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Since you asked, Gruber, here are my Android "killer apps"

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Re: Since you asked, Gruber, here are my Android "killer apps"

#51
post #49

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I agree. There are four killer apps to date, and they exist on all the big players: 1) Web browser 2) Email client 3) GPS/Navi 4) SMS There is no application I've never heard anyone, other than a Gruber/Scoble like geek saying, "I need to buy an iPhone because of this app". In fact, ask someone who does NOT own an iPhone to name one iPhone application. Just one. Any one will do. I bet most of the time the answer will…

No-strings attached free wireless tethering is a killer app. I expect more than one Android+US Carrier to have it before AT&T+iPhone does.

Doesn't Nexus One TMo already have it? Well not completely free... you do have to have a phone plan.

Re: Since you asked, Gruber, here are my Android "killer apps"

#52
post #42
post #34

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don't see a resemblance? Is any app that tracks multiple packages a knock-off? I don't think so. And I've been using original Delivery Status (as an OSX widget) before there even was App Store.

You don't see a resemblance between two apps that display package tracking details using custom whole-color list backgrounds and identically positioned iconography using similar glyphs? Between this: http://android-apps.com/images/pname/eu.zomtec.android.deliv... and this: http://junecloud.com/images/entries/20101010_6613.png ... you see nothing in common? It's difficult to take your assertion seriously.

Delivery Status colors it's bars according to tracking provider's official colors (brown for UPS, purple for FedEx etc.) and uses provider's logos.

Parcels colors it's bars seemingly randomly to differentiate between them and uses some off the shelf icons for different package statuses.

Where the fuck do you see the resemblance? Only in the fact that it puts different packages into different bars and colors them differently? Should it display a Cover Flow for packages or something to differentiate itself?

Anyway, I like Delivery Status more myself, but accusing Parcels of plagiarism is idiotic.

Re: Since you asked, Gruber, here are my Android "killer apps"

#53
post #49

Earlier quoted context omitted.

No-strings attached free wireless tethering is a killer app. I expect more than one Android+US Carrier to have it before AT&T+iPhone does.

Doesn't Nexus One TMo already have it? Well not completely free... you do have to have a phone plan.

That's why I qualified with more than one. The Nexus One is an unsubsidized model that the carriers effectively fought and T-Mobile tries to make up for having terrible coverage by doing the technical side correctly. Specifically, I'm saying Verizon or Sprint with Android will drop the additional monthly fee (like Verizon used to push on their navigator service) before AT&T does for iPhone.

Re: Since you asked, Gruber, here are my Android "killer apps"

#54

No mate, that's not what he asked. He asked: 3. Third-party apps that are exclusive to Android. And followed it up with this: "At this point, I’m guessing, Android fans are ready to exclaim that the fact that Android supports things like home screen replacements (or other system-level tools, such as touchscreen keyboard replacements) — and that iOS does not — is precisely why they prefer Android, and/or consider iOS…

I fail to see why that matters - a killer app that is exclusive for Android would by definition be one Apple didn't want.

What matters is what its users wants, and clearly at least one user wants this app.

Re: Since you asked, Gruber, here are my Android "killer apps"

#55
post #27
post #13

None of those are "killer apps" in the classical definition of the phrase. Those are apps that are awesome to you, but not killer apps. People use killer app now to mean any good app, kind of how every model today is a super model if you know their name. Halo was a killer app for xbox 360. People bought xboxes to play halo, hence a killer app. People arent going to buy an android phone to use a music player with a ne…

By that definition, the killer apps for me are keyboard replacements, home screen replacements, flash enabled web browsers and the Android OS itself which allows me to modify/replace stock functionality. That freedom to do what >I< want to do with my device is the reason I went with Android.

Procrastination inducing apps and hobbyist tinkering apps, that is, as opposed to actual apps and games.

Re: Since you asked, Gruber, here are my Android "killer apps"

#56

To me, the biggest killer app for the iPhone is iTunes integration. I know many people with Android phones who don't use it for music (myself included) because it is fairly difficult to put music on it. And, given the fact that something like 75% of the media player market is iPod, that means that a lot of people have iTunes installed, and getting an iPhone set up is pretty painless. I know there are several music sy…

Is this a joke? iTunes is a horrible app that is way to underpowered and annoying to use, you are limited to syncing which means you can't use it with more than one device or more than one computer, and you can't copy half an album or just a few songs from a playlist.

Re: Since you asked, Gruber, here are my Android "killer apps"

#57
post #52
post #42

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You don't see a resemblance between two apps that display package tracking details using custom whole-color list backgrounds and identically positioned iconography using similar glyphs? Between this: http://android-apps.com/images/pname/eu.zomtec.android.deliv... and this: http://junecloud.com/images/entries/20101010_6613.png ... you see nothing in common? It's difficult to take your assertion seriously.

Delivery Status colors it's bars according to tracking provider's official colors (brown for UPS, purple for FedEx etc.) and uses provider's logos. Parcels colors it's bars seemingly randomly to differentiate between them and uses some off the shelf icons for different package statuses. Where the fuck do you see the resemblance? Only in the fact that it puts different packages into different bars and colors them diff…

It is clearly trying to copy it. The UI original and doesn't look native to andriod or iphone. You think its a coincidence it looks so similar to another delivery tracker. Just because the icons are worse and the colors are not useful doesn't stop it from being a ripoff. I agree that it is not illegal but it is in bad taste.

Re: Since you asked, Gruber, here are my Android "killer apps"

#58
post #50
post #44

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Same here with walking directions. Without street view I found Maps on my iPhone to be nowhere near as good.

Can you clarify what it is you're missing? Both walking directions and street view work well in Maps on my iPhone.

I like to see the street I'm walking down with an arrow pointing me where I need to go.

The iPhone can't do this at present because street view and walking directions are two separate things.

Re: Since you asked, Gruber, here are my Android "killer apps"

#59
post #44

Google Maps bike directions are my killer app.

Same here with walking directions. Without street view I found Maps on my iPhone to be nowhere near as good.

Street view is there in Maps on iOS. There is an icon that looks like a person on the details of any push pin or the current location pointer. Touch it, and you zoom into street view.

Re: Since you asked, Gruber, here are my Android "killer apps"

#60
post #59
post #44

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Same here with walking directions. Without street view I found Maps on my iPhone to be nowhere near as good.

Street view is there in Maps on iOS. There is an icon that looks like a person on the details of any push pin or the current location pointer. Touch it, and you zoom into street view.

See my other comment - street view doesn't exist in directions on iPhone. The Android term for it is 'Navigation' but it amounts to seeing the view you'd see with your eyes, with a fat arrow pointing you where you need to go.

It's really useful, especially as I've only lived in London for two years.

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