360 degree tunnel scanner

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2367363/The-super-scanner-kill-queues-supermarket-spell-end-unexpected-items-bagging-area.html

The news "Exclusive: Walmart tests iPhone app checkout feature" reminded my demo app for one of the big DIY UK retailer

There was a big news this week in the retail world that Walmart testing iphone app checkout feature.

See the full details here.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/08/31/us-walmart-iphones-checkout-idUSBRE87U11R20120831

This definitely reminded me of the app I did as part of a new checkout scenarios demo for one of big DIY UK retailer.

The new checkout scenario for the retailer included two step process. 

1. An android app on customer smartphone - by using which customer will scan items as they shop and when they are finally done with the shopping they will just press the finish button on app. This will generate a transaction barcode on the smartphone screen.  
2. Self checkout paytower terminal - when customer is done with the shopping he will come to the paytower and scan the barcode. This will bring up the transaction and customer will pay for either by card, cash or any other methods on paytower.  

 Though this sounds like a good checkout solution for retailer in terms of customer queue at checkout, staff cost, customer service etc... but question is are all customers tech savy? even for the tech savy customers would they not struggle with the current barcode scanning technology of smartphones i.e. using camera images which is slow to decode the barcodes? and what about the petty issues like smartphone running out of battery, losing network connectivity, handling products with phone in one hand, putting items into the trolley etc... I think only time will tell.

Images of app to follow.

Second App - Password Locker

My second app was more of an internal requirement!! Yes was looking for some App where I could store my sensitive passwords securely. No better way than doing it myself and know how secure it is.

With so many websites, bank logins, pins and passwords, its hard to remember every one of them. So its easy if I can lock them up in one place securely with one master key.

The Password Locker App does this!! Its a secure App to store any type of passwords. Also the passwords can be categorised for easy look up. Its a safe, secure and easy way of managing loads of passwords.

The passwords are stored in AES 256 bit encryption with in the database and on exported files. This makes it tough for anybody to decrypt the passwords in case some one manages to get hold of your phone.

For more details please check the URL.

https://market.android.com/details?id=com.utech.PasswordLocker

First App - Don't forget

Here comes some details on my first App... Dont Forget!!

Its easy to create the app.. but I will tell you not so easy writing about it. That's why it took more than 8 months for me to put this. Anyway, finally here I am talking about it.

I just wanted to start with android app development and that's when this simple remainder app came to my mind.

Its a very simple Task Todo app to notify users about some event or task in the day just once. Yes, just update the app with memorable events, task to do, follow up etc... with a date and a frequency of the event.

The app would notify the user about the events or tasks that are meant to be carried out that day. The notification would pop up on a pre set time which can be amended. The app also has the shopping list reminder to go along with task todo.

For more details please check the link.

https://market.android.com/details?id=com.utech.TaskTodo

Can google's App Inventor be the next big thing?

Well only time will tell.. however in the battle of giants Google seems to be taking the next big step. Yes!! by setting the stage for the launch of its yet another web tool "App Inventor" Google wants to attract common public in to the world of apps development.

Google claim the "App Inventor" is a simple yet powerful tool which can use and manage databases, maps, web sites etcc. It also claim kids and students can develop their own apps.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ADwPLSFeY8

It's pretty clear that Google is trying to make the whole app development very open, when rivals like Apple are more protective about it.

In the world of open source and its battle with Apple, Google's step doesn't surprise many. When Apple is way ahead of others in the app segment, google had to come up with some thing drastic so there are loads of android apps and app users on the market. So easy thing to do is get more and more people to develop them, but what about the quality? Would the inventor apps come on a par with professional apps? Does it not clog the market with loads of junk?

Well!! google's mantra seems to be make it a fun experience for mobile users. I will tell you what.. in case kids, students and public enjoy the tool and enjoy the whole experience of creating simple apps then its a big win for android phones and android apps!!! more and more android phones/apps and that means bigger market share for Google. God only save the professional app developers then.

Can anyone beat the iPhone?

2, 3 and now 4!!!

Its getting richer and richer in terms of features, performance and style. Its keeping ahead of the race all the time. Yes I am talking about iPhone 4 which is finally out and available from 24th Jun 2010.

Apple started with 2G in 2007, pumped more and more features and finally arrived at iPhone 4 after 3G and 3GS.

Here are the top 8 features in the new iPhone 4.

#1: New Desgin - "Really thin": 9.3mm thick, 24% thinner than current iPhone. Thinnest smartphone on the planet.

#2: "Retina Display". Dramatically increase pixel density...4x in same amount of space. "Really really sharp text".

#3: Apple A4 chip inside. Designed by Apple's own team, "wonderful to have in an iPhone." Chip is incredibly Small.

#4: Gyroscope. 3-axis for pitch/roll/yaw. Add accelerometer and have 6-axis motion sensing. New CoreMotion APIs.Perfect for gaming.

#5: New camera system. More concerned with better pictures than megapixel stats. 5-mp rear camera with backside illuminated sensor.

#6: iPhone OS 4. Renaming it "iOS 4". Over 1500 new APIs, 100 new user features. Showing off multi-tasking.

#7: iBooks. We are bringing it to the Iphone/ipod with the iPhone 4.

#8: iAds. Why are we doing iAds? For one simple reason: to help our devs earn money so they can continue to create free and low-cost apps for users." As you know, we're trying to combine the emotion of video with the interactivity of the web. ... iAds keep you in your app."

Would this keep Apple ahead of other rivals by at least a year? Oh Yes.. from industry experts.

Getting started - My first blog

Finally!! Well.. that wasn't bad!! Spent couple of hours and here I am with my own and the first blog. I was thinking about this for so long and now wondering why didn't I pick this up long back. Anyway .. atleast have taken a first step here.

What made me to jump into this though? Have to admit, its my interest in apps forced me to have my own space!! yup google calls it "your website" please. We can't keep it blank unfortunately. I guess they are right asking for URL when you are trying to sell some apps to common public. How can you give a better service without a proper website? I have to admit and say NO.

Now what next? I dont know ;-) No jokes apart, will continue to improve upon this and keep writing on various things... yes already can think of various things. My first android app, upgrades, what's in the pipeline, android OS vs iphone OS, android device VS iphone... list will go on. Obviously I need to spend some time on all this, but some encouraging feedback for my first app would definitely help.