Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with app

How to send phone pics to a spartan web site via Flickr?

ehamiter — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 12:16:59 -0800

What's a minimal self-hosted "blog" that hooks into Flickr's API so I can send photos from my camera directly to my web site? Ideally, I want a blog that is not a blog. I don't want tags, or articles, or categories, or spam filters, or any of that stuff. A perfect solution workflow would be this:

I take a picture with my phone
I send it to Flickr via e-mail
Flickr then posts it to my website with no interaction

The ideal layout would be a main site title, and each time I send a photo it appears as the newest one, using the title I typed. There would be maybe 10 photos on the main page. You could access earlier photos by clicking "older" or something like that which would serve as the archives.

I can do this with wordpress, movable type, typepad, etc., but they are all way too huge feature-wise and not what I want. I can also do this with blogger or tumblr, but they are not self-hosted. I tried this recently with textpattern, but the templates and general admin are much too complicated for my needs.

It should be very simple, aesthetics-wise. You could maybe change the color scheme / typography via CSS, but that's about it.

Does something like this exist? For the Flickr hook-in it needs to be a MetaWeblogAPI Enabled Blog or other Flickr-approved application.

Thanks for any suggestions.

Bitte helf mir!

miss lynnster — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 06:41:27 -0800

I'm on my way to Austria for a few weeks. Looking for a handy German language app for my Blackberry Tour to help me as I struggle to remember the language. Is there one? While we're here, any other good world travel apps you recommend? I'll be in Paris for two days, then Vienna and points beyond.

I'm new to this Blackberry thang really, so I'm not familiar with many of the apps yet... please hook me up, you young hipster people.

Thanks! :D

Multiplayer iPhone games?

Tu13es — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 05:13:44 -0800

What are some multiplayer iPhone games that don't require players to be actively using their phone to play? I just discovered Words With Friends (and Chess With Friends) and love it because I don't need to be actively using my phone at all times to play it. If you haven't played them, they're basically Scrabble (or Chess) games where you open the app, play your move, then wait until your opponent makes their move. Perfect for when I'm at work and can only use my phone occasionally.

Games that are only multiplayer over wifi or bluetooth are out. Bonus points for games that are free, but I'd consider paid ones as well. Bonus points for apps with Push notifications when it's your turn too.

Any good media cataloging apps for the iPhone?

quixxotic — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 06:23:57 -0800

Yesterday I accidentally bought the same season of a show on DVD that I already owned, because I forgot I'd already owned it. Faulty memory aside, it made me wish I had a mobile-accessible library of things like that I own. What options do I have? iPhone-specific for me, but other suggestions for the benefit of the hive are welcome. Bit more inside. I have an iPhone, but not a Mac. I figure there must be an app out there that will allow for barcode scanning of things like books, DVDs, and video games, and cataloged it for mobile access. Heck, if it went further for more consumer-grade products, it'd be nice. I know of Delicious Library and its iPhone app, but since I don't have a Mac, it's not a route for me. Any suggestions?

Unix web apps

yegga — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 16:49:38 -0800

A two parter: 1. I remember reading a quote by someone along the lines of 'every new 'killer web app' is a unix app. google=grep; facebook=wall; etc. Can you help me find this please? 2. Now that you grok the idea, can you tell me more analogs of unix vs web apps? Which unix apps are yet to be made webby? Which have been, but badly implemented? Which are your favorite unix apps? Etc.

Where to get guitar tab files for iphone app?

metajc — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 19:12:10 -0800

Where can I find .gp4, .gp5, or .ptb tab files (preferably free) ... because they work with this awesome guitar iphone app thing I just impulse-bought! Although, if there is an amazing outlet, I'd pay a membership. Don't want to buy them piecemeal though. So, there's this iphone app that downloads ".gp4, .gp5, or .ptb tab files" (which I'd never heard of before today) and then runs them through this awesome little visual and audio synth player so you can watch (and hear!) the fingering fly by.

The app comes with a few default songs/tab files but also hints that you can find these files somewhere online and provides an interface for downloading them from Google. Unfortunately, my Google-fu fails at finding any new files and the support chap at the app's maker said he was ethically bound against pointing me in any one direction or something -- though he did learn me the names of the filetypes, above. If you've ever looked for lyrics and guitar tabs online, you know it's one of the spammiest hell holes next to the second-hand beanie baby market / pr0n portals.

I'm really just looking for some Kinks, Bowie for now ... if they happen to have Duane Denison's secrets out there, Skip James, bring it! I'd love to see this thing crank through some Robert Johnson or John Fahey or something.

The Elusive Quick and Dirty iPhone App

The Winsome Parker Lewis — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 16:05:05 -0800

What is the most painless route to developing and selling an iPhone app? I'm interested in building a game similar to the ones made by Storm8. As far as I can tell, those games are just web apps -- HTML, JavaScript, and some server-side scripting. The apps used to access them are just simple skinned browsers with some hooks for device ID authentication. Since almost all of the game is managed server-side, Storm8 can push updates to all players instantly without requiring them to download a software update.

I know HTML, JavaScript, and PHP. I have a killer game idea that seems to fit into that model and I don't see why I couldn't make it happen with my current skill set. So, where do I go from here? How do I painlessly build a client app to connect to my web interface, and get it in the App Store? I don't want to touch Xcode or Objective-C if I can avoid them. I'm willing to outsource development of that part if the price is right (meaning: extremely, ridiculously low).

How can I avoid the nightmare of complicated legal gymnastics I've heard some devs go through? Where can I find the official list of guidelines Apple supposedly follows when deciding to accept or reject apps? I should probably make sure my idea complies before I start coding. What else do I need to know before I enter the strange, intimidating land of iPhone development?

Help me keep track of iPhone app price changes.

ellighi — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 06:57:18 -0800

I'd like to keep track of iPhone/iPod app prices. Are there any websites that display price info, such as whether an app has gone up or down in price?

What are the most useful iPhone apps for a newly qualified doctor?

ianK — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 05:49:50 -0800

What are the most useful iPhone apps for a newly qualified doctor? I will be starting my housemanship/internship next week and would like to have some easy to reach reference material to carry around on ward rounds, on calls etc.
I would also appreciate non-medically related app suggestions that people find useful for work.
Thanks in advance!

What's in a name?

popcassady — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 13:11:52 -0800

Sole traders in the UK + iPhone developer program. How did you register using your business name rather than your own? I've tried to register with the program using option 2:

This program is for a developer or development team who will be creating free and commercial applications for iPhone and iPod touch.

Enroll as a company if you intend to distribute applications under your company name.

The problem is, Apple will only recognise my business if I have a certificate of incorporation. That is, if I run a limited liability company. I've explained to them that I am a sole trader, trading under a business name and that a certificate of incorporation is not applicable to me. I've sent many emails but I keep getting the same, standard, replies. Repeatedly, they tell me that if I have no certificate of incorporation I should sign up under option 1:

This program is for an individual developer who will be creating free and commercial applications for iPhone and iPod touch.

Enroll as an individual if you intend to distribute applications under your name.

This option does not allow me to use my business name whereas option 2 does. I am a developer who intends to distribute applications under my company name. Option 2 applies to me. Option 1 does not. I have a business name and I wish to use it.

There must be many sole traders using their business names in the app store. If you're out there, how did you do it?

How can I download a free US-only iPhone app from the UK

skylar — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 09:32:54 -0800

I'm in the UK and want to download a free app that is only available through the US iTunes/App Store. I have memberships of both the UK and US iTunes stores, but unfortunately the credit card on my US account has expired. When it comes to the point at which I download the app (on either the computer or the phone) it asks for an updated credit card. If I could convince someone to "lend" me their iTunes login details for a short while, even if there was no money on their card, would this work? Anyone tried this or willing to help?

Severe mac/python question

emptyinside — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 20:34:02 -0800

So I was fiddling with commands in the python interpreter via the Terminal. I ran this basically, and was messing with the help system. fileHandle = open ( 'test.txt', 'w' ) ; fileHandle.write (' asdasd^3 '); fileHandle.close(); And all of a sudden this application opened. Python shell is it's name, it has no icon. WTF is going on?

iPhone App Creation Companies

nam3d — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 16:30:15 -0800

I have a Flash game that I'd like to port over to the iPhone but I don't have the time nor the patience to do it myself. Are their any companies out there that will develop the application for you, for a price?

The App that Doesn't Seem to Exist

thisperon — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 14:09:37 -0800

Looking for a iphone/ipod touch calendar/todo app with specific requirements. Does it exist? Argh. Frustration with ical and how it currently works on the ipod touch. I am looking for an app that will:

1) sync wirelessly with both google calendar AND google tasks

or

2) sync wirelessly with ical AND ical tasks

Why oh why isn't there an app that does this? The best thing I've found is Calengoo, but I still can't get my Google tasks incorporated.

The app needs to be able to work offline (allow me to enter events and tasks or edit them), and sync when I am online again.

Anybody know of a solution? (And I don't want to use Mobile Me.)

Thanks.

You've GOT the see this movie!

grumblebee — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 09:05:06 -0800

Is there an web app via which people can recommend things (movies, music, books, etc.) to me? I feel a bit stupid asking this, because something this obvious must exist, and I should know about it. But I don't.

What I want is this:

A friend of mine goes to (say) recommend.to/grumblebee. He fills out a simple form indicating that he thinks I'd like a book called "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald. If he wants, he can write why thinks I'd like it, and he can (optionally) post a link to the book on Amazon.

I can check the page for recommendations, or I can opt to get an email whenever anyone recommends things to me.

IMPORTANT: I would like a low-bar-of-entry. I don't want friends of mine to have to sign up. They just go to the page, fill out the form, press POST, and they're done.

Also, I don't want this to be part of a social-networking site. Not everyone is on Facebook (really!).

I want this, because lovely people are always recommending things to me. They make these recommendations through a bewildering number of channels: email, Facebook, Twitter, IM... Inevitably, I lose track of them and can't find them when I need them.

I'd like to "train" my friends to shoot stuff to recommend.to/grumblebee. If it's something they have to join, many of them will not do it. But if it's a simple form, it shouldn't be a problem.

Basically, it would be like a delicious page for me -- but one created by friends of mine.

iPhone app limitation by Apple?

DandyRandy — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 11:25:31 -0800

I'm wondering if there are Apple-imposed limitations that would prevent this no-brainer iPhone app from being created. I'd love to be able to go to one place on my iPhone to turn off/on all the power-sucking tidbits: WiFi, Bluetooth, 3G, etc. As it is now, you have to drill down through all parts of the interface to access that stuff. Does Apple allow an app to access the WiFi on/off function, for instance? I'm no programmer, so if anyone wants to take this and run with it and make a buck or two, have at it - just let me know when it's ready.

And I'm not interested in jailbreaking my communicator.

yet another iPhone question

metacort — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 15:13:54 -0800

Is there an iPhone app that has the sole purpose of opening up a webpage of your choosing. I know I could simply bookmark the website, however it's a webpage I check all the time and would save me a step or two. I think such an app would be very useful.

Riddle me this...

miss lynnster — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 21:58:28 -0800

Creating custom quizzes, polls and surveys for a blog... your experiences? I want to start putting more fun, interactive, and educational features on HiddenLA.com. I just tried putting a poll on there using the WP-polls plugin but I'm not sure I'm digging it so far. Is there a better application or plug-in that you use?

I would also like to do some really interesting quizzes, but so far I haven't found an application that is really great with customizing details. I started a few but was disappointed with the how results looked and never finished them.

I'd love to hear any suggestions you have. Thanks! :)

How do I protect my iPhone app idea

Thrillhouse — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 05:42:35 -0800

How do I go about protecting my idea when I approach a developer about coding an iPhone app? I'm sure finding a developer would be easy. My concern is that once I start diCussing my idea that they will claim it as their own and cut me out. What's the simplest way to protect myself?

Fast functional iPhone Spreadsheet App?

DavidJ710 — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 13:08:34 -0800

Fast functional iPhone Spreadsheet App? I'm looking for the best way to manage the conditioning progress of my volleyball players. Things like Google Docs, EditGrid, and Documents 2 are all too slow and clunky to be effective at practice. I need to be able to quickly add columns, and being able to lock first column (Player Names) so that I can see whose information I'm plugging in would be a huge plus. I've Googled, Yahooed, and AppStored. All of the free and web-based offerings are either too slow, or they don't allow simple features such as creating new column labels. In a best case scenario, I could export data (csv, or xls) to print for the girls, but this really is not necessary. I just don't want to deal with notebooks, and transferring data for 30 girls and 20 exercises four days a week. Thanks in advance.

iPhone app syncing woes

MysticMCJ — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 18:46:43 -0800

I just sold out and got an iPhone 3gs. After some amount of pain and a few virtual images and iTunes installs, I finally got all of my contacts synced over, and I have discovered that I can't sync from multiple PVs like I used to. Not a problem- except for apps. The problem I have is that I installed all of my apps OTA, and the first time I synced after that, it was to my work PC. Most of my media is on my home PC, so I would like to make that "master" for syncing. But when I check "sync apps" it warns me that all apps on my iPhone will be replaced with those on my iTunes library- which is blank. I know that I have all of my apps and data backed up on my work PC- how can I switch this to my home PC? My big fear is losing all of my app data. Both are running winXP.

How to record live music on my iphone 3GS?

skechada — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 13:19:23 -0800

What's the best hardware and app to use to record live (loud) music on my iphone 3GS? I play in a band a like to record our practices and live shows. I currently use a Boss Micro-BR, and while that's acceptable, I'd like to use my iphone if possible.

Ideally, I'd like to use a separate mic with an app like Fourtrack to do this. I specifically need a mic sensitivity adjustment, as anything we've tried to record so far has been WAY too loud and washed out in noise. Multitrack recording isn't necessary so if there's a single track recording app with mic sensitivity controls, that works too.

I've done some research in the app store and ask mefi, but it's far from clear what hardware/app combo would even work, let alone be ideal. Any pointers in the right direction are appreciated!

Confessions of an Apple iPhone app store reviewer

xotis — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 15:20:38 -0800

Apple App Store Filter: A few weeks ago I stumbled upon an obscure blog that appeared to be written by an anonymous Apple App Store reviewer. I think it was linked to via Gizmodo or Engadget 2-3 weeks ago. Now I can't find it. It had a black background. The author was listing their expectations for the rumored new iPhone to be unveiled at the then upcoming WWDC keynote that was a few weeks ago.

They also were posting their snarky reasons for turning down apps in the Apple app store. One of the reasons was because an app author had used an image that looked like an iPhone in their app. They also spoke about how their job gave them a sense of anonymous power over others.

Searching on Gizmodo, Engadget, and Google all failed me... can you help?

Beautiful, simple iPhone games

fiercecupcake — Mon, 04 May 2009 10:48:29 -0800

I love Ferry Halim's Orisinal games. What are some games for the iPhone with a similar beautiful aesthetic and simple gameplay? Bonus points, as always, for free or cheap.

No whammies, no whammies

Blazecock Pileon — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 21:01:16 -0800

As has been done with previous similar contests, has anyone posted a regression that estimates when Apple will hit the 1B mark on their recent app download contest? (I'm not talking about when Apple's web JS counter is programmed to flip early tomorrow morning.)