New iPhone apps add missing features
The iPhone 3G might be missing a few features out of the box but a handful of new downloadable applications – some of which are free – put the absent functionality back into the popular smartphone.
The iPhone 3G might be missing a few features out of the box but a handful of new downloadable applications – some of which are free – put the absent functionality back into the popular smartphone.
The other week we posted about the free Jott app, which lets iPhone users record voice memos – be it something like "don’t forget to pick up milk and eggs" or to record a million-dollar idea when there’s no pen and paper in sight – and it goes one step further by transcribing these voice memos into text for emailing or archiving.
Along with the lack of voice recording the iPhone is also missing voice-activated dialing – but two new programs try to solve that. One is called SpeechCloud, a free app that lets you press a button and say a person’s name in your contact list in order to call it. The dozen or so user reviews at the App Store aren’t too favourable, however, but hey, it’s free, so you have nothing to lose.
Alternatively, Makayama’s Voice Dial for iPhone costs $25, but its speech recognition algorithm yields impressive results and works with all languages since the user must record the name of the person for each contact in the address book.
On the horizon is software that allows iPhone users to copy and paste text from one application to another – another missing feature from the iPhone 3G.
Called MagicPad, this application lets you use your fingertip to drag strings of text to highlight it, and then tap to copy and paste it into a small toolbar over the iPhone’s virtual keyboard. Then it can be copied into the Notes section, an email or another program.
Allegedly the app has been submitted to Apple for its rigid approval process.
So, what other missing iPhone features would you like to see developed by a third-party, if possible?:
* MMS support
* Video recording
* horizontal typing for email
* audible turn-by-turn GPS directions
* access iTunes store over 3G (instead of Wi-Fi)
Or feel free to write in with another missing feature…
Filed Under: Handhelds
i think that is a great idea, though i don't have one. so is there any more apps youre going to add?
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The iPhone apps tend to range between the useful or practical — such as one that turns your screen into a flashlight should you need to peek into a dark corner and have nothing else — to notepads, to….
More Cowbell applications that let you tap along or shake your iphone "cowbell" to add that special something to any music you listen to.
Yes, I did a doubletake, too. (I am not 100% innocent, however, I am guilty of downloading the lightsaber app to my phone to have duels with my friends with our phones. >.> )
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