Tag: Communication »

Hopefully of particular interest to those with mobility issues is Jumvo, an app that offers a group messaging service that's entirely voice based.

Offering the advantages of SMS texting, Jumvo allows users to log into it through Facebook, thus having access to their entire friends list quickly. There's no need to remember usernames, handles or phone numbers as everything can be done via the Facebook friends list. Users can then send individual messages or start a group orientated conversation thread simply by talking. The app uses the iPhone's proximity sensor so that it automatically begins recording once the user holds their phone to their ear. Push alerts then inform the user when a reply is received. It's all extremely simple.

The main benefit is the lack of interaction required. For those suffering from the likes of Repetitive Strain Injury, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome or Arthritis, it's not always as easy to text as it once was, making Jumvo an ideal way of incorporating similar communication methods without the pain.

The app is out now and it's a free download.

It's an expensive business keeping in touch with friends via cell phones. Even with the advances of technology and the changes in price plans, it still costs a small fortune to call a friend in another country.

While some users might want to go the Skype route, others might fancy a change. That change is called Voypi.

It's an app that allows users to call or text other Voypi users anywhere in the world for free. There's not even the irritatation of ad banners getting in the way!

Voypi is always on so users are always connected to others just like a regular mobile phone network, but according to the developers the phone battery isn't affected negatively by this.

It also works with the phone's contact list making it easy to find friends without having to set up a separate account.

Voypi works over 3g and Wi-Fi and it's available now for the grand total of nothing. Why not give it a whirl?

Things are getting crazy and are just going to get much worse before Apple opens up a little. Apple, a traditionally very closed company, communication wise, should have learned a little something from the Mobile Me fiasco. It should realize that with it's increased reach comes increased need for open communication. People need to know that Apple isn't being evil. That's getting harder and harder to defend by Apple zealots.

The App Store has been a constant source for thoughts on this since well before it opened. The questions have always existed on how applications will get approved. And now, as applications continue to disappear from the App Store for unknown reasons, unknown even to the developers, it's looking more and more like Apple has, once again, not thought through the process. First it was Mobile Me, now it's the App Store that's giving Apple issue.

Apple needs to open up. They need to explain, at least to the developers, why an application is removed from the store. They need to do this immediately when the app is removed. They need to do this explicitly -- they just can't say terms of use violation. They need to provide specifics. They also need to provide a contact, a real human, that the developer can work with to resolve the problem.

Then, they need to explain to users who have bought an application when it gets removed. We, as users need to know if an application was removed for a security reason. We need to know if we need to remove the application because it will send out our address book over a non-secured connection.

Apple also needs to explain to developers who have applications still sitting in the approval queue why they haven't been approved. There are some developers whose applications have been in queue for over a month. No communication as to why.

Apple, it's time to open a dialog with your users. Not just once a year at WWDC - though that seems more one sided. This needs to be ongoing, open, approachable. If not, the massively positive user opinion will take a huge nose-dive and Apple will be thought of in the same terms as Microsoft.