and novels written by bloggers and budding writers. This app is a boon for amateur writers and readers, but if you read only classics, this one is not for you.
eBooks by Kobo
This one is just right for people who are not into amateur fiction or classics, but love to read bestsellers and contemporary literature. Kobo is a great e-library where you will be able to find the latest books at great discounts. But that's not all-after downloading this app you will get a free download of one new eBook every week!
B&N eReader
This is a free app from Barnes & Noble. You can pay and download any book you want through this app, and you also get five free eBooks when you download this app. But that's not the special thing about this app: the books you download will be a stored in the cloud, and this will enable you to access the books from your PC as well as your laptop. This app also allows you to change background and text color.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6485319

Manage Your Money With iPhone Apps

If you are looking for a completed automated solution,the iPhone is the best device to keep track of all the finances on the go. There are a number of budget tracking apps available in the App store which enable the users to track their income, make necessary investments and keep them on budget.

The personal finance apps fit well for the iPhone as they let the user track their accounts, manage multiple accounts, transfer money between accounts, track their stocks, calculate their investments, convert currencies and many other things. There are many featured apps in the category of finance which take the advantage of the iPhone features like - friendly user interface, location awareness, position sensor, calculate and compare loans, generate expense reports and pie charts, etc.
As there are hundreds of choices, identifying the best finance applications for iPhone is a daunting task. Before choosing an application, one should consider what they are trying to accomplish. Before surfing the app store, one must have a look at the bank accounts. All the major banks offer mobile applications like - reporting the balances, paying bills, accessing e-bills and many other things. However, the third-party (iPhone) apps also do many other things and these apps are as good as the user makes them. One has to keep the security in mind when using cell phones to help with finances. Most of the iPhone applications reviewed below have the capability to add password protection. No matter what income bracket the user fall into, one should try the below iPhone apps in the category of finance to make sure that everything balances. Most of these apps are available free of cost or for a nominal charge.
Simple Budget
This app manages the user's budget on a day-to-day basis and evaluates the progress. This is a very simple and easy app which lets the user enter their spending as they occur and alerts the users if they have crossed the target budget for that day. This may be a perfect app for those who spend much and want to stay on budget.
Mint.com
This app has some finance tools which let the users track their budget and manage their money with easy steps. The users just need to sign up an account and add their online banking accounts. The app allows the users to track their personal finances from anywhere and anytime. It is a read only service and doesn't give the employees access to the user's information.
PayPal
The app allows the user to access their PayPal account anytime and anywhere. The users can check their PayPal account balances, transfer money to others directly from their iPhone. The app supports 16 currencies and is secured by a PIN or password.
Barclaycard
The users can manage their bank accounts at home or office with the help of this app. The app is featured with various things like - managing multiple accounts, paying bills, receiving important alerts etc. The app supports many card accounts, where the user can log in to their card account with their user-name and password.
Other than the above, there are a number of apps which are very useful and effective and can be used to balance the budget.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6964338

iPhone Apps For Expectant and New Mothers

Baby Cam

Getting your baby to sit still and smile long enough to capture the perfect photo can certainly be difficult. The Baby Cam app has a sound button with fifteen prerecorded noises (bells, drums, even "Mary Had a Little Lamb") that can capture your baby's attention and make getting the perfect picture on your phone a snap!
Baby Monitor App
Who needs an expensive baby monitor set when you have the iPhone and this handy app (which costs just 99 cents)? Simply place the phone next to your sleeping baby and when it detects a noise, it will automatically place call a different telephone number (e.g. your house phone).
iNeedMilk
Specifically designed with new moms in mind (obviously), this app allows you to keep track of how long it has been since your baby's last feeding and which side he or she last fed from. Sounds surprisingly simplistic but when you're a new mother (sleep deprived and all), a basic tool such as this can be a huge help!
Lose It!
Here's an app that focuses solely on you and not the new babe. Once he or she comes, Lose It! can help you fit back into your skinny jeans within just a few months. You can set weight loss goals, establish a daily calorie allowance and record how many calories you burn during each workout. The best news? The app is completely free!
Birth Buddy
At $10, the Birth Buddy is considered a bit pricey but highly useful since it can track your labor contractions. Even better, it will email all the info directly to your doctor and close friends and family awaiting the good news!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/3257324

How to Turn Your iPhone App Idea Into a Reality

Do you have a great iPhone app idea that you'd like to develop? That's great, but the road towards creating your app is not easy. If you have skills in technology such as Objective C, Cocoa, and Xcode, then feel free to develop your app. But many people who have a sudden strike of inspiration for a new app rarely have this type of background.

This is where the dilemma comes in. If the idea is good enough, you will want to bring it to life however you can. That leaves you with two options:
1) Hiring a freelance developer or a tech firm to develop it for you.
2) Learning how to make apps yourself and developing your idea on your own.
Each approach has different pro's and con's, and depending on your life circumstances you will want to select which one to follow through with wisely.
One of the benefits of hiring an outside source to develop your app is the fact that it's a lot easier. You won't have to spend time reading books about objective C and Cocoa, and you won't have to tinker around with new technology to learn how to create a prototype your app. Instead, you can throw some money on the table and have a professional do it.
One of the weaknesses of this approach is that it will cost a lot of money. iPhone application development is a unique skill that is very much in demand today, and the range of people with this skill are limited. Because of this, hourly rates for mobile application development tend to reach as high as $150 an hour. Projects can run from several weeks to months, and at such a high hourly rate, this service is highly unaffordable for many.
An alternative is to actually learn how to create mobile applications from scratch. The great advantage to this approach is that you will be able to produce any idea that you have, not only one. This can also be a great skill to earn money by freelancing. Despite these benefits learning how to make apps on one's own is often very daunting.
The fear is, a lot of us aren't programmers so we fear that we would have to go through years of schooling to learn the necessary skills. Fortunately, this doesn't have to be the case. While I won't say that learning how to make apps is a walk in the park, it Is certainly manageable with the right attitude, mindset, and instructions.

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iPhone Application Development - Hire an iPhone App Developer For Education Apps

iPhone App development has opened doors to a whole new experience to a number of things including Education. There are number of apps available in iTunes store. Here is a list of some of them.

Advance Vocabulary Genius by Brains cape
With this iPhone application development you can improve your vocabulary faster than other vocabulary app. It applies latest cognitive science techniques. This app help you efficiently learn over 2000 'dynamic flashcards' covering both vocabulary words and their roots. Their mission is to make learning easier and more convenient. Rather than creating frivolous games or distracting quizzes try to make it fun, it provides scientifically optimized algorithm to repeat flash card in just right pattern for your brain's maximum absorption, based on your confidence.
Features:
• Nearly 1900 flashcards for some of the most beautiful yet difficult words in English language, complete with definition, sample sentences and synonyms
• Over 300 'word elements' flashcards for common prefixes, suffixes and roots.
• A customized flashcards repetition algorithm that cuts your memorization time dramatically
• Convenient 'browse' and 'search' functions that allows you to easily find the cards you want
• On going feedback, statistic, visualization tools to help you track your pages.
Math Skill K
This iPhone application development is for kindergartners. It teaches them to count numbers, perform non numerical comparisons and to identify shapes. This application adheres to the kindergartner curricula of various states including California. Concepts are taught in a fun ways, with the use of animals and colorful shapes. Progression is non linear. There is minimum usage of text. Graphics and touch activity is design to suit little fingers. Tests have shown that kids love to play this app repeatedly and grasp the concepts very fast.
iWritesWords
This iPhone application development teaches your child handwriting while playing a fun and entertaining game. Help Mr. Crab collect the numbers in sequence by dragging him with your finger - and drawing letters at the same time. Once all the letters are drawn properly, a cute drawing appears. Tilt your iPhone and see the letters slide into the rotating hole and advance to the next level.
Features:
• Learn handwriting the fun way
• 70 words of uppercase letters
• 70 words of lowercase letters
• 20 levels of numbers
• 26 levels of individual letters tracing for uppercase letters
• 26 levels of individual letters tracing for lowercase letters
• Playback the accomplish words featuring your child's own handwriting
• Realistic physics and gravity for falling letters
• Play the ABC song by taping or shaking your iPhone like drumming
• Each letter and word is spoken as it was completed

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/4811420

Hire iPhone Apps Developer For Effective and Affordable iPhone Apps Development Solutions

Today is the era of a new and highly technological mobile industry and the iPhone has made this true. Mobile industry is booming only due to this Apple device. It has covered most of the mobile and smart phones market all over the globe. So, we can say that today is the era of the iPhone.

It is the line of the internet, and has come up with the tremendous features that increase its personality. It is developed by Apple Inc. with multimedia features to compete with the mobile phones available in the market, especially with the smart phones. Now-a-days, Apple has released the new series of it that is iPhone 4 and iPhone iOS 4 with the latest and outstanding features that are very helpful in its application development solution.
Some dynamic features are presented as follow:

• Multitasking
• FaceTime ( video calling )
• HD video editing and recording
• High resolution than others
• Accelerometer
• iTunes
• iBooks
• App store
• GPS navigation
• Integrated web browser
• Multi-touch screen
• Wi-Fi connectivity
• Virtual keyboard

Many other tremendous features are there that make it different from others and put it to the top level in the mobile market.
Today, iPhone 4 apps development is a glorious service that is widely used for the business purpose. Many outsource mobile application development as well as web development companies are offering custom iPhone application development to put your ideas into existence. To fulfill the needs of the dynamic and professional applications, you need to hire its application developers.
Now-a-days, the demands of its developers are increasing due to the launch of its new series and a large use of its applications for the personalized as well as the business or organizational purpose. Its application developers can develop business applications that show the ability and skill. They can satisfy the requirement of apps of an individual easily and well because of it amazing applications supportive nature and capacity to store.
They are very skilled and creative to develop dynamic applications for your device. They can have the complete knowledge of iPhone 4 SDK that helps them in providing iPhone software development.
iPhone developers are also providing following services:

• iPhone Software Development
• iPhone Porting service
• iPhone Games Development
• iPhone Web Apps Development
• iPhone SDK
• iPhone Web Development

So, you can hire iPhone apps developers at effective and affordable cost, if you are in need of any of the above services.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/4890188

Simple Tips For Making an iPhone App

If you are intending to create your app from scratch, there will be an initial learning curve, however this article will even reveal to you some no code options at the same time that will make light of the task at hand for your first leap into software development.

Understanding your limitations with any kind of mobile development
You must choose if it makes sense for you to construct an iPhone application instead of a web application. If you only want your new program to run on iPhones exclusively then it isn't a problem. However what about other mobile phones such as droids, and the new windows phone operating system.
I say this simply because you must realize that all of these phones have their own proprietary software languages and if you want to build a simple application that caters to all phones, then you should probably produce a web application instead.
Web applications are very similar to web sites, besides the fact that they can be optimized to operate in all browsers without having to redevelop your project for each phone.
Requirements for Apple iPhone development
If you don't have a Mac, then it's going to be much more difficult and costly to start building. There are some basic minimum requirements here that you will have to possess so that you can begin to make a iPhone app. You will need to have the apple mackintosh operating-system operating system installed to get started, along with the most recent release of xcode.
If you do not have the latest release it will cost you around $20-$30 to up grade it. Your development machine should also have no less than 2 GB of memory (blank) so that you have decent performance.
Will you be using a real or a virtual development environment?
Another potentially costly item is getting an iPhone or iPad to evaluate your applications on. One option if you do not have an iPhone or iPad is to use the virtual iPhone environment.
This will enable you to build and test your programming without having a physical test device readily available. Seriously, i wouldn't want to develop the program myself without a real device, but hey it is possible and a bit cheaper if you don't have a device handy to test with.
Becoming an Apple Developer
Another item that will cost you is to become an Apple Developer. This will certainly set you back about a 100 dollars, but it is actually required in order to publish your application into the Apple store for the approval process and also will be needed in order to download the development supplies that you will need.
Outsourcing your iPhone development for a zero code solution
There are many organizations that are accessible to outsource your iPhone development to in the event that in the process it is more than you bargained for. Most companies will build your application in a short amount of time and for affordable cost. Another option is to have your application created by an online program generator.
These online applications allow you to simply create your own program and publish them to Apple very easily.
Typical development processes of creating an iPhone app
* Creative and Idea sessions These are generally short creative meetings with the project team or possibly just yourself to research and come up with an idea for your iPhone software. Bing cake, beer, or whatever you need to get the creative juices flowing.
* Customer Definition
Define who will your utilize your application or service. Define what capabilities will your program have to make life easier for the consumer. Decide if the app simply going to be a good little time waster, and if so will it provide interests to a sizable audience?
* Competition
Is there already a comparable application out there? If so, can you be competitive on price, functions, or perhaps provide the customer an increased value add to make your application more appealing?
* Marketing
Really think about how will you market your application? Are you planning on traffic only through the iPhone marketplace? What about leveraging a past success? SEO/SEM? Do you have a complete marketing plan? Will you provide a zero cost version of the application that is supported by ads?
These are all the typical discussions that will come up once you begin discussing mobile development and marketing tactics that should be thought through. Believe it or not getting your program created and permitted by Apple is actually the easy part.
I have found that it always takes the longest to create the main idea and a strong marketing plan to support it.
If you wish to make a program with no code experience necessary I highly suggest a service as this may be an excellent spot to start out your adventure in to the world of iPhone development.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6282779

Custom iPhone Apps for Bands - A New Strategy for a New Era

The online world is abuzz with reviews of Pink's latest iPhone app. Mobile applications have enhanced smart phones with a wide range of new features. People use them to find directions via GPS, play games, or stay connected to friends on social media sites like Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter.

However, the popularity of Pink's new app demonstrates that the mobile craze could just as easily help musicians get their name out to the masses. Such programs could easily be used to stream music, display video content, or provide links to a band's merchandise store.
Custom Mobile Apps for Bands Are Convenient for Potential Fans
When you are out in a club handing out flyers, it can be difficult to convince unsuspecting club patrons to choose your band over others. A handbill does not contain audio or video samples, and people are unlikely to go to a concert based on the words and images placed on a flyer.
A custom iPhone app, however, provides a much more compelling experience to the end-user. When you are out promoting a concert, you could encourage everyone to download your app and listen to song samples. This would allow you to take full advantage of this type of opportunity.
Put Your Band in the Pocket of Every Smart Phone User
Between popular phones like the Droid and the iPhone, a large percentage of people are beginning to carry smart phones with them everywhere they go. By developing an app for your band, you are placing yourself in the pockets of many people. This convenience will pay off when you want someone to check out your band for the first time.
Lots of companies provide a simple content management system for bands. It is only a matter of time before one of these can be used to create a custom iPhone application. In fact, it shouldn't be too difficult to port the same application over to the Android Market. With such ease of development, any musician would be able to capitalize on the iPhone 4 and Android app craze.
Streaming Media on the Go
People carry their mobile phones with them everywhere. Your streaming songs could be played far more frequently by users if they were available for free anywhere a 4G connection can be found. Your fans could jam your latest tunes while they run at the gym after work without having to carry a cumbersome music player. The streaming music could be accessed whether or not the end-user wanted to store your song files on his or her limited hard drive space. Custom iPhone apps for bands are wonderful for the delivery of streaming media, and this could spell out a new future for the music industry.
Ultimately, consumers want to take advantage of the latest in cutting edge technology when interacting with modern businesses. The music industry has been slow to respond to this consumer demand. By embracing the functionality and convenience of custom mobile apps, bands can seize the day and generate buzz in new ways.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/5567936

iPhone Apps - How To Make Your Own iPhone Apps Without Using Software

iPhone apps are incredibly useful. Download your chosen icon and hey presto, instant access to information or game without having to use the web browser. Great shortcut and great invention! If you are a techno geek and love the idea of making up your own app, how easy is it to accomplish? Do you need tons of special software? Where can you find out more information? In this article, I would like to show you how to make your own iPhone apps without using software.

1) The first thing to decide when making your own iPhone app is what type you will make? Start your plan by deciding which section of the market you will appeal to. Is it going to be informational, educational, musical or a game? Will it appeal to adults, teens or children? Write your thoughts and ideas down. When you brainstorm, just be aware that games are a little bit more complicated to make. Once you have a cast-iron idea, proceed to step 2.
2) Hire a programmer. Unless you are super whizz-kid and know a great deal about making iPhone apps, find a programmer! You won't need to use any special software and you can be spared hours of frustration. They already have all the technical know-how and can flesh out your idea really quickly and make it work. Check out graphics on their previous work to make sure it fits in with your ideas. Once you are satisfied, hire them to bring your baby alive!
3) Choose an app name. Before you proceed to step 4, it is worthwhile spending time researching a name for your iPhone app. Make sure there isn't anything similar out there - especially if you are planning to use the name to brand yourself.
4) Create a website. Your website should appeal not only to the age group you are wanting to sell to, but also the niche market you have chosen. Having a real jazzy website with loads of bright colours to promote a puzzle iPhone app is not going to appeal to slightly older puzzle geeks, so set the tone well. Check out other iPhone apps - especially really new ones like Kolo's journey. Make a note of the sites that appeal to you and why. Using all the information you gathered, create your own website.
5) Sell your app. Believe it or not, this is the most important step in creating your iPhone app. All the other steps will be a real waste of time if nobody knows:
a) your app exists
b) where to find you
c) if you have new products lined up
To find out how you can successfully market your iPhone app creation in a professional manner, check out iMMACC internet centre. This online centre is totally geared to teaching people how to sell any product using over 50 methods and strategies both on and offline. As an added bonus, you also get a free business to promote. I hope my iPhone apps review - how to make your own iPhone apps without using software has been helpful.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/5936462