Australian Phone Report » Applications

Best Australian iPad apps

Kimble Young — Sat, 29 May 2010 06:47:38 +0000

Apple’s iPad was only released yesterday but has already attracted a lot of developer attention, especially from the traditional media. Questions aside of whether the device really has a place in our digital lives we preview and review some of the best of the here and now and reveal the future of Australian iPad apps.

As expected, one day after launch, the list is quite small but we hope to be able to bring you many more best of lists for the ipad in the coming weeks and months.

Borders e-Reader

The Borders e-Reader is available on a number of mobile and desktop platforms and now the iPad. Powered by Kobo the app is not technically Australian as Borders is a global company but there are many, many books by Australian authors available and a vast array of content from all over the world is available. If there was ever a killer app for the iPad it’s e-Books so well worth checking out.

Download the Borders e-Reader now from iTunes.

The Australian

The first of the big boys from the rag trade to launch an iPad app, News Limited paper released its iPad app at midnight on the 28th of May. Hours before the actual device went on sale in Australia. It looks like a newspaper and behaves as much as a newspaper can on an electronic device but just seems to lack any depth of content.

In just a few short hours since release it has been panned by users of the App store. A lack of content compared to even the web version of the paper seem to make this a less than compelling offering from News Ltd. At $4.99 a month we’ll just stick with the web version.

Australian Broadcasting Commission

Aunty have decided to build an iPad app that showcases the best ABC content from news stories to videos and the ability to live stream a number of ABC radio stations. The app feels very much like a web page. Which begs the question – if the iPad can show web pages in an experience that is very close to the desktop why do you really need an app for content that is highly consumable through the web already?

The ABC were working on an app to allow users to watch iView on their iPad but the app was written in Flash using Adobe’s CS5 which is able to compile for the iPhone. The only problem is that Apple have been trying to thwart Adobe at every step when it comes to Flash on their devices and the latest move has been to ban the use of third party compilers like CS5. So it looks like we may have to wait a while before seeing iView on the iPad.

Although ABC’s offering is not yet available for the iPad expect it to be on iTunes in the next couple of weeks.

SMH/The Age for the iPad

Fairfax’s papers and digital properties won’t shutup about the iPad. This is unsurprising as their very future is so uncertain with their print arm’s slow slide to death. However, can they deliver the goods when it comes to their saviour?

We’ll have to see. For all their talk they are yet to actually release an iPad app. The good news? They will be free – at least for a limited time.

National Australia Bank

The NAB have released the first Australian banking application for the iPad. Featuring internet banking, an ATM and branch locator feature and exchange rate calculator. This app seems to be more for show than providing specific functionality. It’s just not that compelling when compared to their website which works perfectly well on the iPad. Here’s hoping they add more features in the future.

Download it from the Apple iTunes app store

Summary

It’s still early days for the iPad in Australia and businesses like The Australian have done well just to release an app in time for launch. I’m sure everyone will have their eyes glued on the iPad to see whether it delivers both as a niche device and as a compelling experience. We know we will.

If you own a Nokia, Android or iPhone then you can also check out our other lists of best Australian apps:

Best Australian iPhone applications
Best Australian Android applications
Best Australian Nokia applications

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Follow the 2009 Ashes on your mobile phone

Kimble Young — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 03:02:57 +0000

Not that long ago the only way to keep up with the cricket on the go was to lug around a radio with you. Of course many phones now feature built in radios but if you want bite sized pieces of ashes news and scores then nothing beats an app. We’ll highlight the best on each of the major phone application stores:

Ashes Scores

Available through Nokia’s Ovi Store this little flash lite based app should work on any recent (last couple of years) Nokia phone and other phones that run flash lite. With the latest scores and running commentary this widget looks like a winner. There’s a more detailed review on NokiaApp.

Ashes 2009: Latest News

This app for the iphone and available on itunes for $1.19 AUD provides game highlights, news, team lineups and even allows you to pick your side. England or Australia. There’s some reviews saying that it hasn’t updated recently. We haven’t tested it so use it at your own risk.

More ways to follow the Ashes on your mobile

These were the only two apps we could find dedicated to the Ashes. However, that doesn’t mean you’re stuck if you don’t own a Nokia or an iPhone. Cric Info have a mobile widget which works on over 500 different phone models so you can try that. Widgets are often automatically labelled as lacking but this one has news, scores, photos and even podcasts built in so in some ways it’s better than the standalone apps mentioned above. Even if it’s not specifically for the ashes. The last option on offer is the mobile version of many of the big sporting sites. There’s a lot out there to choose from so we won’t mention any here.

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Best Australian iPhone applications

Kimble Young — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 06:33:04 +0000

There’s no doubting the iphone has been a huge hit in this country. With both users and developers. As such there are a whole pile of applications out there for the iphone that either have been written with Australians specifically in mind or include Australian content. Finding good apps on itunes can be a frustrating experience – with 65,000 and counting there’s a lot of garbage to wade through. So we’ve done the hard work has been done for you and present you with ten of the most useful applications for Australians. If you know of any more, and I’m sure there’s plenty, please leave a comment.

DrinkTracker

This application allows you to enter the number of drinks you’ve had, how long ago you’ve had them and even find a way home that doesn’t involve drinking. While it doesn’t have a specifically Australian use it was written by an Australian and we all know how much we love our drink. This one gets a big thumbs up for taking a simple concept and making a comprehensive app out of it.

DrinkTracker Homepage

Metro Sydney,Brisbane,Perth

Bus,train, tram and ferry timetables and maps. There are three apps available – one for each of the cities. At $3.99 each that’s quite a reasonable price to ask for an easy way to access public transport information . The Melbourne Metlink app also deserves a mention as it provides similar functionality for Melbourne’s public transport system.

Developer’s Homepage

SydTraffic / WATraffic

Traffic cameras, traffic cameras and more traffic cameras. If you’re like me watching the traffic cameras online can almost become an obsession once you get started. However, for others, it can also be a useful tool. Knowing which major roads to avoid can get you home a lot quicker. Worthy of a download.

Show the Loo

Not the most technically amazing app but very useful if you’re in need of a tinkle and can’t see a toilet. Shows you your location on a map and the location of nearby toilets. It’s really just a portable version of the Federal Government’s National Public Toilet Map.

Bloomberg

Not an Australian specific application but fantastic none the less. Although the iphone has a built in stock app it’s rather wanting. Bloomberg offers quick access to financial news and Australian stock prices. Invaluable for the day trader and road warrior.

Fuel Watcher

Warning: This one’s only for folks in WA. Not because the app is limited but because there is no national petrol price register.

Ever met one of those people that insist they can save money by driving around until they find the cheapest fuel? You always laughed at them didn’t you. Well now they can laugh back
because Fuel Watcher plots your position on a map and the position(s) of the closest petrol station including the name of the station and the current price of the fuel.

MobileNavigator Australia

Something the iphone was missing from the very start was turn-by-turn navigation. The Google maps is great to find your bearings when you’re lost but you’re a liability
to everyone on the road if you try and use it like a GPS. Not to mention it’s highly illegal. With the release of the 3GS Apple finally relented and allowed third party navigation software. For $70 (until Aug 15th)
it’s a bargain. As full featured as a proper GPS device you can’t leave home without it.

Well that’s it for this round. If you have any suggestions for another list of Australian iPhone apps either drop us a line or leave a comment.

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