There’s no doubt that the launch of the iTunes App Store has been a contributing factor to the success of the new iPhone 3G. Whether it be games, social networking, or utility software, iPhone and iPod Touch users alike are searching for the elusive “killer app” that make their technology more useful and more fun.
There are many excellent Apps so far. Apple’s Remote allows users to turn their iPhones into the most expensive remote control on the planet. But what a remote it is! Using the same interface as the iPhone, Remote is a definite winner for use with iTunes, but definitely with AppleTV. Games such a Super Monkey Ball and Crash Bandicoot Nitro Cart 3D impress with solid gameplay, console quality graphics, and intuitive use of the iPhone’s abilities. Utility software is lagging behind, but recent launches such as Files are filling the gap.
There is one major App I’d like to see: a portable version of Microsoft Word. Nothing fancy, four or five of the most popular fonts, and the ability to use bold, italics and underlined text. I’d like to be able to save files as Rich Text Format, standard Word format, and text only. Also, wireless transfer and syncing to computers, and the ability to copy and paste into the documents would be essential. It could be marketed concurrently with a portable keyboard that hooks into the iPhone’s 30-pin adapter.
Why Microsoft Word? The ability to write and edit documents is the only feature I miss on the iPhone, and the only thing that I still need my laptop for while I am out and about. Word processing on the iPhone would make it completely unnecessary to take my computer out of the office except for long business trips.
I don’t know if Microsoft plans to make an iPhone version of their Office software, though it is entirely feasible considering they have done it for years with PDAs. I have a feeling that a word processing App could be a lucrative success, and if Microsoft doesn’t jump on it another developer will.
So, what’s your killer App?
“Remote” is my favourite so far. Combine with an Airport Express to create a dynamic house-wide listening experience
http://lifehacker.com/400235/turn-your-iphone-or-ipod-touch-into-a-multi+room-wireless-music-remote
I’m also blown away by “Shazam”. A 10-second sound clip gets you the artist name, album and song title. I have no idea how it works, but it works really well.
You just described what Blackberry and PDA users have been enjoying for years.
Quite true, and frankly I believe it is the only major flaw that separates the iPhone from the rest of the pack.