some interesting iphone developements

[Turtlesboat]

 

[barryg]

what sofware is used for that? Is that part of the new enterprise beta program or developers SDK program due out in June?? I've been waiting for the 2nd generation of the iphone to come out (also in June or July) that will have the faster 3G as well as all these new developer programs you can use.

Barry

 

[Turtlesboat]

this is new software being developed as part of the SDK called iNavX which will hopefully come out around June. there are also a few GPS modules that will plug into the iphone too.

 

[barryg]

very cool...can't wait!!

 

[fc3]

• "iNavX" development is well underway. iNavX will work stand alone using the iPhone's built in positional capabilities or using MacENC NMEA via TCP/IP. Since iPhones don't have any removable media, charts will come from Chart Servers such as NOAA's. iNavX will be available at Apple's iPhone application store which will be directly accessed on the iPhone. More details as the come available.

• It should be noted iNavX will run on an iPod Touch just as an iPhone. So for those who do not need the cell phone capability save some $$$ and get an iPod Touch.

It should be noted that the iPhone has no integrated GPS, and no local connectivity that is supported by the SDK such as serial, USB, or Bluetooth. Wifi for GPS data? This is the same company that makes Mac ENC, which is an unimpressive piece of navigational software.

Best regards,
Frank

 

[Turtlesboat]

I believe there will be GPS connectivity. there are a handful of companies already developing it. While there is no internal capability on the current iphones, I've seen gps modules that plug into the connector.

Macenc is pretty junky but I think it would be great to have this as a backup to my gps. It would also be pretty easy to incorporate tides, doppler, wind speed/direction into an app also. kind of like a poor man's Gary setup, as long as you had a cell signal that is.

 

[Morpheus]

That is pretty cool, I saw also the iPhone and iTouch now have Free Voip software as well.

 

[wkearney99]

Trouble is AT&T's coverage on the water, at least on the Chesapeake, is not very good at all. I had one of their data cards, as well as an integrated one in a sony, and both failed to get signals in QUITE a few places. Near the cities (such as they are on the Bay) it was barely a bar or two, almost non-existent most of the time on the water. That's why I got a Verizon card and phone. Both have had total coverage everywhere the AT&T gear did not.

Then couple it with the iPhone's lack of local storage for user data, to say nothing of no on-board GPS. Frankly, nearly ever other vendor's phone does a much better job of custom applications. Much like the Newton, I'd venture the iPhone might have critical raves, but fail to gain much market. Apple's known for snatching defeat from the jaws of victory and screwing the customers in the process. No thanks, not again.

 

[Turtlesboat]

huh? You talk like a critic that never saw the movie. But thanks for sharing your opinion on the newton.

 

[wkearney99]

Errrr, no, just someone that's had actual experience trying to use AT&T data services on the water. And since Apple's schemed an exclusive with AT&T anyone wanting to use one on the Bay is going to find a pretty disappointing experience. Slow is bad enough, but no coverage doesn't help no matter how "insanely great" the fanboys want to think it is. I spent two weeks with one, complete with the jailbreak' nonsense, and it really didn't impress as anything more than a basic phone with an animated UI. No local storage, no decent integration with desktop and a policy to deliberately break development attempts. NO thank you.

Having done development work with and for Apple and having seen their failed disasters with trying to control the market (aka eWorld) by requiring forced delivery of apps only through Apple, it's a failure they're quite likely to repeat.

But hey, if it kicks other vendors into gear improving their phones then great, everyone will benefit from better phones and services. Personally I'm waiting for the google attempt to kick it into HIGH gear.

 

[Turtlesboat]

you don't have any idea what you're talking about, it's ok to not post your uninformed opinion in every thread. Sit back, read a little.

 

[mooney]

sorry went w/verizon too....att.just didnt cut it....could barely or never get a signal on the water

 

[Turtlesboat]

I'm sure the wifi and navigation maps works great on your phone too.

 

[Morpheus]

I originally had Sprint and hated it the service sucked then went to nextel loved it till sprint bought them and then it sucked, finally bit the bullet and changed to verizon. I have to save Verizon's coverage is awsome atleast for me the data network works great and the VZ Navigation stuff that gives you turn by turn voice directions while driving is awsome we have used it alot when traveling and it's always been 100% accurate.

 

[MXer478]

I had Cingular, then they were bought out by AT&T, I HATED AT&T!!!!

But, I had a contract with them. So I bit the bullet and bought the iPhone. All my troubles are gone! I had the Blackjack, which SUCKED! I never had service, etc.....I have no problem with service with my iPhone. It's always good....on the lake, the bay, etc. I dont know if it has more power or what but I recommend it to everyone!

I have never liked any of my phones until now. If you're looking, buy one. It's worth every penny.

 

[Four Suns]

...no matter how "insanely great" the fanboys want to think it is. I spent two weeks with one, complete with the jailbreak' nonsense, and it really didn't impress as anything more than a basic phone with an animated UI. No local storage, no decent integration with desktop and a policy to deliberately break development attempts.

Wow... I do know the mobile space well and those comments are just not true... where the heck is that garbage coming from?

The iPhone actually has a very good memory capability and one of the best built in/on device databases on the market. If you look at other smartphone type of products from PalmOS, BlackBerry, or Symbian, Apple is way ahead in terms of their SQL support... All that aside, this looks like a post from someone who read something on some Apple bashing Internet site. If you want to really know about the Apple iPhone and their SDK, go to http://www.apple.com and watch the video about the iPhone SDK and all it's capabilities... it's on their front page (March 6th event). Everything from application creation to distribution puts the industry on its head... It also doesn't hurt that Kleiner Perkins is putting a small Venture Capital fund together focused soley on iPhone apps.. Apple's penetration in the smartphone market is nothing short of astonishing. Maybe Kleiner and the user base haven't listened to Mr. Kearney either...

On the original post, when I first saw the iPhone SDK being talked about, I wondered how long it would be before someone came out with good "boating software". Given the storage capabilities of the devices, a lot of charts and weather overlays can be stored on the device. Obviously they will have to offer location data other than the Location Based Services provided by cell towers and known wifi hotspots but I think that will come in time. I just hope someone other than the makers of MacENC step up to the plate... anyone know the guys at Rosepoint Navigation?

I have an iTouch and not an iPhone because AT&T coverage is lacking in the mid-atlantic. However, when they come out with a CDMA capable iPhone, I'm sure Verizon will jump on the bandwagon... and my BlackBerry will go bye-bye.

Mr Kearney, the nice things about Internet boards like this is that people that "pretend" to be experts are quickly revealed. Good job... Do you even own a boat?

 

[fc3]

I had verizon. It was ok. The phone worked everywhere, but I needed a farging plan for everything. A plan for the phone, another plan for the Palm, which didn't work right either, and yet another plan for the laptop. Freeking bluetooth was locked down on the phone, so you couldn't use it worth a damn for anything other than a head set. Switched to AT&T, which is not locked down, uses the more open GSM system instead of lawsuit happy Qualcomm's proprietary protocols. Less complicated is better. Less expensive service that works well doesn't hurt either. Verizon is great if you have simple demands or don't mind throwing money away. I can burn gas in the boat when I want to waste money. At least that's fun.

Best regards,
Frank C.

 

[Turtlesboat]

I had the VZ navigation and it worked pretty good but would much rather have the google maps with sat, road, hybrid view, not to mention the google search feature and traffic built in. I also heard of nautical overlay google maps for the iphone being around but it looks like that was pulled from public view.

I'm very much looking forward to all the 3rd party software that is going to come out in a few months. I use the other features of the iphone much more than the phone part.

 

[Four Suns]

I wonder if Tiara is coming out with a phone....

 

[wkearney99]

you don't have any idea what you're talking about, it's ok to not post your uninformed opinion in every thread. Sit back, read a little.

OK, tell me what I got wrong. Coverage? I tested the AT&T signal on the water and in various anchorages around the Bay. Well, from the Choptank and points north. It stank.

The iPhone stuff, well, that's perhaps way off topic for this forum. But having actually done software development for portable devices I'm quite familiar with what is and isn't possible or worthwhile about most of them. And your experience is, what?

Hey, if I'm wrong, I'd be glad to have someone enlighten me. But just because I'm no fanboy of your beloved toy doesn't make me wrong, nor you right.