iPad Iphone Apps - best of...

[norb]

I think the best iPhone Astronomical App is

GO SKYWATCH.

.. making the best use of the accelero-compass gear, you can point it to the nightsky and it tells you the names!

I make the
THE ASTRONOMICAL POCKET DIARY (info (http://y23.com/apd/))

and now have a iPhone/iPad/IPod Touch version for 2010+2011!! Very Nice on the iPad, too (http://y23.com/apdiphone/iPad-showcase.html)!

For 2011, a paper/print edition (http://y23.com/apd2/apd.htm) customised for Brisbane is in the works, and maybe one for Sydney if there is a demand at all.

cheeerio from hot Germany,
Norbert

[BB]

I have found the Voyager app is brilliant, i also use it on my laptop when i am observing. Easy to use and a heap of info!!

[norb]

Do you mean this one: "Sky Voyager (http://itunes.apple.com/app/skyvoyager/id319159213?mt=8)"???

My favourite GoSkywatch is here (http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/goskywatch-planetarium/id284980812?mt=8).

FYI each app has an ID... and has an entry in the (NON-SEARCHABLE!) Apple-App-shop Web interface. (the APD (http://y23.com/apd/) 2010+2011 almanac is 380726782 (http://itunes.apple.com/de/app/y23-apd-astronomy-sky-calendar-agenda-moon-planets-stars-mars-venus/id380726782?mt=8#)).
To search, one needs iTunes (bloatware, spyware, don't do it!). Every iPhone/iPad/IPod Touch has iTunes built-in. It is more convenient to search the App-shop on an apple mobile phone.

All non-apple-mac-iTunes users need to use google.

In my opinion, mobile phone apps are great. Instant info in one's pocket.

[BB]

Yep, I should have said "sky voyager" I was at work when I replied (shhh dont tell my boss!) ;) and left my iPod in the car, I couldn't remember the full name. I also have goskywatch, I like it as well, I just prefer sky voyager cause I have it on my pc and laptop.:) sky map pro is useful aswell:rofl:

[BB]

Doh! I mean star map pro! :rolleyes:

[Omaroo]

I really don't think so. If you are referring to the Genius feature, "spyware" it is not. It simply gathers marketing information like many others including Pandora, linking your preference in music with what's available in the store. If you are dealing in pirated music then you might be in trouble.

[Jeffkop]

I used to have many great apps on my Iphone ... until loading the latest versions of the Iphone operating system ... now its the greatest pain in the butt and such a disappointment ... Worst thing is .. Mr apple in his infinite wisdom wont let me go back to the software that worked !!!

I would have recommended one of these to anyone up until 3 or so weeks ago ... now ... you'de have to be joking.

Sorry for the small departure from the thread, but I really did have some amazing apps once.

[Omaroo]

Are you running an old 3G phone Jeff?

[Jeffkop]

Yes Chris ... from Optus ... probably had it since March ... Good guess.

[davewaldo]

The 3G doesn't run iOS 4 very well. I have experienced very poor performance with my 3G once I "upgraded" to iOS 4. However I have found a couple of ways to improve performance.

First turn off spotlight search (who uses it anyways right). Go to settings, general, home button, spotlight, then untick everything. This gains a fair bit of speed.

The other thing I did was a DFU restore. This is like a normal restore but resets the firmware and is more of a clean install. To do this connect to itunes and sync/backup. Then hold down the power button and the home button for 10 secs. Then release only the power button for another 10 secs, then release the home button. The iphone screen should stay blank and you should get a pop up in itunes (if you get any other result reset and try again). Follow the prompts to do a restore and update. Then sync, and your phone should be back to how it was but running faster.

Doing this procedure has made my 3G work as fast as it used to on iOS 3.2. However if you still want to downgrade back to iOS 3.2 just do a google search. There are many sites explaining how to do it, its not hard.

[Jeffkop]

Awesome ... I will try it tonight Dave. I Got so used to that phone and what it offered in short space of time, feels like I've lost something at the moment :lol::lol: No all jokes aside ... its been majorly disappointing. I will have a look around on the net find out how I can go back if the restore doesnt work.

Thanks for this.

[norb]

::: has anyone tried THE ASTRONOMICAL POCKET DIARY (http://itunes.apple.com/de/app/y23-apd-astronomy-sky-calendar-agenda-moon-planets-stars-mars-venus/id380726782?mt=8#) on the iPhone yet?
Isn't it a nice Almanac for 2010 and 2011??

Today (2nd August) (http://y23.com/apdoe/) it says that it is the 30th anniversary of the bombing in Bologna.

A free 2011 (printed, australian edition (http://y23.com/apd2/apd.htm)) APD for the person who can best explain who was responsible.

:-)

[norb]

I just made and uploaded an instructional video ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uw_CmlgzGUk

maybe a bit too funky?

[gb_astro]

Hi Norb.

Your screen shot it looks good except for the historic dates at the bottom.
They look a bit messy to me.
I would put them on a separate page.

gb.

[Jules76]

FYI there is a 4.1 in the works (currently in beta) which I've heard is faster on the older 3G iPhone. Whether or not the final release is the same time will tell. But there is some hope Apple has gone some way into resolving the issue.

[acropolite]

Thanks for the heads up Dave, I'll try the fix when I get home, my 3gs has also been a touch dim witted since upgrading to R4.