30.06 Lookup iPhone Application - Testers Needed

[sintax]

Hello everyone -

If you are reading this, I'm sure you are familiar with the extremely helpful texas3006.com web site. I decided last week to build a kind of companion web application for Apple iPhone users - which is now ready for beta testing.

Unlike texas3006.com, I wanted to list places which were "CHL Friendly", in addition to 30.06 and 51% establishments. A lot of the time I don't know if a place is posted and when I check online, it isn't listed - does that mean it is OK to carry there or just that no one has taken the time to log it? I'm hoping that having the ability to post "friendly" places will alleviate this issue.

So if you have an iPhone and would like to *actively* use it during this beta phase (I'm say actively because I am looking for feedback and suggestions), please contact me via Email or PM and I will send you the URL.

And yes, this is a free service (of course).

Here are some screenshots from this beta build...





Cheers,
Abraham

[function12]

Awesome!! I wish that would work with my Blackberry!!

[HighVelocity]

Whoa! That is very cool. Makes me want an iphone.

[thankGod]

sintax, way cool idea!

I'm waiting for the iphone 2 to come out later this month, then I will be happy to help if ya still need it.

[BigDan]

If you will open up the source code, I may be able to whip something up for Smartphone users. =-]

I'm a Software Developer and I've messed around with the Development Kit for Smartphones before while trying to make my own SMS application. The internal logic will be the same, only the interface would be different. Let me know if you're interested.

Thanks!

[agbullet2k1]

Unfortunately, I don't have enough money for an iPhone and the new Sig I've been eyeing, but if by chance I hit the lotto, personally I'd like to see some sort of picture database as well, where disputed signs can be discussed and/or judged for legality.

[BigDan]

Just emailed you.

I know I'll be able to do this for Smartphones. I'll make two different interfaces for the 320x240 and 240x320 screens.

As for touchscreen, I don't have enough information at this time to determine if I'll be able to do this. Plus, I have no touchscreen device to test it on. Once I start working on the SP version, I may come across some information to let me know.

Also, if there are any other Software Developer types who want to DO the touchscreen version, let me know. I'll make it modular so all you need to do is the interface part. That way, we can get this out to everyone faster. =-]

[sintax]

Well I do have the SDK from Apple for the upcoming (actual(non-web-based)) applications, but I think I am going to stick to web based for now. I could very easily remove the iphone redirect so any web browser could access the site in the future. Plus this will also keep those iPod Touch users, and users of whatever other kind of future Apple products with integrated web browsers connected as well.

[BigDan]

AHH! I didn't realize it was a web-based application. I thought this was a phone application used to poll the database via the internet.

This may just be more simple then. If it is mobile-friendly, any device should be able to use it (I think).

Do you have the ability to upload a phone camera picture of the establishment when they add a new location? Associating each location with a picture of it may be a nice feature. (just brainstorming)

[sintax]

AHH! I didn't realize it was a web-based application. I thought this was a phone application used to poll the database via the internet.

This may just be more simple then. If it is mobile-friendly, any device should be able to use it (I think).

Yeah, I just wanted to throw that out there before you started writing an actual app. Up until yesterday, anyone could pull this thing up in FireFox or Safari right from their desktop or portable computer (and that is how I am currently working on it). That is the beauty of the iPhones web browser and WebKit.

Do you have the ability to upload a phone camera picture of the establishment when they add a new location? Associating each location with a picture of it may be a nice feature. (just brainstorming)

Well if I went with an actual application, Yes. It is also possible the way I have set up where a user could take a photo and email it to a specific email address which the server would process... etc. Of course this could also be a a lot simpler by having an upload field in the "add entry" screen , but at the current time, the iPhone can't be used to store and retrieve files in that manner. Hopefully next week will bring many changes to the new iPhone and it's software.

But I think the real beauty of this application is its simplicity. Adding a new business to the database using the iPhone takes less than a minute, even on Edge (quicker on WiFi) and there is a minimal amount of required information and typing that has to be done. I was kind of hoping that it's ease of use would give it a more active community.

[BigDan]

Yeah, I can see that. IPhones really are great for things like this. Easy in, easy out. If people were really good about using it every place they went on a daily basis, that database would fill up quickly!

I obviously haven't used it, but do you have a way to do a search when they arrive at a location, then if there is no information to auto-fill the submitted information to cut down on submission time?

If, for example I put in "HEB Plus, Round Rock, TX" into the search field. Is there a way to (assuming there's no data) automatically fill out the submission form? That way, all a user would need is to add the specific address and if it's friendly or not. Just curious. =-]

[sintax]

Yeah, I can see that. IPhones really are great for things like this. Easy in, easy out. If people were really good about using it every place they went on a daily basis, that database would fill up quickly!

I obviously haven't used it, but do you have a way to do a search when they arrive at a location, then if there is no information to auto-fill the submitted information to cut down on submission time?

If, for example I put in "HEB Plus, Round Rock, TX" into the search field. Is there a way to (assuming there's no data) automatically fill out the submission form? That way, all a user would need is to add the specific address and if it's friendly or not. Just curious. =-]

I thought (and planned about) doing a "location not found. would you like to add it?" type of deal and then have the form populate automagically. I'm sure if can be done in some form or another. It's a great idea and should be in there for sure!

[Mike1951]

And from those of us who have no idea what any of you are talking about.......

It sounds like a great idea!