Cyclopedia is an iPhone app that uses iPhone’s inbuilt compass and GPS along with the information on Wikipedia to create an augmented reality effect for its users.

Just point the camera at the object which exists on Wikipedia and get the information instantly. Really, it’s that simple.

The application has an easy to use and stylish UI which will surely impress its users. The moment I got the app on the phone I hit the road to test it out.

It’s an excellent way of exploring the city if you are a traveller and even if you aren’t one, get this app guys, knowing your city a little better won’t hurt you in anyway.

I drove down to the nearest location on the map and pointed the camera at it to get the information from Wikipedia.

The location you see in the picture is Superdawg, known for its old style of making hot-dogs.

Sometimes just pointing the camera at an object does not get you the results as the information-pointers on the top of the application remain outside the viewfinder area. This can be easily be fixed by adjusting the viewfinder area.

Another important configuration to get the best results from this app is in the radar feature where you can set the number of miles to filter the information that’s around you.

If you are a traveller you might want to start your day by scanning 10-12 miles and once you have all the connecting points and a planned route then reducing the radius to just about a mile will give you the chance to see the place much closer.

Guys at Chemical Wedding got the first version just right. However, quite a few things should be added to this application to keep the interest going for this app.

Here are few of the things that should be added to make the application better..

1. Wikipedia integration should be much better. I say this because before stopping by at Superdawg to test the app I stopped by at Leaning Tower of Niles. Surprisingly Cyclopedia did not recognize the location, I checked Wikipedia for information on the Tower and it exists.
2. I am not sure how this app uses the information from Wikipedia but the information should be first processed which will help the Cyclopedia team to introduce filters like Citys, Restaurants, Museums, etc.. because when I am going around the city I might want to see what famous restaurants are around me, got the point?
3. Introduce more reliable sources. Using just Wikipedia as the source is underplaying this application. The application has good technology backing it and introducing more sources and information will only add to its value. Once more sources are added to the application; let the users choose what sources they want to see the information from.
4. Get more social, take advantage of the users using this application. You can do this by extending the UI to users where they can add locations that do not exist on any of the sources. Currently app suggests users to add new locations to Wikipedia which will eventually be shown on the Cyclopedia.

Again, it’s a wonderful application and a MUST for all travellers. Cyclopedia is priced at $1.99 and can be downloaded from the iTunes store, click here to go to iTunes.

That’s not all! Thanks to the team at Chemicals Weddings, we have a few redeem codes to share with our readers. Use these redeem codes to get this application for free from iTunes.

How to get the redeem code:

Join Technology Nerd fan group and leave a comment asking for a redeem code for “Cyclopedia” and make sure you leave your e-mail address aswell. Click here to visit Technology Nerd page on Facebook.

Take a look at the following video to see this app in action..

Update 5th OCT: Toby, from Chemical Wedding, got back to us with information regarding a few things pointed out in this article.

I mentioned about one of the locations I visited was on Wikipedia but Cyclopedia did not recognize it. Toby, pointed out that the application is fine and the reason why the location did not show up on Cyclopedia was because the article on Wikipedia was not geo-tagged.

Though there is no immediate solution to this issue, Cyclopedia might add a way to update geotaggs for the articles on Wikipedia from Cyclopedia itself.

Another peice of information Toby shared with us was about the new version of the application that has already been submitted to App store.

New application supports 8 new European languages additional fine tuning options in the radar section and better GPS handling.

Getting a favorite application for your Apple iPhone should not necessarily sting your pockets or force you to dole out that treasured dollars from your wallet. There are other interesting ways too. We are not talking about any sleazy ones; but then, we are talking about the legal and most importantly, FREE iphone applications.

Wondering how? Here is how to get paid Apple iPhone applications for free and  choose from numerous best iPhone apps.

To get free iphone apps, you will need to write the review for any of the iphone applications you are desiring to pocket in for the Fuelmyapp site. If they like it, the application is yours for free, of course not before fulfilling the terms and conditions imposed.

FuelMyApp : Choose from Best iPhone Apps

Why the application is made freely available? Simple. You write an iPhone application review for the website and they will return the favor giving you the application you’ve reviewed absolutely FREE. A sort of barter system.

This should also help the application developers to get quick reviews of the applications that  have just been launched or are awaiting reviews.

Here is how to get paid iphone applications for free –

Step 1 : Visit the FuelMyApp site (Click here to go.)

Step 2 : Choose a premium application and report your review.

Step 3 : Done. You will be allowed to download the otherwise paid iPhone application absolutely free (conditionally).

Note :

1. 1. If you are an iPhone owner, you will need your App Store nickname and Paypal address to get started.
2. 2. If you are an iPhone Application Developer, just register with Fuelmyapp and you are ready to go.

However, there are certain terms and conditions that should be met. For instance, you are required to pay the application price to Fuelmyapp.com before you run into the application of your choice.

Once you submit your honest review of the application you have chosen, the community should refund the amount to your account, provided the review is justified according to the developers and the website community and more importantly if they approve of it.

Click here to visit the FuelMyApp site for further details.

Tags: Apple iPhone, Best iPhone Apps, Free iPhone Apps, iPhone Application Review, iPhone Applications, iPhone apps for free
]]> http://tnerd.com/2009/10/04/review-an-iphone-application-and-get-it-for-free/feed/ 0 http://tnerd.com/2009/06/16/8-eye-candy-but-pointless-iphone-apps/ http://tnerd.com/2009/06/16/8-eye-candy-but-pointless-iphone-apps/#comments Mon, 15 Jun 2009 23:17:26 +0000 Abbas http://tnerd.com/?p=3890 You’ve seen some of the Best iPhone Apps on TNerd and around the web here is the list of applications which can either be termed as amusing, eyecandy but pointless applications or simply pointless or useless iPhone applications!

It’s really interesting to see how developers put their talent behind applications that are of little or no help but there is nothing wrong in doing that as this is how some of the top applications have been launched, trial and error! It’s better to do something and improve it to make it better and successful than just not doing it AT ALL!

Here goes the list…

WantBack iPhone App:

According to the developers this app is suppose to be the “life of the party”, the application was made to be smart and sarcastic but unfortunately I don’t see any of it happening.

I am sure most users of this app will agree with me. Check the video out to see what I mean..

Download this Pointless iPhone App from here

iSnort iPhone App:

This application is inspired by Virtual Pint and takes virtual doping to the next level but this is as pointless as virtual Pint!

Check it out in the video below.

Download this Pointless iPhone App from here

Disco Ball iPhone App:

The best way to listen to music from 70’s is to go back into 70’s, how? With Disco Ball obviously, NOT!

Developers of this app claim that the right way of listening to BeeGees and ABBA on your iPhone is by launching Disco Ball with the numbers playing in the background!

Download this Pointless iPhone App from here

Moo iPhone App :

This is another applciation which does not do much other than Moo’ing every time the phone is flipped or turned.

Download this Pointless iPhone App from here

Eshaver iPhone App:

Geeks are taking the idea of virtual life a little too seriously. This applications acts as a virtual shaver which does nothing but makes sounds when the iPhone is rubbed against your face!

Watch this video to see how pointless this apps is!

eShaver for iPhone from Fox on Vimeo.

Download this Pointless iPhone App from here

Following applications may be pointless but are certainly amusing and in some cases eye candy!

CandyClock iPhone App:

This is a clock application with some really nice and soothing background video effects.

Download this Eye Candy iPhone App from here

Holograms iPhone App:

I won’t call this application pointless but it eye candy for sure!! This application smartly captures images and then adds 3D, Hologram and other very nice looking effects.

I really liked 3D and Hologram effect, watch the video to see what I am talking about!

Download this eye-candy iPhone App from here

MouthOff iPhone App:

This is an amusing but pointless iPhone app. I don’t see it being used more than a couple of times. Yea, it can be fun for the first couple of times but not after that!

Description of this application actually goes to suggest that it can be used to lighten moods at the business meeting, really? I don’t think so!

Anyway watch the following video to see how this app works..

Download this eye-candy iPhone App from here

Here is an iPhone App (SlingPlayer), that’s managed to create a lot of buzz on the day it was launched, reason? Many! (Best iPhone Apps)

For one it’s an uncommon iPhone App that lets you Watch and Control home TV and DVR from your iPhone or iPod Touch and another reasons for the buzz is that AT&T has restricted this App from working on its 3G network.

Lets first talk about what the application can do before we get to what AT&T did to it and why.

Unlike other applications which let you watch limited number of TV channels for a price, SlingPlayer for iPhone lets you watch everything you watch on your home TV.

The application connects with a device called SlingBox which sits at home and connects to the TV and internet to grant access to any mobile application trying to access the media content on the TV at home.

SlingPlayer lets you fully control your TV and DVR from anywhere in the world via WiFi.

Also, keep in mind that SlingPlayer connects to SlingBox which is restricted to one connection at a time. So if multiple members of the family are trying to connect and watch TV, that probably isn’t possible.

Watch the video below to see SlingPlayer for iPhone in action..

SlingPlayer for iPhone and iPod Touch is currently available on iTunes and costs about $29, a little pricy but I think it’s worth it especially if you are a TV addict. Click here to visit AppStore to buy SlingPlayer for iPhone.

Now here is that AT&T did to make this application less useful for the buyers. It restricted its functionality to work on WiFi only, meaning SlingPlayer which can very well work on 3G is not allowed to work using AT&T’s 3G network.

The official explanation from AT&T was that their network is not powerful enough to handle the load, while one would think that probably might be true, there is more than meets the eye.

The same application which works on BlackBerry has complete access to the AT&T’s 3G network, then why not iPhone?

Another reason as Gizmodo reported is that AT&T is working on its own version of SlingPlayer for iPhone called “i-Verse” which works with their U-Verse TV Solution [link]

So that’s that about SlingPlayer for iPhone and iPod Touch a good application falling victim of its competitors and double standards of a giant corporation.

Each post is called a BOO! These BOO’s are available for everyone to view and listen to. At the time of uploading a BOO the software captures the GPS position and saves it with the BOO.

The best thing about the application is its simplicity. Record, Click and Upload, As simple as that! A typical BOO page shows you the recording, image if any and the GPS location. Members can leave comments and you can follow your favorite members and their BOO’s on the site.

Once a BOO is uploaded on the site you can embed it on your own website or blog or even leave links on the forums or anywhere on the web. Members can also configure their account to automatically post their BOO’s on Twitter and Facebook.

Here is an example of an embedded BOO!

The service was launched a month ago and has been attracting the right reviews and good number of users. Most of the users are still testing the app, so expect to see a lot of “Test” Boo’s!

One of the reporters from The Guaridan used this service to record the protests during the G20 summit in London. This is their claim to fame so far, I am sure there are many more to come.

Do you know of any service which does similar stuff for the videos? As simple as AudioBoo and offers similar services for Video files.

Watch the video below to see the app in action and the app can be downloaded from here.

Walking through Audioboo from Mark Rock on Vimeo.

The Video shows a “Moderation” section on the Boo page, but I am guessing that is for the Admins only.

The following list of the Best iPhone Apps to help you save some money on daily basis. The list has everything from saving on your restaurant bills to reducing your phone bills. As the idea behind this list is to save money I have made sure all the applications on the list are freely available on AppStore (with one tiny exception, one of the applications on the list costs $0.99 which is totally worth it).

Check it out!!

Cheap International – Free Local Calls: There are a number of iPhone applications which let you make free local calls over a Wi-Fi network and cheap international calls using VOIP technologies. These applications can save up to 95% of your monthly telephone bills.

Truphone, Fring, Nimbuzz are three known applications which will help you reduce your phone bills.

Shopping: Recession or no recession, some people just cannot stop shopping. WootWatch will at least make sure you are saving some while you spend on stuff (you don’t even need). Click here to download.

Books: This one is for the book readers… 

eReader offers free access to thousands of free classics as well as eBooks from top authors like Stephen King, Dean Koontz, Nora Roberts, Michael Crichton, etc.. In addition you can buy books online too..Click here to download.

Stanza is another book reading application which offers similar functionality as eReader. Click here to download.

It just boils down to which reading interface you like better while reading books in the above mentioned applications.

Cheap Gas: This application is offered by gasbuddy.com which lets it users know where they can find the cheapest gas in their area; also, map the route to the gas station. The paid version of this app not only lets you find cheap gas around you but also add or update new prices and locations. Click here to download.

Finance and Budget: It’s impossible to save money without know how much you really have. Knowing and organizing your finances can save a great deal, trust me!

Following Applications will help you organize and save some…

My Budget Money Management: This application lets you track your budget on daily, monthly, etc basis. You can track you recurring or onetime expenses on the go. This application keeps you updated with all your budget needs. Click here to download.

Gift Planner: Some people in life are so close and important that avoiding gifts on certain occasions is just impossible. This is the best application to manage your money when it comes to gifts. Click here to download.

Food: Eating at the restaurants is something you might want to avoid during these tough times.

Following applications help you save some money on food.

KidsEatFree: This is one application which is not free but is getting a mention on this article as it is really useful and does save some money up front. 

KidsEatFree locates restaurant near you which offer free meals for Kids.  It’s that simple, you recover the money you spent on this application the first time you go out dining. It’s worth it. Click here to download.

BigOven: Offers over 160,000+ recipes absolutely free. You can search the database by Dishes, Keywords, Ingredients, etc.. Click here to download.

All Recipes:  All Recipes is a similar application which offers tons of recipes absolutely free. The best feature of this application is, if you are not sure of what you want to eat “Just shake the phone” and it will come up with a random recipe. Click here to download.

Free Wi-Fi: Data plans on the phone can be expensive and especially if you are a internet-addict and on the move at all times the bill can hit the roof.
Following applications detect Wi-Fi. Free and Paid both!

Wi-Fi Finder offers a list of more than 200,000 locations across 135 countries. All of these locations are verified hotspot locations which are made available on iPhone and iPod touch. Click here to download.

I hope these applications save some money. If you use anyother iPhone application which helps you save money, do leave a comment and let us know about it.

This application is absolutely free, offers full GUI support through the process of cracking an application, and cracks multiple applications at one time.

Crackulous is based on the xCrack concept which is aimed at doing the same thing (cracking AppStore apps) but it makes the process much easier with its GUI support. The applications has been out since 3 months now but shared and distributed only to a closed beta group, however, because of its success in the closed beta the application was released for everyone to try.

Crackulous can be downloaded and installed from Cydia repo on hackulo.us.

Watch the video below to see this application in action! (Video is a little blurry)

This one goes right up to my Best iPhone Apps list, it’s called CubeCheater for iPhone. All you gotta do is click pictures of your Rubiks cube and the app will analyze how to solve it in the quickest way possible.

Once it analyzes, it’ll guide you through the steps to solve it..

Watch the video below to see this App in action.. and click here to visit CubeCheater on App Store

With Harmonica you can use your iPhone just like you play Harmonica. Isn’t that COOL? It is! The application costs $.99 and is available on iTunes for download, click here to visit the download page on iTunes.

“Harmonica features a genuinely-sampld 10-hole diatonic harmonica. Both single notes and chords are playable, as are “blow” notes and “draw” notes.”

Watch the video below to see this application in action..

The new app is based on the voice recognition technology which lets the users speak the query into their iPhone to search Google. It is also capable of showing search results based on your GPS location.

for example if you search speak into your iPhone searching for Pizza place standing in Chicago downtown, you will see results which are specific to that place.

Reviews have already started coming in and users are pretty happy with what the application has to offer.

Click here to visit iTunes store to download the application or watch the following video to see it in action.