Apple recently announced a major shift in how they treat free apps and I have been mulling over what it means to developers, in addition to end users.
In the past, "In-App Purchases", or the ability to add features to an app, were only available for paid apps. Free apps could not be upgraded, short of purchasing the paid version separately. Now, users of these free apps can purchase upgrades.
On one hand, more choices are a good thing. But I have some concerns.
Password managers allow you to securely store all of your passwords, account numbers, registration codes, and pretty much any other important or private information on your iPhone. There’s a number of these apps available in the App Store, but eWallet stands out because it provides 256-bit AES data encryption—the highest available. Additionally, Ilium Software, the developer of this app, provides customer support that is among the best in the business. Finally, the interface is intuitive and easy to use. You can even sync eWallet with your desktop computer, which makes it unique among this crowded field.
WebEx has become synonymous with online meetings and Web conferencing, and this iPhone app truly takes the WebEx experience to the next level. At first glance, you might not realize how practical it is, but once you get into a situation where you need it, you’ll see how valuable it is to be able to log into your meeting from wherever you are—whether you’re walking through an airport or standing in line at Starbucks. The app lets you view the presentation as well as simultaneously participate in the voice conference call.
Harvest is a leading online solution for time tracking, expense logging, client invoicing, and revenue/accounts receivable tracking. This app lets you use your iPhone to track your billable hours wherever you are.
This application (and others like it: see page 75) turns your iPhone into a mobile credit card terminal that allows you to accept payment from customers wherever you might be. As long as you have your iPhone with you, you won’t miss a sale.
