Merlin’s weekly podcast with Dan Benjamin. We talk about creativity, independence, and making things you love.
iPhone Apps I'd Totally Buy
Merlin Mann | Jul 17 2008
But it got me thinking about the stuff I want -- the itches I want to scratch. So, iPhone developer friends. Please make these three apps. Prime ThisElevator pitch: Scan barcode to instantly order an item via Amazon Out and about and see something you want to buy? Maybe a book, CD, or DVD that you want, but don't want to buy/carry/pack right now? No problem. Take a photo of the item's barcode, hit one button, and the item is instantly ordered through Amazon 1-Click using your default credit card and shipping preferences. Done. Yeah, I know; I know. You want price comparisons, and wish lists, and an API for tagging and "mashups." Well, suck it up; you're not who this is for. This is for hardcore, mainlining Amazon Prime power users. That's why it has exactly one button: "Prime This." Suggested price: Free (developer will make a killing on affiliate money) iParkedElevator pitch: Location-aware parking reminder Open the app, hit a button, and your location is noted and added to a map. Optionally add an alarm (for the parking meter or street cleaning), notes and photos ("3rd level; Area G"), and other pertinent data ("Closes at 1am; after hours number is...."). When you're ready to go to your car, the app reminds you where you parked (with a walking map), and off you go. Suggested price: $5 That Reminds MeElevator pitch: Lightweight, location-aware alarm app Tell TRM the really mushy kinds of things that fall somewhere between a todo and a wish and a curiosity.
Using functionality similar to OmniFocus's flexible, location-aware contexts, add new items to your list with optional alarms and start/end dates. Then forget about it. Next time you're geographically near where you need to be, you get a reminder and a map to get you there. Suggested price: $5 The Question to YouWhat’s the iPhone app you crave? What would take great advantage of Location Services, the camera, SDK features, or what have you? What itch do you want to have scratched? 52 Comments
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 Don't think that "Prime This" will work with iPhone opticsSubmitted by rob_durst on July 17, 2008 - 10:04am.
Merlin: I don't believe that the current iPhone optics will read standard UPC/EAN product codes since the camera has to be: (a) close enough to get enough pixels on the code to capture the linear barcode detail (b) in focus so that the image is not blurred; and (c) far enough away to capture the entire barcode at once (unless you have some image stitching capability on board). This usually requires the device to have: (a) a swappable macro focus lens; or (b) macro autofocus capability; or (c) other macro focus optics. Optics should work fine for "2D mobile codes", like QR, since: (a) they have larger elements and (b) they include error correction that allows you to calculate botched elements that you capture using the good ones that you capture (assuming that you have enough good ones). Will check. BTW, if this does work a great application would be to scan a UPC/EAN and then check for availability on eBay. They already have a WAP front end up that you can submit a UPC/EAN to ( m.ebay.com ) » POSTED IN:
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