Loading ...
With the new rumors revolving around a potential SDK for the iPhone to be revealed at the WWDC, one starts to think about just which apps or widgets you would most desire. Here's some at the top of my list:
SlingPlayer – The ability to watch TV from home on your phone? Fantastic! Sure, this is already capable on smartphones like the Treo, but for the iPhone to not get this same functionality would be a real bummer. The biggest hurdle for proper functionality would likely be the speed of the EDGE data, but Wi-Fi would certainly be fast enough for TV placeshifting. The chances of this coming to fruition seem fairly good since SlingMedia has already expressed interest in porting their player to the iPhone.
Sirius/XM Widget – Once you listen to the commercial free glory of satellite radio it's real hard to go back to old FM again. It's also unclear if the iPod Radio Remote will be iPhone compatible. Whether Sirius or XM would develop these apps themselves remains doubtful since they already have devices available that can access their streaming content. Fortunately there are several apps and widgets already available that can tune in to your favorite sat radio provider, all of which are developed by dedicated listeners. Cross your fingers on this one.
VNC – For many IT guys VNC is an invaluable tool at work. Being able to troubleshoot a machine without leaving ones desk is highly convenient. How easy would it be to control a desktop without a fixed keyboard or mouse remains to be seen, but I'm sure we could see some rather creative solutions. Of course for this to be most effective there will need to be some sort of VPN client, which luckily is already rumored to exist.
Games, games, games – There is no doubt that we will eventually see a variety of games available for the iPhone. It has already been reported that both EA and Namco have expressed interest in developing for the iPhone. What sort of games could we potentially see? The possibilities are certainly intriguing. As long as I have my mandatory Tetris available I'll be a happy camper.
What apps are on your list?
{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
call me old fashioned but all I want my phone to do is make calls, play video and music and give me directions when I am lost. More info about I Phone here (link)
For games, I would like to see Frenzic. I think it’s a perfect game for the interface. I would also like to see Landware make a version of PocketQuicken (that would bring me back to Quicken from Moneydance, as I can’t see the folks at Moneydance creating creating an iPhone app that would sync with their desktop app). I would also like to see eReader and MacJournal.
I want an ebook reader. Mobipocket are you listening?
My wish list:
- Documents to Go or similar for viewing and editing office documents
- Database
- Dictionaries
- Navigation
- Traveller applications (weather, currencies etc.)
- Password collection (like SplashID)
- Money manager
- …
As you see, I own a Treo 650 … ;-)
I have a feeling everybody and their grandmother will jump on the iPhone bandwagon. So mark my words, there will be more than enough of these so-called widgets or mini apps for the iPhone. In case you’ve forgotten, the iPhone is powered by one of the most powerful OS on the market today.
[quote comment="3186"]For games, I would like to see Frenzic. I think it’s a perfect game for the interface. I would also like to see Landware make a version of PocketQuicken (that would bring me back to Quicken from Moneydance, as I can’t see the folks at Moneydance creating creating an iPhone app that would sync with their desktop app). I would also like to see eReader and MacJournal.[/quote]
Can you imagine playing Bejeweled in portrait or landscape mode simply using your finger?! OMG - the sky is the limit!
[quote comment="3206"]My wish list:
- Documents to Go or similar for viewing and editing office documents
- Database
- Dictionaries
- Navigation
- Traveller applications (weather, currencies etc.)
- Password collection (like SplashID)
- Money manager
- …
As you see, I own a Treo 650 … ;-)[/quote]
As far as document reader, I have a feeling Apple is working with Google to provide mobile versions of Google doc and spreadsheet. Navigation is a must! I know AT&T uses TeleNav for GPS, so lets hope the folks at TeleNav will have something at launch or soon after.
First, as has been said… there will undoubtedly be a whole host of apps available for the iPhone in time.
Second, I’m almost certain that come June 29th there will be an app already on the iPhone (or available to DL through iTunes) for viewing spreadsheets and word docs. It will either be a custom solution provided by Apple or a solution based around the current Google alternative.
Third, I have no clue why people have this concept that a nav app is soooo crucial. Most people would never use it or already have that functionality in their vehicle. I say this just based on my casual observation of the friends and acquaintances I have that own “smartphones” (not a small number by any regard, but not overwhelming, either). Not one of them ever touches the nav capabilities.
Also, isn’t GPS built in to all phones by default nowadays? I thought there was some federal legislation to that extent a few years ago that required the capability to be present but allowed the manufacturer to decide whether to enable it it by default. Mind you, I could be pulling this out of the air, but something keeps scratching in my memory to that extent.
Fourth, as for database apps for the iPhone… let us not forget about Filemaker (an Apple subsidiary). They have made Filmaker Mobile for years to allow PDAs to access FM dbs. I have no doubt thta we will also see a similar component for the iPhone in due course.
Fifth, the must have app for me on the iPhone will be Delicious Library… hell, I don’t even need a completely functioning version of the app, just the ability to sync my library and view it on the phone. Being the movie geek I am, I have well over 1200 DVDs in my collection and being able to search that easily while I’m rummaging through the Target “$5 each” bin would be a godsend!
Ciao!
SplashID and a good list manager, please! I came from a Treo as well and would love a list app like the Treo’s (yes, I’ve tried OneTrip but it’s not quite there yet).
Leave a Comment