Adrenaline Apps

<— Click to download app ($0.99)

I travel a lot for work so having a GPS navigation unit in new cities is a must-have. I used to carry around a separate navigation unit like a Garmin or TomTom because I didn’t trust the accuracy or reliability of the iPhone apps. One time last year, I did try a couple and it sent me to the wrong place, the long way. Once was enough. However in the last few months, I’ve used the native Maps app, the free version from MapQuest, ALK CoPilot and MotionX Drive. I used them side-by-side with my TomTom unit just in case.

• The native Maps app doesn’t update your location in real-time and I think it’s as bad as a print-out of directions from a usability standpoint.
• The free MapQuest version was ok but didn’t have features I wanted like landscape view or time-to-destination. But hey, it’s free, so I really shouldn’t complain.
• I hated the ALK CoPilot – not only were the maps not updated (my home address didn’t show up and it’s been here over 12 years) but every time there’s an update, you have to re-download all 1.66GB again – it’s a huge app. It took forever and sometimes wouldn’t because you actually need 2x the 1.66GB because you have to download it first before the update would happen. Waste of $20!
• But for $0.99, the MotionX Drive is so impressive. This app used to cost $25 but now, after the $0.99, you pay either $3 for voice-turn-by-turn directions or $20 per year. The app graphics and information display is so good, that you don’t need the voice in my opinion. It has every feature that $100-$250 standalone GPS navigation units have and it’s very easy to use.

MotionX GPS Drive….hands down.

<— Click here to go to the app!

If you’re like me, I’ve given up my point-shoot camera and use my iPhone for most of my picture taking. But the problem is is that unless you spend a lot of time in iPhoto or on your PC organizing your pics, the iPhone Photo app is  basically one, huge photo folder that’s sorted chronologically – not very easy to zero in on the photo/s you’re looking for if you have hundreds.

I been using this app called Photo+Folder (Pic+Organize+Video+Secret). For photos that are important, you can put them in folders that you name. Not only do I use it for vacation photos and projects, but also for work where I take pics of the whiteboard where we’ve been brainstorming ideas and other meeting notes. What I also do is create an “important documents” folder and take pics of our driver’s licenses, passports, insurance policies, mortgage statements… anything where you know you can access information immediately and have a virtual copy of them for safe keeping. The app has a password lock capability for any folder you want to keep private.

You can also share photos directly to Facebook or Twitter, move photos and folders around easily and last but not least, back up files wirelessly. It’s a sweet app.

<— Click here to go to the app!

A lot of people with iPhones have asked me which To Do List is the best. Having used over a dozen, I’ve stuck with Todo by Appigo. It has the cleanest and most intuitive interface. Entering tasks is fast and you can easily sort tasks in folders as well as prioritize the most important ones with their “Focus” category. It also syncs with my iPad version through their cloud website which is really convenient.

It supports GTD “Getting Things Done” method which “rests on the principle that a person needs to move tasks out of the mind by recording them externally. That way, the mind is freed from the job of remembering everything that needs to be done, and can concentrate on actually performing those tasks.” Thank you Wikipedia…

Honorable mentions are:

Toodledo – To Do List

2Do: Tasks Done in Style

The only iPhone app where YOU ask “Where R U?” to find the location of iPhone users who are family, friends and co-workers who also have Where R U? installed on their iPhone.
Recipients reply by pressing the “I am here!” button and you get back their location via a map with directions!

Great for:

• Locating where people are: kids, significant other, colleagues/co-workers/employees
• Making sure loved ones made it to their destination
• Picking up people in unknown areas
• Letting people know where you are

Track Me

When you receive a Where R U? request, you can respond with “Here I am”. You can also select “Track Me” and enter how long and how often you want to be tracked. Example: Every 15 minutes for 30 minutes – the app will send your location to the requester 3 times – at the time you press “Track Me”, after 15 mins and one more time at 30 mins.

• The requester will receive your location with a map
• You can also enter a short message along with your location
• Note: App must remain open when sending locations over time

Send My Location
You can send your location via email or push notification for a specified duration and frequency
After selecting the contact (email address, iPhone or Mobile #), you choose how long and how often you want to send your location to someone. Example: Every 15 minutes for 30 minutes – the app will send your location 3 times – at the time you press “Send”, after 15 mins, and one more time at 30 mins.

• The recipient will receive your location with a map
• You can also enter a short message along with your location
• Note 1: App must remain open when sending locations over time.
• Note 2: For Push Notifications, the recipient must have Where R U? installed on their iPhone

NOTE:
- Recipients must have Where R U? installed on their iPhone unless you are just emailing your current location.
- iPod Touch users: register with any personal phone number (10-digits). Requires Wi-Fi.

Problems? Feedback / Suggestions? Please email us at: ih8msft@gmail.com