AppDemo
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Kickfolio puts iOS apps on the web for hands-on interaction
Developers working on iOS applications have had a bit of a dilemma regarding app demos and beta testing. Getting a prerelease or ad-hoc version of an app out to testers' devices can be complicated, expensive or both -- although services like Testflight and Hockeyapp can streamline the process if needed. For marketing, many devs have used a short video to try to get across the key points of an app, while others use the freemium model to let users give the app a try before purchasing full functionality through an in-app purchase. They could also choose to not create a demo and use word of mouth and a good website to explain their app. Kickfolio, launched in December, is an innovative idea for developers who want testers to poke and prod or potential purchasers to try before they buy -- a fully functioning version of their app available in streaming fashion over the web. Kickfolio's service is quite reasonably priced. Developers get a private testing page for their apps, and for public access they pay by the number of embed sessions that are required -- in other words, how many times an app is accessed through a site other than Kickfolio. Prices start at US$9 per month for an unlimited number of apps and 500 embed sessions, on up to $69 monthly for unlimited apps and 5000 embed sessions. Enterprise plans with no cap on the number of embed sessions are also available upon request. To get the app online, the developer simply uploads the binary to his or her Kickfolio account. The embed is immediately available on the testing page, and can be dropped into any website in seconds. For customers visiting the website, the iOS app shows up onscreen with an "interactive demo" badge encouraging the user to touch or click on the demo app. From that point, the user is essentially working with a live version of the app. A small cloud icon provides the user with a way to share the app's iTunes App Store address via email or text message. The embed uses HTML5 and CSS, keeping Flash completely out of the picture. The resulting embed can be viewed and used in any modern browser, and response time is excellent -- a test of the RunKeeper app on the Kickfolio website was quite usable over an LTE connection on an iPad or iPhone. For developers, Kickfolio is a wonderful way to let potential purchasers or beta testers try an app. Thanks Derek!
TUAW TV Live: Apps, unboxing, and the usual cast of characters
Welcome back to TUAW TV Live! Today's show is going to give you a look at some new products; we'll delve into some of my favorite new apps; and we'll also engage in the endless conversation in the chat room. No guests are visiting this week so I can see if Skype is causing some of the streaming issues I've been running into, but Ruby the Internet Famous Cat may decide to grace the show with her feline presence. Below, you'll find a Ustream livestream viewer and a chat tool. The chat tool allows you to participate by asking questions or making comments. IRC fans can join us in the "official" chatroom: server chat1.ustream.tv, room #tuaw-tv. You'll be watching the show in glorious HD! If you're driving somewhere and would like to watch TUAW TV Live while you're stuck in traffic, please don't -- keep your eyes on the road! However, if someone else is doing the driving, you can watch the show on your iPhone and join the chat by downloading the free Ustream App. It's a universal app and is wonderful on an iPad, both for viewing and participating in the chat. In addition, the live stream and chat will be available through our Facebook page. Just point your browser here to watch the show and chat with other viewers while you're on Facebook. We'll start at about 5 PM ET, so if you're seeing a prerecorded show, be sure to refresh your browser until you see the live stream. For those of you who are not able to join us for the live edition, you'll be able to view it later this evening on our TUAW Video YouTube channel and as part of the TUAW TV Live podcast viewable in iTunes or on any of your Apple devices.
Video App Demo: PhotoMind
PhotoMind came about because its creator realized he kept forgetting to deal with the photos he was taking on his iPhone. I've run into this same issue, as it is all too easy to keep snapping away on your iPhone (or iPad, I guess), only to go sync and forget to launch iPhoto (which I avoid like the plague these days) or otherwise forget to pull the pics off your iOS device. Oddly enough PhotoMind won't necessarily help you with this problem, but does something else -- it sets timed reminders for photos. Why would you use a photo as a reminder? I can think of dozens of reasons. While I use Evernote to capture all sorts of things, having reminders for some of those photo notes would be useful -- stuff that falls under the "look this up when you get home" category, specifically. There's also the odd use case where you're at a party and want to remember to email a person you just met something you were discussing. PhotoMind allows you to email these pics and save them to your camera roll, so beyond a reminder app you can still use the photos elsewhere. Take a look at the app in action below. if(typeof AOLVP_cfg==='undefined')AOLVP_cfg=[];AOLVP_cfg.push({id:'AOLVP_1071552376001','codever':0.1, 'autoload':false, 'autoplay':false, 'playerid':'61371448001', 'videoid':'1071552376001', 'width':480, 'height':270, 'stillurl':'http://pdl.stream.aol.com/pdlext/aol/brightcove/studionow/p/651db0b15858e/r/a9d96458e4860/al/195363/poster-10.jpg', 'playertype':'inline','videotitle':'TUAW - App Demo - PhotoMind','videolink':'#'});
Video App Demo: Temple Run
Temple Run is an exemplary "pick up and play" game which will take you back to the days of Pitfall or (for you younger cats) Mirror's Edge or Canabalt. Like those running games, your job is to just keep running. But in Temple Run you're running through a maze of pathways in the ruins of an ancient temple somewhere -- a setting not unlike the first Indiana Jones, really. The great graphics and solid gameplay make this one a fun, simple game to play anytime. As you can see below, the interaction is straightforward. As you're running your job is to swipe left/right to turn onto the paths, and up/down to jump or slide over and under obstacles. Things getting progressively faster, so you'll find those twitch muscles warming up fast. There are some other surprises, like powerups and a few environments as well. Take a look at the short demo below to get a taste of what Temple Run has to offer. Note that this was an early version of the game (taped in June 2011) and the YouTube demo video shows a bit more polish on the game. if(typeof AOLVP_cfg==='undefined')AOLVP_cfg=[];AOLVP_cfg.push({id:'AOLVP_1071552387001','codever':0.1, 'autoload':false, 'autoplay':false, 'playerid':'61371448001', 'videoid':'1071552387001', 'width':480, 'height':270, 'stillurl':'http://pdl.stream.aol.com/pdlext/aol/brightcove/studionow/p/41936d568f86a/r/0434f7c631682/al/195380/poster-10.jpg', 'playertype':'inline','videotitle':'TUAW - App Demo - Temple Run','videolink':'#'});
Video App Demo: GENWI
We've covered GENWI before, but to recap: GENWI is a cloud-based (read: Web) app creation and management system for businesses. While there are numerous platforms and 3rd party services which will "wrap up" your content into a native app, GENWI does all of this on the web, and it's a pretty compelling service. You can also create HTML5 mobile apps, but the native app tool is likely more interesting to publishers. GENWI also allows you to update your content live via their tools. Pricing is US$99/month for web and smaller-screen usage, and you'll need to have a developer account to publish these on the App Store. If you want to deploy an iPad app, however, the cost jumps to $499 per month. Be sure to see it in action below. if(typeof AOLVP_cfg==='undefined')AOLVP_cfg=[];AOLVP_cfg.push({id:'AOLVP_1071560759001','codever':0.1, 'autoload':false, 'autoplay':false, 'playerid':'61371448001', 'videoid':'1071560759001', 'width':480, 'height':270, 'stillurl':'http://pdl.stream.aol.com/pdlext/aol/brightcove/studionow/p/df65132d90100/r/602fa50dbd955/al/195370/poster-10.jpg', 'playertype':'inline','videotitle':'TUAW - App Demo - GENWI','videolink':'#'});
Video App Demo: Submerged
Something tells me kids and college students are going to love this one. Submerged is not a "useful" app like your address book or even a Twitter app -- it is a toy, or novelty app. Submerged takes video from the iPhone and warps it depending upon how you shake or move the iPhone. Silly? Perhaps, but it's the sort of thing that also shows off the fancy tricks iOS can do with your phone. A few years ago this sort of thing wouldn't have even been possible on mobile hardware! Of course, Submerged isn't just looking at the world as though it were underwater -- it can freeze those images and you can (at any time) poke and prod the image to further distort it. You can also modify pictures you've already taken. Of course you can share these images in myriad ways as well. To see submerged in action, just check out the video below. It's actually a kind of fun (if not entirely useful) novelty app. if(typeof AOLVP_cfg==='undefined')AOLVP_cfg=[];AOLVP_cfg.push({id:'AOLVP_1071537735001','codever':0.1, 'autoload':false, 'autoplay':false, 'playerid':'61371448001', 'videoid':'1071537735001', 'width':480, 'height':270, 'stillurl':'http://pdl.stream.aol.com/pdlext/aol/brightcove/studionow/p/2caf964eac46f/r/38fb941ff3b4b/al/193924/poster-10.jpg', 'playertype':'inline','videotitle':'TUAW - App Demo - Submerged','videolink':'#'});
Video App Demo: Checkin+
If you're looking for an app to combine checkins for Foursquare and Facebook Places try Checkin+ from the makers of IM+, a multi-protocol IM tool. Checkin+ will do just that, and adds the ability to see locations in a 2D map or 3D augmented reality view. Checkin+ will also allow you to see friends nearby, which is fun for when you were supposed to meet somewhere, but you can't quite remember where. While I'd like to see a few more services supported (like Gowalla, especially), Checkin+ looks like a simple app that does something rather well. Check it out in action below. if(typeof AOLVP_cfg==='undefined')AOLVP_cfg=[];AOLVP_cfg.push({id:'AOLVP_1071514350001','codever':0.1, 'autoload':false, 'autoplay':false, 'playerid':'61371448001', 'videoid':'1071514350001', 'width':480, 'height':270, 'stillurl':'http://pdl.stream.aol.com/pdlext/aol/brightcove/studionow/p/64798a403b799/r/54fd57d9ae24f/al/193918/poster-10.jpg', 'playertype':'inline','videotitle':'TUAW - App Demo - Checkin+','videolink':'#'});
Video App Demo: InClass
An app for students, InClass aims to be a universal go-to app for high school and college kids. Featuring a calendar, assignments with classes attached, also viewable from the calendar, an in-app notetaking tool with built-in voice recorder, InClass may very well be the right fit for many students who don't want to bother with three or four separate apps. There's a Backup feature for InClass which will allow you to pack up your data and move it to another device, as the app is available for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch. Take a look at the demo below and see if InClass fits into your workflow, or would be right for any students you know. if(typeof AOLVP_cfg==='undefined')AOLVP_cfg=[];AOLVP_cfg.push({id:'AOLVP_1042620242001','codever':0.1, 'autoload':false, 'autoplay':false, 'playerid':'61371448001', 'videoid':'1042620242001', 'width':480, 'height':270, 'stillurl':'http://pdl.stream.aol.com/pdlext/aol/brightcove/studionow/p/9e4e64374b951/r/943e02569b349/al/193903/poster-10.jpg', 'playertype':'inline','videotitle':'TUAW - App Demo - InClass','videolink':'#'});
Video App Demo: Wasabi
Wasabi is another in a crowded market of "to do" apps, aiming to keep your to do lists handy across iPhone, iPod touch and iPad. There are a number of novel twists keeping Wasabi worth a look for your listmaking needs. The most unique feature are text files which become quicklists, a preset selection of list items which you could use to quickly template a project outline. You can also share tasks with others. Although iOS 5 will have location-based notes and reminders, Wasabi has them now, with the ability to "pin" tasks to a location and have reminders trigger when you are at a location. If you can't wait for iOS 5 or find the upcoming Apple solution too limited, Wasabi is worth a look. Check it out in the video below. if(typeof AOLVP_cfg==='undefined')AOLVP_cfg=[];AOLVP_cfg.push({id:'AOLVP_1042610123001','codever':0.1, 'autoload':false, 'autoplay':false, 'playerid':'61371448001', 'videoid':'1042610123001', 'width':480, 'height':270, 'stillurl':'http://pdl.stream.aol.com/pdlext/aol/brightcove/studionow/p/5bdc8c0735f09/r/eeba48c0881a3/al/193846/poster-10.jpg', 'playertype':'inline','videotitle':'TUAW - App Demo - Wasabi','videodesc':'undefined','videolink':'#'});
Video App Demo - Science360
Today's video app demo is a real treat to see in action. Science360 for iPad aims to make science info cool by presenting it in a very engaging way. Imagine a 360-degree bubble of science information and you were standing in the middle, rotating the interior of the sphere to see beautiful photos and catchy science headlines and you've pictured the basic interface in Science360. But of course, there's more to it than this -- there are videos and images and tons of cool science stories updated frequently in the app. As usual, this app has to be seen to be appreciated, so check out the video of it in action below. And hey, it's free! if(typeof AOLVP_cfg==='undefined')AOLVP_cfg=[];AOLVP_cfg.push({id:'AOLVP_1034527456001','codever':0.1, 'autoload':false, 'autoplay':false, 'playerid':'61371448001', 'videoid':'1034527456001', 'width':480, 'height':270, 'stillurl':'http://pdl.stream.aol.com/pdlext/aol/brightcove/studionow/p/1dd7a933c75a6/r/0f9aa7e33f11f/al/193087/poster-10.jpg', 'playertype':'inline','videotitle':'TUAW - App Demo - Science360','videolink':'#'});
Video App Demo: USB Disk
Let's get this understood up front: USB Disk doesn't allow you to use a USB drive on your iPad. Instead, it uses the metaphor of a physical drive to explain its function: it stores files on your iPad. You get files onto USB Disk using Dropbox, email attachments, FTP, Finder (and your local network), iDisk and of course, iTunes. Yes, USB Disk is another file storage app for your iPad, but a nicely designed one. Check out a walkthrough of its features in the video below and see if it is right for your needs. if(typeof AOLVP_cfg==='undefined')AOLVP_cfg=[];AOLVP_cfg.push({id:'AOLVP_1042602281001','codever':0.1, 'autoload':false, 'autoplay':false, 'playerid':'61371448001', 'videoid':'1042602281001', 'width':480, 'height':270, 'stillurl':'http://pdl.stream.aol.com/pdlext/aol/brightcove/studionow/p/428e96081f267/r/e742a0069e82c/al/193719/poster-10.jpg', 'playertype':'inline','videotitle':'TUAW - App Demo - USB Disk','videolink':'#'});
Video App Demo: WhitePages
If you're over a certain age and live in the USA you may remember the days when giant books filled with addresses and phone numbers were thrown at your house each year by Ma Bell. Unlike countries elsewhere, such as France, where computers took over the task of finding phone numbers before cell phones were popular, the White Pages (and their paid cousin, the Yellow Pages) were a fixture of American life for many years. Of course, now we have smartphones. But if someone isn't in your address book on your iPhone, you can use the WhitePages app to find their info. The WhitePages app does more than reverse lookup, but don't take my word for it. Check out the demo video below to see it in action. if(typeof AOLVP_cfg==='undefined')AOLVP_cfg=[];AOLVP_cfg.push({id:'AOLVP_1034513390001','codever':0.1, 'autoload':false, 'autoplay':false, 'playerid':'61371448001', 'videoid':'1034513390001', 'width':480, 'height':270, 'stillurl':'http://pdl.stream.aol.com/pdlext/aol/brightcove/studionow/p/96f369cb1e0a9/r/9f97f0a0ab0cd/al/193082/poster-10.jpg', 'playertype':'inline','videotitle':'TUAW - App Demo - WhitePages','videolink':'#'});
Video App Demo: BillMinder
BillMinder is a simple app for iOS devices that allows you to enter any number of recurring bills and remind you before they are do. Hence the name "BillMinder," obviously. I use BillMinder to alert me and will say that despite a few limitations it does a great job of reminding me of upcoming bills. You can see a full demo in the video below, but it's a fairly straightforward app. In BillMinder you set a recurring date, the amount of each bill and the interval you'd like to be reminded of said bills. I have mine set to one week before they are due. Yes, you could do this with a calendar app, but then you have bills littering your calendar and no real accounting of how much you've paid. if(typeof AOLVP_cfg==='undefined')AOLVP_cfg=[];AOLVP_cfg.push({id:'AOLVP_1034499896001','codever':0.1, 'autoload':false, 'autoplay':false, 'playerid':'61371448001', 'videoid':'1034499896001', 'width':480, 'height':270, 'stillurl':'http://pdl.stream.aol.com/pdlext/aol/brightcove/studionow/p/82b61f03f7a9e/r/29914b66f912e/al/193077/poster-10.jpg', 'playertype':'inline','videotitle':'TUAW - App Demo - BillMinder','videolink':'#'});
Video App Demo: Nexercise
Nexercise has the noble aim of getting you more active. To do that, it offers rewards. Not just leaderboards and social rewards, but actual rewards in the form of discounts and things like Amazon gift cards. Sounds cool, doesn't it? We met up with the high-energy and very pleasant CEO of Nexercise during WWDC to get a demo of the app and go through some of the features. Basically you activate the app on your iPhone when you do some physical activity, and the more active you are, the more points you accrue towards getting rewards. Check the video below for a full walkthrough. if(typeof AOLVP_cfg==='undefined')AOLVP_cfg=[];AOLVP_cfg.push({id:'AOLVP_1034500790001','codever':0.1, 'autoload':false, 'autoplay':false, 'playerid':'61371448001', 'videoid':'1034500790001', 'width':480, 'height':270, 'stillurl':'http://pdl.stream.aol.com/pdlext/aol/brightcove/studionow/p/e709a742e553e/r/1e395b4e96af6/al/193067/poster-10.jpg', 'playertype':'inline','videotitle':'TUAW - App Demo - Nexercise','videolink':'#'});
Video App Demo: QuakeInfo
If you live in an area where earthquakes happen, or if you just want to track earthquakes around the world, check out QuakeInfo from Atomic Powered. It's a simple thing, really, but a handy way to track earthquakes globally. QuakeInfo uses information from the U.S. Geological Survey to display quakes of magnitude 2.5 or greater within a week. Check out the video below to see QuakeInfo in action. There's a list view and map view, with the map view allowing you to look for geological trends. Handy if you're predicting the end of days! if(typeof AOLVP_cfg==='undefined')AOLVP_cfg=[];AOLVP_cfg.push({id:'AOLVP_1034484109001','codever':0.1, 'autoload':false, 'autoplay':false, 'playerid':'61371448001', 'videoid':'1034484109001', 'width':480, 'height':270, 'stillurl':'http://pdl.stream.aol.com/pdlext/aol/brightcove/studionow/p/f225fbb05fba2/r/8d4e9e87e5ecc/al/193064/poster-10.jpg', 'playertype':'inline','videotitle':'TUAW - App Demo - QuakeInfo','videolink':'#'});
Video App Demo: Music Marquee
Music Marquee is a well-designed and easy-to-use social app for you music lovers. Listening to a great song and want to share? Music Marquee allows you to post to Facebook, Twitter, Last.fm, Tumblr, FriendFeed and Ping.fm. Last.fm allows scrobbling, and wherever supported Tasty Cocoa software has used token-based authentication instead of storing your password in the app. It's a simple app, but only $.99. There's a free, lite version if you're too cheap to drop a dollar on such things. if(typeof AOLVP_cfg==='undefined')AOLVP_cfg=[];AOLVP_cfg.push({id:'AOLVP_1034131854001','codever':0.1, 'autoload':false, 'autoplay':false, 'playerid':'61371448001', 'videoid':'1034131854001', 'width':480, 'height':270, 'stillurl':'http://pdl.stream.aol.com/pdlext/aol/brightcove/studionow/p/26b0e067ab2f9/r/8dbed967675a4/al/191513/poster-10.jpg', 'playertype':'inline','videotitle':'App Demo - Music Marquee','videolink':'#'});
Video App Demo: Vidcinity
Vidcinity is an app addressing the niche market of local video discovery. The idea is that you'll upload videos for a location and others will come along and discover those videos. I'm not sure we're ready for this just yet, but it's an interesting idea. Check out the demo below. Of course, we'll have to see how many people use the service -- always the worry with any social app endeavor. if(typeof AOLVP_cfg==='undefined')AOLVP_cfg=[];AOLVP_cfg.push({id:'AOLVP_1012023761001','codever':0.1, 'autoload':false, 'autoplay':false, 'playerid':'61371448001', 'videoid':'1012023761001', 'width':480, 'height':270, 'stillurl':'http://pdl.stream.aol.com/pdlext/aol/brightcove/studionow/p/2d4c71926e041/r/aad2487aac9ba/al/191119/poster-10.jpg', 'playertype':'inline','videotitle':'TUAW - App Demo - Vidcinity','videolink':'#'});
Video App Demo: Mega Jump
Mega Jump is not an unfamiliar mechanic. Essentially you keep your little character jumping ever higher into the air -- a common theme for a certain streak of iOS games. However Mega Jump reminds me of classic Sega games, and for that reason I think it is a compelling (as in fun) game to check out. The video below does a great job of illustrating how fun Mega Jump is, so take a look. if(typeof AOLVP_cfg==='undefined')AOLVP_cfg=[];AOLVP_cfg.push({id:'AOLVP_1012022241001','codever':0.1, 'autoload':false, 'autoplay':false, 'playerid':'61371448001', 'videoid':'1012022241001', 'width':480, 'height':270, 'stillurl':'http://pdl.stream.aol.com/pdlext/aol/brightcove/studionow/p/970bbcad763b4/r/782c3130c0ac6/al/191118/poster-10.jpg', 'playertype':'inline','videotitle':'TUAW - App Demo - Mega Jump','videolink':'#'});
App demo: AudioBookShelf
if(typeof AOLVP_cfg==='undefined')AOLVP_cfg=[];AOLVP_cfg.push({id:'AOLVP_us_115539670001','codever':0.1,'autoload':false,'autoplay':false,'playerid':'61371447001','videoid':'115539670001','publisherid':1612833736,'playertype':'pageload','width':480,'height':270,'videotitle':'TUAW','bgcolor':''}); iBooks gives you a great way to organize ebooks and PDF's, but what about audiobooks? Unfortunately, iTunes still blobs everything together like a big ol' playlist in iTunes. AudioBookShelf is an app designed to make your audio book shelf more enticing. Unfortunately it won't play the audio books in iTunes, giving you instead 12 hand-picked audio books from a library of classics. Favorites like Treasure Island and Gulliver's Travels (one of my favorite books) are read with clear voices, as the developers looked to only include those with quality recordings. See the video for the app in question, or visit the App Store to see the official description and full list of books included in the price of $1.99. The app is universal, so one price puts it on the iPad and iPhone.
