Apple is entering an Appstore minefield

Apple's recent rejection of Google Voice and the removal of existing Google Voice applications from the AppStore is a dangerous step that could backfire badly on them.

I voiced my concern to Apple, as suggested in "There's No App for That" and sent an feedback message to Apple. Why don't you do the same and post your message on the Internet for others to see. Here is what I wrote:

The recent decision to remove Google Voice related Applications from the AppStore is a short sighted decision that could have far reaching ramifications.

I currently use Skype over WiFi to be able to call my children overseas. I was hoping to switch to Google Voice to do the same thing. I have been using the original iPhone since the very first day it was released. For other complicated reasons my contract expires early next year. At that point I will seriously have to consider whether I upgrade my iPhone or purchase an Android-based phone.

The moves that Apple have recently taken in the arbitrary removal of apps or refusal to accept applications in to the AppStore jeopardizes the customer and developer relationship. Whether this is Apple's own decision or as a result of pressure from AT&T is irrelevant. The lack of transparency in the approval process will drive your developer and technical user base to consider alternative options.

The growing level of innovation that Apple has triggered with the release of the iPhone is finally seeing viable competitors emerge. This will make it easier for people like myself, who have been committed Apple supporters, to consider alternative options.

I urge Apple to reconsider their position and be more open with the processes around submission of applications to the AppStore. If Apple insists on treating their development community with such disdain it will be rewarded with a growing level of defections to platforms that are more supportive.

Is Apple planning to remove other IM and voice applications like Skype? Will you consider allowing Google Voice applications to work over WiFi? Apple has to tread very carefully here. Alienating the development community could have big repercussions on the ongoing growth of both the iPhone, iPod and Mac markets.

Background iPhone Apps, Push Notification and the iPod Touch

There has been a lot of talk in the past few days about Google launching their Latitude App as a browser app on the iPhone. I have to agree with Marshall Kirkpatrick who said "Google Latitude on the iPhone? It's Terrible, Try Brightkite." Brightkite, even as a web app, is streets ahead of Google's Latitude in terms of usability. Brightkite's iPhone App just takes their service to another level.

The interesting issues that emerge around all this discussion are those of background applications and push notification. Let's bring some threads together here:

• Push notification is the bare minimum needed to allow applications to be updated with new contextual information. Thankfully the Push capability is in the works from Apple but will require iPhone application vendors to update their applications.
• Push needs to be coupled with continual updates to location, at the user's choice. So, even if I am not using the BrightKite App I might want to broadcast my location to the BrightKite servers so that they can send me relevant push notifications.
• The IPod touch is due for a product refresh and is rumored to be gaining a camera and microphone in the next iteration that is expected around September time. hat would tie in with Apple promoting the Touch heavily in their back to school promotions. Are they running down their inventory?
• Apple is rumored to be unhappy with AT&T - like many of us iPhone users. Their network is performing poorly, things are breaking - like voice mail. We still don't have MMS and Tethering. The AT&T MMS capability for the iPhone is worse than awful. I complained about the stupidity of it over a year ago. As a result AT&T may loose their exclusive deal next year. Alternatively Verizon might pick up the rumored Apple Tablet early next year.
• Verizon and Sprint have recently released the Novatel Mi-Fi which is a revolutionary personal wi-fi zone that supports up to 5 devices with a 3G backhaul. I wrote recently about how the Mi-Fi is a game changing product.
• Skype offers an iphone voice calling application that works over Wi-Fi. It works great. I regularly use it to call overseas without being stung by AT&T's outrageous per minute costs on overseas calls. I am not singling out AT&T here. Every cellular company seems to be happy to gouge their customers on international calls from your cell phone.

I still use the original iPhone, complete with cracked screen. With all of these factors playing out at the same time I am considering a scenario where:

1. Apple releases an upgraded iPod Touch with 64Gb so that it can store most of my music and it has a camera, microphone and speaker making it functionally equivalent to the iPhone
2. Apple releases a workable Push notification system
3. Skype, the Gizmo Project or Google Voice deliver an iPhone application that uses push notification to alert you to incoming calls. Gizmo is available on the iPhone via Nimbuzz.

If these three things come together then the iPod Touch could revolutionize cell phone use. People who are currently tied to AT&T in the USA could go to Sprint or Verizon and purchase a Mi-Fi with an unlimited data plan. In 2010 NovaTel might even release a Mi-Fi that uses Verizon's emerging LTE network for even faster backhaul.

UPDATE: Nimbuzz does in fact support push notifications. Since it supports the Gizmo Project and Google Voice supports Gizmo it means (in theory) you can get push notifications on calls to your Google Voice number notified to you via Nimbuzz when a call is re-directed to Gizmo by Google Voice.

Beware - Twitter search is broken!

Something seems to be going on with Twitter Search. ...or more correctly - something is not going on at Twitter Search. Old tweets appear to have disappeared. Twitter search is broken and the digital footprint from events have disappeared. This is really bad news for many people. Twitter search has become our memory jogger - a place we go to to pick up on the threads of past conversations.

As an example HealthcampMd took place on June 19th - a few short weeks ago, yet there is only one tweet in search from 6 days ago.

If you are covering an event this is bad news. The lasting digital footprint is an important outcome from an event. Is twitter just throwing their history away, or are they focusing resources on the real-time part of search? We need to know!

If you are running an event there is something you can do. I have used CoverItLive on a number of occasions. Thankfully I did this for the HealthCampMd event. CoverItLive is a great service that can aggregate the conversations going on at an event. They don't appear to throw away the history like Twitter is currently doing.

Here is their history of the HealthCampMd event.

BTW - Thanks to SocialText for hosting HealthCamp event sites and the site for http://healthca.mp. Thanks to them we are just in the process of setting up HealthCampToronto for September 16th. They create a great collaboration environment and their SocialText Desktop AIR application is a really nice feature as an event gets closer and traffic on the HealthCamp event site increases. Check out the demo here.

Twitter has released a Search Widget

TechCrunch has just alerted us that Twitter has released an updating search widget. You can get the widget here: http://twitter.com/goodies/widget_search

I am trying to insert a customized version in this blog but my Ecto Blog editor and blogger's online editor object to the code. The problem is with the link statement. I suspect that needs to go in the <head> section. Twitter probably needs to rework this code to be more blog friendly.

Has anyone got this to work in blogger yet?

However, if you see my next post - Twitter search is broken! so what point is this widget if the history has gone!

HealthCamp - Spreading the word - a call to Healthcamp Organizers

It has been a while since I last blogged. A lot has been happening, including a successful HealthCampMd event on the 19th June at Stevenson University.

I had intended to blog earlier but my Mac needed resuscitation at the local Apple Hospital. Thankfully, he had a health plan (The good 'ol Apple Protection Plan) and after a successful transplant (a new logic board) he has speedily returned home and back in to the fray.

After being cajoled by Jen McCabe (@jensmccabe) I submitted a proposal for a session to Medicine 2.0 which is being held later this year,in Toronto on September 17-18th. My session is about "how to run a successful HealthCamp."

Since I am planning to be in Toronto for the conference I am also working with Carlos Rizo (@carlosrizo) to run HealthCampToronto on Wednesday September 16th. Other HealthCamp events are in the works in New York and San Francisco Bay in September and October.

I have had requests from many parts of the country to run Healthcamps. In response to that demand I am planning an online Organizer Conference. If you are interested in running a HealthCamp event in your area please get in touch. You can leave a comment on this blog or drop me a message on Twitter (@ekivemark).

The online conference will have a limited number of slots and there will be a nominal participant charge in order to cover webinar and associated costs. As with past HealthCamp events, any surplus from the event goes towards the fledgling HealthCa.mp Foundation, a public charity I am organizing to promote HealthCamps around the country and around the world. Those funds are used to promote HealthCamp and help kick start other HealthCamp events.