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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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 Re: Don't think that "Prime This" will work with iPhone opticsSubmitted by tashtego on July 17, 2008 - 11:32am.
If you do check, please post a follow-up. One thought I've had is that even if the barcode graphic isn't readable, the ISBN (I'm thinking of writing an app that scans a book's ISBN and adds it to your request queue at your library) might be. Likewise, the lines might be blurry, but the numbers in the UPC might be readable. There's already a library for Cocoa that can scan a barcode from a photo, so if no one has done it yet that would lead one to believe that it's the camera's fault. » POSTED IN:
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