Posts Tagged ‘social networking’

Zynga has created the first online multi-player poker app for the iPhone. Live Poker has social networking features and multi-player functions that will not only make it a hit, but one of a kind.

The app works off other social networking sites like Facebook, and actually allows information from your account to be shared with other users. Upon signing on, your Facebook profile picture will appear next to your name, and you will be immediately sat down and dealt into a live game.

The app has a network of more than 1.4 million people coming not only from Facebook, but also from MySpace, Bebo, Hi5 and Friendster. The app works off the 3G network or Wi-Fi, and if your signal gets lost, don’t worry, you will be dealt into the next round as soon as it’s recovered.

The interface looks great and has cute add on features that enhance your playing experience. For example, if you feel like saying “hi” to your table, go ahead. You can actually open up a chat window and exchange words with your opponents. If you feel like being sociable, for a few chips, buy someone at your table a virtual beer.

If you’re curious about who you’re playing with, just click on their picture and a brief description taken from their Facebook page will pop down. Within the network check if your friends are online… and challenge them to a hand.
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Brightkite 1.0.0 | Published by No Sleep Media LLC | Via App Store | Free | Released: 10-19-08

Overview

Brightkite is another entry into the magnanimous collection of lifestreaming tools and apps. It goes up against Twitter and even Facebook which significantly improved its status-streaming abilities this year. It may even knock off some lesser knowns like Plurk and Pownce.

Functionality

Brightkite combines the location services of apps like Whrrl and nrme with the microblogging features. With BK, you “check in” at a location by simply allowing your iPhone to place you. You can save placemarks for future use, and you can also view your friends’ activity streams.

In addition, you can view nearby folks, much like Twinkle’s nearby feature. Unfortunately, since Brightkite is still in Beta, you probably won’t see a lot of folks nearby. An invitation is relatively easy to score at this point. Simply email the good folks at Brightkite, and you should have a shiny invite waiting in your inbox quickly.
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BrightKite has released a preview of their iPhone app that closely resemble their popular web based social networking site. The features will be mainly the same on the remote version.

The app will allow you to find where your friends are hanging out, see if they’re nearby and even chat with them. Input your favorite locations and meet new people that like to hang in that area too. This app has some serious competition with others already on the market like Loopt, but BrightKite stands out from the crowd because it’s available worldwide, which isn’t the case with most other competitors. The base of 50,000 users through their main site also gives BrightKite an advantage.

The app will use GPS, databases and cross streets to give more than just basic coordinates. The video gives a good peak into what this app will be all about. The networking site is beta operated, which means you need an invite.

The much anticipated app has been delayed for a few month so creators could make sure it came out right, but soon enough it will be available at an App Store near you.

TheTumbler v0.9 | Published by Sahil Desai | Via App Store | Free | Released: 9-20-08

Tumble v1.1.1 | Published by BitFire Systems | Via App Store | Free | Released: 8-24-08

Tumblrette v1.0 | Published by Mobelux, LLC | Via App Store | $1.99 | Released: 9-02-08

Overview

I was amazed to discover not just one but three apps in the App Store that all hope to capture your loyalty by doing one thing well - helping you post to your Tumblr blog from your iPhone. One was an early addition to the App Store back in August while the others followed in September. Two are free, and one is $1.99. Which one does the best job?

Functionality

All three apps require you to of course connect the app with your Tumblr account by typing in your login email and password. Tumblrette goes the additional mile of “verifying” your account and giving you a green bullet next to your Tumblr URL when you’re finished with the process.
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Facebook v2.0 | Published by Facebook | Via App Store | Free | Released: 9-30-08

Overview

The orginal Facebook app (full review HERE) shot up to one of the top 5 most downloaded apps soon after the App Store went online this summer. Soon after its release, users began to complain of missing functionality - some of which could be found on the mobile site but not on the app itself. Facebook promised a new version of the app in September, and with 0 days to spare, 2.0 was released today (complete with new icon). It does not disappoint.

What’s New In This Version

The first thing you’ll notice is a much improved home screen. Now each status update has a green “+” symbol next to it that allows commenting - one of the most demanded feature requests that I personally had for this much-awaited update. Continue Reading

PhotoSwap v1.0 | Published by Padadaz | Via App Store | Free | Released: 8-19-08

Overview

I fully expect this review to get more traffic than my others. I have no idea why. I’m still seeing double…

Photoswap is an app that claims to allow two iPhone users to exchange a photo, a photo only viewable to one person. If you want to reply with a photo of your own, supposedly it gets sent only to the owner of the photo that you viewed.

Imagine my surprise when my first photo was the one below. 

Functionality

There is very little to do with Photoswap.

There’s a camera button for taking your picture, and there’s a reply button in which to send the picture via email to the user of the pic you viewed. You can also get more information about the photo by pressing the Info button or Report the photo by clicking on Report. Continue Reading

Graffitio v4.0 | Published by Green Bar Software | Via App Store | Free | Released: 8-29-08

Overview

Graffitio is another LBS app (location base services) that quickly pinpoints where you are and then seeks to connect you with other Graffitio users from your area, state and country. By allowing you to write on “walls” - which are simply message boards, you can leave your mark on that particular town or area of the country. I was surprised to see how many folks had already “graffitio’ed” on Arkansas even.

Functionality

When you first fire up your Graffitio app, it isn’t quite the same as shaking up your spray paint can in the dead of night, anxiously looking over your shoulder. You can’t even draw, for Pete’s sake. What you can do, however, is let others know that you’ve been here before. The way it does that is simple, clear, and you’ll find that you’re wanting to leave your mark everywhere… And without fear of defacing public property violations.

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