SocialDiscovery
Latest
AppShopper returns to the App Store with new social discovery focus
AppShopper, a popular app-recommendation tool, disappeared from the App Store this past December when Apple ruled it didn't meet the company's updated store guidelines. The guideline that AppShopper specifically violated states, "Apps that display Apps other than your own for purchase or promotion in a manner similar to or confusing with the App Store will be rejected." Given that was the entire thrust behind AppShopper, it seemed the app was doomed. Today, however, AppShopper relaunched as App Shopper Social, a new approach to the old idea that got them in trouble in the first place. Rather than the app specifically making recommendations to you like the old model, the new app makes social recommendations based on your friends who use the app. And who is the first friend recommended to you upon booting up the program? Why, it's App Shopper themselves. These recommendations show up in your "Stream." You can find new friends via a built-in Twitter search function or by manually adding user names. By focusing on social recommendations, the company has been able to work around the Apple Store guideline regarding market place confusion. Version 1.0 of the new app is still lacking some of the features users may remember from its original incarnation, including the "What's New" and "Top 200" lists. In addition, the iPad app hasn't been updated yet. The company has promised these issues will be fixed in future updates.
Trover Mobile Discovery app re-launched today
Trover joins the ranks of free GPS-powered apps for the iPhone that can guide you intelligently to places of interest near you or while traveling the world. It has some interesting twists that make it unique, giving it kind of a feel of Instagram meets Yelp. Trover had a limited release that required a Facebook login, but an update allows you to sign up using email or Twitter. Developer Rich Barton told me the app tries to simulate the experience of walking around a neighborhood looking for food, or retail stores, or even a park as you discover things you might not otherwise notice. When you open the app you'll see thumbnails of pictures listed in order of distance to you. You can also take a picture yourself, add a description and comments, and it will be uploaded for the world to see. If you find friends or users who have similar interests, you can choose to share in their discoveries. I was surprised to find quite a few entries in my little corner of southern Arizona, and as more people sign up there will be more usable content. If you read about a location, you will see it on a map and your own location so you can navigate to it. If you tap on the map you'll get directions from Google Maps. There are some potential security issues with the app. If you take pictures around your home, or your backyard, your location is exposed to people looking at your messages. Your email remains private, but people can comment on your uploads. There's nothing to prevent the upload of offensive pictures, but the developers say any upload can be flagged by users, and if it is inappropriate it will be removed. Trover is iPhone only, but an iPad version should appear early next year. I liked using the app, because it gives an extra dimension to search beyond what apps like FourSquare, Instagram and Yelp can provide. If you're interested in socially based discovery apps, Trover is free and worth a look. %Gallery-129414%
