Since the iPhone Software 3.0 and the iPhone 3GS were introduced, I’ve been looking forward to new apps that take advantage of the new features. I’m particularly curious to see companies create hardware that interacts with custom iPhone apps, something we saw a preview of back on March 17, 2009. None of those are out yet.
There are a few apps out now that take advantage of some of the other 3.0 features. Yappler recently listed some of the best of them in this post. As interesting as some of those are, none of them strike me as something that I want to start using today. Take a look at the list and see if anything grabs your attention.
As an owner of an iPhone 3GS, I’m also very interested to see what developers come up with that takes advantage of the unique features of the iPhone 3GS. With the speed of the 3GS and improved graphics capabilities, we should soon start to see some amazing games that use the 3GS to its fullest, but I am even more interested in seeing apps that take advantage of other 3GS features such as video, the better camera and the compass.
Yesterday, the Daring Fireball site linked to one such upcoming app called New York Nearest Subway from Acrossair. The app, which has already been submitted to Apple and is now just waiting for approval, uses augmented reality to show you the nearest subway in New York using GPS, the compass, and some of the iPhone 3.0 video technology. The best way to understand it is to see it in action, so here is a video preview:
This is the first 3GS or 3.0 specific app that really makes me take notice. I lived in New York City for about 8 months after Hurricane Katrina, and this app would have come in very useful had I had it when I was there, but forget the utility of the app—this is way cool technology. I suspect that we are just seeing the tip of the iceberg and there are lots of smart developers working on innovative 3GS or 3.0 specific apps. It should be a fascinating second half of the year for iPhone apps.
That is a spectacular app! When I lived in NYC I used the subway for most of my travel (unless my firm was paying for a cab) and although I had the location of my lines and stops memorized there were always times when I had to go someplace where I wasn’t certain of the stop. And of course, being a true blue NYer, I’d never ask anyone or let anyone see me looking at a subway map. Sometimes I’d make it and sometimes I’d have to walk an extra few blocks.
The youtube video seems to show the user standing in a subway stairwell area. I bet a lot of people are going to wish this app would work while they were standing on a platform. Perhaps someday there will be wifi in the subways. Yeah, right, I know the City is bankrupt again.
I’m think of moving back just so I can use this app. If they make one for the bus lines, I’d not only move back but I’d also take the bus. Just as long as no one sees me.
Around me is a GREAT app. Location aware info at your fingertips. I took some friends and family to Park City, UT for the 4th. A member of my party became ill and I used around me to locate the nearest medical facility. Nearly literal life saver.
Perhaps Jeff could do a comparison between Around Me and Vicinity.
@C.Jannace agreed. I was on vacation, but many of us travel for depos, regional – boards/districts/circuits, etc. In the [unlikely?] event of ‘down-time’ apps like these can be exceedingly useful.