Stanley Miller shares his thoughts on what he would consider to be the five killer (native) iPhone apps to be released in June when the iPhone 2.0 firmware is released with the App Store:
A voice-over Internet protocol program — VoIP for short — will be a killer application for the iPhone. Such software would allow iPhone owners to make calls over a WiFi Internet connection instead of eating up their cellular minutes. Apple has said it will allow VoIP software as long as it works only over WiFi and doesn’t use the iPhone’s cellular antenna — a policy to appease its wireless carriers.
A high-quality e-book reader, with adjustable text size among other customizable functions, and preferably seamless tie-ins to major online booksellers as well as unfettered access to free reading.
Tetris. Simple, satisfying and addictive. Tetris is easily one of the best mobile games of all time, it’s a hit on standard cell phone platforms, and a high-end model with beautiful graphics and lots of options belongs on the iPhone.
Trillian, a program for Windows PCs, lets users access all their instant messaging accounts on AIM, ICQ and Windows Messenger from a single interface and optionally logs all conversations. Cerulean Studios, the company that makes it, has a new version in the works called “Trillian Astra” that works on the iPhone through the Safari Web browser. The program is still in early testing, and it’s unclear how the new software development kit will affect Astra’s design.
A digital audio recording program. With a built-in mic, ample storage space and an external speaker for playing back sound, the iPhone would come in very handy for recording interviews. Lots of cell phones have built-in voice memo features, and the iPhone would easily outclass them all with more features and a superior interface for organizing and browsing recordings.
Skype on the iPhone would be great, especially while I’m at home. Playing Tetris with the 3-axis accelerometer would be awesome. I have plenty of recording gear, so I don’t have a need for an audio recording app (though I know plenty of podcasters who would love it).
The eBook reader? I don’t think it’s a good use for this device. Reading text on a backlit screen is nothing like reading on paper (or even an e-ink screen) and it would consume a lot of power to display the text for long periods. That said, make no mistake: Steve Jobs recent comment (”Nobody reads anymore.”) means that he has a team working on it.
I’ve always been ready for an iPhone, but the iPhone hasn’t been ready for me. With the addition of Exchange ActiveSync support and rumors of a 3G model in June/July, the phone will meet nearly all of my needs.
I got tired of troubleshooting Bluetooth dial-up-networking between my MacBook and my Treo 755p. I didn’t have time to go through my usual self-diagnosis and Verizon Wireless technical support for the Mac was typically clueless.
Enter the aptly-named USB Modem for Palm OS. It enables USB wireless modem connectivity between your Mac and the Treo 600, Treo 650, Treo 680, Treo 700p, Treo 755p and Centro smartphones.
Installation was painless and I was up and running in minutes.
BIG BONUS: both download and upload speeds are much faster using the USB cable than Bluetooth.
“Please try the demo before purchasing the software to see if it is compatible with your cellular operator environment.”
“Disclaimer. We will accept no responsibility for the use or misuse of our software, for any damage that may be caused by the software or the software possible lack of suitability. We are not responsible for any charges you may incur from your cellular provider as a result of using USB Modem.”
BrandBrains is the weblog of John Federico - a professional marketer and business developer with a technological bent and a potentially unhealthy obsession with gadgets.
