Even when you think you know a place, there’s still a lot to be discovered, be it interesting places or local events. That’s where Loopt Pulse comes in. The app’s sole purpose is to introduce you to places and events in your area that you might or might not know about, and that are bound to be appealing to you, while also allowing you to connect with your friends and view their favorite spots.
On the iPad, Loopt pulse is especially stunning because it presents one huge map to you, with all events or locations of interest pinpointed. As you move around the map, you can refresh it accordingly, so you can even see what’s going on outside of your immediate area. The “Interesting Places” list details exactly what you’re looking at, and enables an alternative method to finding out what and where places are. If something is particularly intriguing to you, you can click on it to find out more information and see how many other Loopters recommend it as well as what sorts of awards and recognition it has received.
What sets the app apart, especially on the iPad, is the Photo Mode, which, under generic headings, presents everything as a picture instead of a list. This is a gift for those who are more visually inclined, as you can actually get a picture of what is around you so you can accurately gauge what you would like to be doing or where you would like to be going. Furthermore, when you click on a picture, you get a more extensive description than you do from the map (including how many stars its been given), and you can also find links to the place or event’s website, as well as an option to find a Google Maps route, and the ability to share your finding via email.
The final element to the app is the Facebook connectivity. You can see what your friends’ favorites are and also share what you’ve found to be noteworthy. However, in order to save a favorite, you have to go through photo mode and “Like” a particular event or place, and likewise, your friends must be linked to Loopt Pulse in order for you to access their notables.
While the aesthetics and information presented by Loopt Pulse are pretty incredible, I certainly had some issues with the interface. As a first time user, it was not obvious to me that, as I noted earlier, favorites could only be selected in Photo mode. Furthermore, given the fact that this is a “social networking app,” I thought that there would be more of a social networking element to it. Since none of my Facebook friends seem to have Loopt Pulse, all social elements were eliminated. I think the app could certainly benefit from having more than one medium of social capabilities to rely on, and I think that it could also be beneficial for people to be able to see how other Loopters have commented on things as opposed to simply how many other people have “liked” something.
Another issue I had was with the “routing.” When I tried to get directions to a particular location, it took me completely out of the app and into Google Maps. While I think it’s great to link to Google Maps, it would have been better if it could have staid internally in the app so that I would not have to completely restart Loopt Pulse after finding directions.
While many other apps are similar to Loopt Pulse, Loopt Pulse has some standout features. From what I’ve seen, it presents the best range of places, events, and corresponding details, and also has some of the best graphics around. I do think some improvements need to be made to make it more user friendly and to make it a true social networking app, but I think there are many redeeming qualities to the app that make it a worthwhile download (especially since it’s free). If nothing else, it will link you to some hip places you would have never thought to try and it will show you what there is to do even when you thought you had exhausted all options. Loopt Pulse on the iPad certainly brings any area to life.
This article was published by iphoneapplicationlist.com
written by Duy Phong
\\ tags: App, Apple, Application, Download, Free, Google, Iphone, OS
Just when I finished reporting on iPod docks today, along comes this OttLite POD Lamp. 
There are moments when the choices app developers make absolutely boggle my mind. Take Movies Now HD, a new universal app for both the iPhone and iPad. There’s nothing wrong with the app, per se; it does what it says it will do. It locates movie theaters near where you live, provides showtimes, plot synopses and movie trailers. If you want to buy movie tickets, you can using your movietickets.com account, provided a theater near you honors the service. The trouble is, Movies Now HD costs $1.99, and there are several other, much better, options that do the same thing and more for free. 
I remember about ten years ago we seemed suck in the age of the Palm Pilot. It was before everyone had a cell phone, and it seemed the low-budget wireless alternative. 
Comments