iPhone app Email ‘n Walk developed by Phase2 Media is focused on a simple requirement, ‘facilitate e-mail writing while you walk’. Interestingly, the idea started off as an April Fool's day iPhone app that lets you see where you're going.
I personally think it’s a very clever use of iPhone's camera and even though it has some limitations, I think it’s cool.
Well, the operation is simple; you launch the iPhone app when you want to compose an email while you are on the go. The app screen comes up with two fields – subject and the text, where you can type the body of the email. The app activates the iPhone Camera and puts the output as the background thus giving you visibility of what’s in front, while you are walking.
This way you can, not only compose your message but also see the objects or people in front of you. When you are done with the email, just click ‘Send’ and you will be redirected to the ‘email window’ where you can choose whom to send the email to.
I have the habit of typing while I am walking (though I won't recommend it) and this means that every second or two, I am forced to look up, just to make sure that I don’t bump into anyone or get hit by something. Now, when I tried the same thing on the Email ‘n’ Walk app, I observed the following:
- The app does what it claims, yes, it does show you what’s in front. But it's best suited when you are taking a stroll, I won't recommend it while passing through heavy traffic and most definitely not while you are driving.
- The app does not have a landscape mode, it would be nice to have an option to type in the landscape mode.
- The email feature works but it would have been nice to have the capability to type SMS as well.
- It’s a nice iPhone app but given the camera quality and pixel capacity – the video starts to shake if you walk any faster.
This app was free for a limited time, but now it costs $0.99. So do you think its worth it? Would it be a good idea to have this as a generic feature for other gaming and messaging iPhone apps as well?
We are curious to know your thoughts, so please feel free to drop us a line in the comments section below.
Thanks Egypt and Geogo3r for the heads up!
[Download Email 'n Walk using this direct iTunes link]
That is very cool. an SMS version and landscape typing would be necessary for my purchase. Would you even see much through the camera with landscape though?
I'll wait for Voice to Text (if your dev'ing it now, I'm waiting to part with cash for your App) (hint hint anyone)
I'm never so busy I can't stop for a min to type n send.
Really a great application not only of iPhone but of Mind as well!!!!
They should do this for sms, you don't know how many asians i see on campus walking zig zags and running into things.
Hey A,
Don't hate on Asians cuz we can afford the iPhone.
I seriously saw a guy recently texting while taking a piss in public restroom. I even told him: "That is some multitasking!" Now imagine what you see in iphone app in that situation!
I agree.
The more Asians with iphones the better! iphone (as a pc) was designed to control people's consciousness. So the more controlled Asians are, – the better, otherwise they would take over the world (cuz it's much more of them ~2 billion?)
So, "Good Job", Steve Jobs!
Why not use this idea as a background for any cellphone
Why not use this idea as a background for any cellphone
Why not use this idea as a background for any cellphone
Why not use this idea as a background for any cellphone
This would be much better in SMS too… but not lanscape mode… your hand would cover the camera and it wouldn't work… thats why they didn't dev it that way! Over-all, mad props… haven't tried it yet, i'm in Iraq… but i will try it as soon as i get home. Thanx,
Jeremy