Where To? 7.0: iPhone local search app completely redesigned – at launch 33% off!

Where To?, the long-standing, popular local search app gets a large update. The user interface was completely rewritten and optimized for iOS 7 and 8. It is a paid update: existing users benefit from a 14 day introductory period and may get the new app for $1.99 instead of $2.99.

The app determines the location via GPS and lets the user choose from more than 2,200 search queries in more than 700 categories. In an instant the app lists all matches nearby. The results are visualized on a map or in a list sorted by distance.

First, the circular selection menu aids in selecting the main category for the search. Then, the user can drill down to the desired category with just a few taps. For each result the app offers a data sheet with detailed information. It displays the address and phone number and – if known – the business hours, the dinner menus, the homepage as well as user ratings and reviews.

Where To? 7.0 – What’s new
A lot has been changed in the new Where To? app. The user interface in Where To? 7.0 has been completely restructured and redesigned not only for the current iOS 7 but also with the upcoming iOS 8 in mind.

The extensive work requires a paid update. That means: Existing users need to purchase the new app again. For existing users and early birds an introductory period of two weeks is offered. In this time frame the app is available for $1.99 (instead of $2.99).

The new features in summary:

• Details: The details page is now seamlessly integrated with the map. That means the map is now always visible, at least in part.
• Separation of Reviews and Photos: Now there are three tabs on details pages: “Details”, “Reviews” and “Photos”. It’s not required to open a sub page anymore. The new photos browser gives more room to the photos with larger thumbnails.
• New list view: In list views, single items can be swiped to the left to display contextual buttons. Categories and place results can be marked as favorites. For place results directions can now be opened more quickly.
• BMW ConnectedDrive: Where To? now also works together with BMW along with Mercedes-Benz and Audi. The place information can now be sent to BMW ConnectedDrive to transfer it easily to the BMW dashboard. The cumbersome manual adding of destinations in the onboard navigation system is gone.
• Pebble smart watch: Where To? is compatible with Pebble smart watches. The free Where To? companion app for Pebble must be installed. Then the watch displays the direction and distance to the destination. The iPhone can be kept in the pocket while going to the destination.
• New sharing option: Found places could always be shared via text message, Facebook, Twitter or email. When sharing via email the address is now attached as a Vcard to easily import it. If the recipient also has an iPhone destinations can now be sent using AirDrop as well.

Ortwin Gentz of app developer FutureTap: “We worked long and hard on version 7. We’re especially proud of the various sophisticated animations, for instance when dealing with the new category wheel. It all adds up to a more fluid and pleasing user experience.”

Here is the description from the site.

Navigate your world with Google Maps, now available for iPhone. Get comprehensive, accurate and easy-to-use maps with built-in Google local search, voice guided turn-by-turn navigation, public transit directions, Street View and more. Use Google Maps to discover great places to eat, drink, shop and play, with ratings and reviews from people you trust. Sign in to save your favorite places and quickly access all your past searches and directions from your computer, right on your phone.

Search
* Find addresses, places and businesses around the world with Google local search.
* Discover places to eat, drink, shop and play, with ratings and local reviews.
* Sign in to sync your searches, directions, and favorite places between your computer and your phone.

Directions
* Get voice guided, turn-by-turn driving directions.
* Find your way by train, bus, subway or walking directions.
* Access live traffic information in cities across the world.

Street View and imagery
* View 360-degree panoramas of places around the globe with Street View.
* See inside more than 100,000 businesses worldwide.
* View high resolution satellite imagery of locations around the world.

Simple and easy to use
* An entirely new Google Maps experience on your iPhone.
* Newly designed and streamlined interface for even easier navigation of your world.
* Use gestures to explore the map and browse results.

I’m going to repeat some of the things I said in my first post; why iOS 6 maps is a disappointment, but before I do, I want to repeat a point. When ever a new iphone is released, there tends to be an issue here and there.  Antenna-gate, poor battery performance, crashing, etc..  Also, new features tend to need a little help. Siri was not all the perfect in the beginning… when it worked.  normally its pretty forgivable (except antenna-gate) because even though they almost never admit it, they tend to get things fixed.  However, this time, they have not released something new, but instead replaced something that was working well with something that CLEARLY does not.

Maps on the iphone was the killer app for me.  It was like nothing I have ever seen before with my other smart phones (yes there were smart phones before Apple folks) but the beauty, speed and usefulness of Maps was mind blowing.  Then came GPS, then directions including public transit and traffic.  It was sweet.  Life was good.  Now its sucks.

I’m not even going to start with the lost of public transport, it was there, now its gone.  Done.  No, its search that really bugs me.  I use Google map search A LOT.  And its very good. Not perfect, but very good.  Now when I try a search, like ‘fast food’, I do not get a list of fast food places near me, but places that have ‘fast food’ in their review. Did you know Jamba Joice is fast food?  Yup.  Next time I’m going to try a burger via their drive through.  Worse, its finding places that do not exist anymore, and sometimes gives you the wrong directions on how to get there.  Really!  How can you mess that up?

Oh and traffic.  Fu get a baw it.  I do not like how cluttered Google maps is but at least I can get the traffic info when I need it.  iOS6 maps?  A dotted red line. That’s it.  And not for all roads either.  Nice.  So not only cannot I not always find what I’m looking for, when I find it, IF I find it, it may not be there and I could get stuck in some serious traffic on the way.  Great.

I’m not the only one finding issue with iOS6 maps. There is even a tumbler dedicated to the screw ups.

Now Google is already working on, and most likely already finished with, their own map app.  I’m looking forward to seeing this as well as a jailbreak that will make the Google maps app my default mapping application.  But I would not be surprised if Apple decides to block it via non compete.

The iPhone 5 is a nice phone.  Its lite, the bigger screen looks odd but I’m sure I could get used to it, its SUPER fast, but I have no plans of getting one till mapping is sorted out.  I just hope Apple does not do something duchbaggery like killing support for the original Google Maps.  Hey, they might!  You never know.   And you know, that could push me over to Android.

First is Dropp.  The man point of this app is not to serve as a location based reminder system but instead an interesting way to leave notes based on location.  I tried it and it works as expected.  However, you have to have the app running for precises location matching so this provides limited functionality if you want to protect the iphones battery life. The good news is if you do not need precise location detection, the app can use wifi reckoning which, although not as accurate, will not suck up your battery.  A second issue is that it only displayed a note, it does not send a message.

The next app just came out.  Called iSms@Spot  is is more focused on performing the single act of sending a message based on location however different from Dropp, it will send a message, email, SMS and iMessage.  This is most useful if you need to alert someone else once you arrive at a location.  However, I do like to use it to send SMS reminder messages while I’m driving.

So both apps will do what you need as far as getting an alert once you enter a certain location, however they both have the same limitation if you need precise location detecting which requires the GPS and the app has to be running and can greatly reduce your battery life.  so hopefully you keep your iphone plugged in at home as well as in the car.  However, in most cases, using wifi reckoning should be good enough.

Movingworld is glad to announce the release of “Maps 3D 2.5” an 3D outdoor App for the iPhone. Thanks to Maps 3D (formerly GeoGuide 3D) you will never get lost on the slopes again. The outdoor tracking app retrieves the required off-line maps for the category “Ski, Bike & Hike” before the start of a trip, marks waypoints and keeps an eye on the destination. As a special Christmas present the new version 2.5 offers 340 ski areas in 3D. This way the next ski lift is easily located, even in heavy snowfall. Till December 20th the app is being offered at only $1.99 instead of $2.99.

In a nutshell:
* GeoGuide 3D is now called Maps 3D
* New version 2.5 of the 3D outdoor app for the iPhone has been released
* Worldwide 2D and 3D off-line maps
* Assists with GPS orientation and track recording
* Indicates POI, such as locations, mountain tops, lakes and forests …
* Importing and setting up of waypoints
* New: 340 ski areas worldwide in 3D
* New: sharper and faster map display
* New: waypoints can be linked with photos
* New: a line connects the current position with the destination
* Special Offer: from now till December 20th only $1.99 (instead of $2.99)

Venture of the road and the best navigation system is of no use. It’s now time for the outdoor apps. GeoGuide 3D is an established name in this area. However, in order to gain greater international attention, it changed it’s name. In it’s new version 2.5 it will now be the iPhone app Maps 3D.

What does Maps 3D offer:
The outdoor app incorporates data from OpenStreetMap and OpenCycleMap. Anyone that would like to go hiking, climbing, cycling or be in involved in geocaches, simply downloads the required maps in three possible resolutions from the internet. This can be done before the trip and the data may be retrieved off-line at any time on the iPhone. Locally it can be viewed either in 2D or 3D (realistic relief with elevation lines) in order to avoid getting lost.

The app finds the current location via GPS and marks it on the map. Maps 3D is familiar with plenty of natural reference points such as mountains, lakes, rivers, trails and many other landmarks. Waypoints may be imported or newly added during the preparation process. Destinations can be defined and easily located through precise instructions, including the assistance of a compass. The automatic tracking feature records the already traveled distance. After completing the route it may be sent out via e-mail.

Maps 3D 2.5 now offers 340 ski areas in 3D:
Maps 3D 2.5 is not only getting ready for the winter season, but also for winter sports. The new version 2.5 now features additional 3D maps of 340 popular ski areas around the world. The number of ski areas is constantly increasing which means that the fundus will gradually become more extensive

Moritz Gaupp of the Wurzburg movingworld: “The 340 ski areas in 3D are our Christmas present to loyal customers. The maps are not only the perfect tool to avoid getting lost on and off the slopes, they also assist in finding the nearest ski lift. Skiers can record their downhill run and compare it with those of friends.”

The new version provides sharper maps and shorter downloading times. Waypoints may be linked directly from the app with a photo. Important for cross-country navigation: for the first time the new version of Maps 3D 2.5 will display the linear distance from the actual position to the destination. This is a great tool to get oriented and to precisely target the destination point.

Device Requirements:
* iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad
* Requires iOS 3.1.3 or later
* 9.2 MB

Pricing and Availability:
For one week only, Maps 3D 2.5 is $1.99 USD (Reg $2.99) or equivalent amount in other currencies and available worldwide exclusively through the App Store in the Navigation category. The lite version may be tried out for free. The update offers more than 60 improvements and is of course free of charge for previous users of GeoGuide 3D. Journalists that would like to test the program may request a promotional code from Press Agency Typemania. This way the app can be obtained and tested free of charge.

Maps 3D 2.5: http://www.movingworld.de
Purchase and Download: http://itunes.apple.com/app/geoguide-3d-worldwide-maps/id391304000

Spy Cobra PC monitoring software: Secretly monitor up to (5) five different computers, capture screenshots, all typed text, web searches – in complete stealth mode.  Super fast 15 second installation – demand to know how your computer is being used.  Monitor your employees, your kids, your spouse, or anyone that is using your computer – you deserve to know – so quit guessing and find out today.

>> The new Spy Cobra Deluxe even EMAILS YOU the data that it captures so you never have to go back to the target computer again!

  iTrail GPS Covert Tracking Device: Track your kids, your spouse, your employees with pinpoint accuracy!  Are your kids really driving or going where they say they are?  Is your significant other really going to lunch at the usual place?  Where’s she going for the next girl’s night out?  Why did it take him so long to get home?  Quit guessing – use the iTrail GPS Tracker one time and know for sure!

Our new keychain voice recorders are selling in record numbers!  Never miss an important conversation again.  Who said what?  No witnesses?  No one to back you up?  Did they back out of that deal?  Need evidence of harassment on the job?  Tired of that foul mouth in the break room?  What’s going on at home while you’re away?  They secretly record up to 17 hours on a single battery charge and we’ve added a new stealth design that no one else sells. 

“Apple has made it possible for almost anybody – a jealous spouse, a private detective – with access to your phone or computer to get detailed information about where you’ve been,” said Pete Warden, one of the researchers.

Credit to Alasdair Allan and Pete Warden for breaking this.

They also created an app to view this data.  Get it here..

petewarden.github.com/iPhoneTracker

This is Mac only at the moment. Once someone writes a script for PC I’ll post it up.

Below is a video where they talk about this during the Where 2.0 conference.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GynEFV4hsA0

UPDATE:  the app is now $0.99 in the store and there are two new features.

* Includes walking/jogging mode

* A Visual alert

The app is called Mayday Light developed by Meidad Pariente. The basic premise of this app is to monitor the phone GPS and accelerometers to detect non standard moment. For example, if you are doing 30mph, then suddenly drop to near 0 mph in a non linear manner, it would alert you for 1 min and if you do not respond, it will send out 5 emails with your position.  You can check out the video at the end of this post for a demo.

If the algorithms are set up correctly on this app the odds of a false alarm are pretty unlikely, however for a motorcycle rider, it may be a bit harder to detect.  If you are riding, and say slide out from a turn or wet payment, 1 of two things will happen; you will slide to a stop, or you will tumble to a stop. If you tumble I’m guessing the app will detect this.  If you slide, then this could look like a quick stop as far as the phone is concerned.  Video at the end of post. I have no intentions of testing this.   More from the creator….

When “MayDay Light” is activated on the user’s iPhone, it samples the onboard GPS and accelerometers to monitor the velocity and acceleration of the vehicle it is driving in via a simple but effective algorithm, and which can detect the characteristic indications of an accident with little chance of a false alarm.

As soon as “Mayday Light” detects that that an event has occurred which could be an accident, it sets off an alarm which will operate for 1 minute, during which time the automatic reporting can be reset thus preventing unnecessary nuisance accident emails.  After the minute has elapsed, the email messages with the pre-prepared text will be sent to the email addresses which have been prepared in advance by the user

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwJ76ts4sCY

The really exciting part is taking this whole biking thing from a peaceful getting-in-touch-with-nature-and-yourself sort of thing to a competitive online exercise tracking arena. I get more pumped from the idea that I’m going to compete with others when doing anything, whether it be power-walking, fiction writing, or making a coffee in the morning. The nature of the website is that you can either upload the results from your GPS device, or you can enter a ride in manually, if you didn’t have your device with you on your last ride.

The website has a variance of useful features, including a comprehensive analysis of your ride statistics and heart rate among other things. You can get the ease of the internet working for your biking plan by staying in touch with your cycling community online with a twitter-like interface. There’s even a way that you can track the mileage of your bike’s equipment, so as to keep your bike in top condition. Additionally, you can program future rides to stop short of a radius of a place you would like to avoid.

There is a basic plan which is free, and of course, their premium plan called the Velo Plan. I’ve gotta say Velo shapes up to be a much better plan from the looks of it, and at a measly $6/mo or $59/year package should be easily affordable to anyone. Rather than limiting yourself to a total of five rides and only going to public clubs and events, you have access to private clubs and events, too.

Good news for apple fans, too, Strava is working on an app for iPhone to make this process quick and easy for those that want it all in one simple little package. Visit http://www.strava.com/ to take a tour.

Fumbling with my pen and little notebook in the dark, struggling to see my odometer reading, I realized there must be a better way to track business miles. My cofounder, Evan Kirchhoff, looked over and asked why I was cursing under my breath. He then asked why I wasn’t using a mobile app to handle this.

So we looked in the app marketplaces for a mileage app, but the ones we found wanted you to manually type in odometer readings with the phone keyboard, which wasn’t much of a step forward.

That’s when Evan said, “We have the technology. There’s already GPS in the mobile devices we carry around, so we should remove the friction from this process.”

With Mobimileage, in 3 simple steps you can record miles driven for up to 4 different vehicles or 4 different businesses:

That’s it. Your log is now stored, and you can email the mileage records to yourself.

Simple. And free!

Download it here: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/mobimileage-free/id417567338?mt=8

Mobimileage is the first project by Roving Screens.