There's an App for that...

Own an iPhone? Then there’s at least a 1 in 2 chance you’ve downloaded a paid app for it.

According to AdMob’s Mobile Metrics, “Nineteen percent of Android users regularly download one or more paid apps a month, compared to 50 percent of iPhone users and 40 percent of iPod touch users.”

The trouble is, we’re being inundated with thousands of applications that aren’t necessarily a step in the right direction, or indeed, useful, including this one covered by Mashable this week:


Viper SmartStart iPhone App

The app combines the Viper SmartStart remote system (a device fitted to some US cars to allow them to be started without a key and remotely) with an iPhone app that can unlock, lock, start and open the trunk of your car from virtually anywhere.

One of the main advantages being touted is that you can start your car in the winter and begin heating it before you leave the house. Great. Unless your iPhone is stolen. (edit: apparently, you still need the key to drive off. Doesn’t this make it even more useless then?)

Or your car whilst unlocked. Brilliant.


The consensus on Mashable, is that it’s just plain lazy. As per peacechicken’s comment below:



Which brings us neatly onto price. The system is $499 if your car isn’t currently equipped, or $299 for the module if your car does currently have SmartStart. The app itself is free.

Now maybe we’re being too harsh on the app itself, when we’ve really got issues with the system. So we’ll let you decide.

What other useless apps are out there? Let us know in the comments.

Time Flies When You're Having Fun

So it’s Friday afternoon and that means that my first week at Sticky Media Group is nearly over. I’ve written some Blog posts, critiqued a few websites and pondered over more social media than you can shake a creative stick at.

In between scribbling on sticky notes and working out how to record a voicemail message, I’ve been busy finding great addons and apps for social media platforms. So, allow me to share a few of the good ones with you so I can feel warm and fuzzy.

Apps for Twitter

There’s a whole host of apps and add-ons out there for improving the way you use social media, including connecting your accounts on Linkedin and Twitter using TwitterFeed, right through to saving your Tweets for a later time using TweetLater, and TwitRobot.



If it’s trends and hot topics that capture your attention, try Twist to see the latest Tweets on news subjects. Twitter’s own “Trending Topics” is also a great spot.

Useful Tools

We all know fitting links into 140 characters requires a bit of creativity, namely using URL shorteners like Tr.im and Bit.ly, but now try StumbleUpon’s latest offering: Su.pr. This one allows you to increase your web visibility on StumbleUpon and allows viewing of shortened links in the Stumble bar.

And finally, something almost completely unrelated that amused me today: Twitter Pigeon.

Have a good weekend, and let me know your most useful social media apps and websites in the comments below.