Programs for phones

Hendrik · Post by **Hendrik** » Wed Apr 19, 2006 9:08 am

Given that phones are now tiny computers, presumably you can download pretty much any kind of application for them?
It seems silly to me that if they invented digital watches 20 years ago that could change the TV channel, why can't a mobile do the same twenty years on? All mobiles have infra-red now.

what applications would you like to see for phones?

do any of you know any good sites for downloading applications?

Great Plum · Post by **Great Plum** » Wed Apr 19, 2006 9:37 am

I'd like to see phones used for phonging people*grumble*

Richard Ruck · Post by **Richard Ruck** » Wed Apr 19, 2006 9:39 am

What's "phonging"?

Sounds fun.....

DavebytheSea · Post by **DavebytheSea** » Wed Apr 19, 2006 10:13 am

phung?

Great Plum · Post by **Great Plum** » Wed Apr 19, 2006 10:59 am

Oh you are all so funny...

DavebytheSea · Post by **DavebytheSea** » Wed Apr 19, 2006 12:13 pm

phungy? phongy?

matthew · Post by **matthew** » Wed Apr 19, 2006 2:17 pm

Hendrik wrote:Given that phones are now tiny computers, presumably you can download pretty much any kind of application for them?
It seems silly to me that if they invented digital watches 20 years ago that could change the TV channel, why can't a mobile do the same twenty years on? All mobiles have infra-red now.

Because the IR port on most phones is rather wimpy. It's designed to transfer data at a range of a metre or so, but you tend to sit further away from your TV.

There's a company called Psiloc at http://www.psiloc.com/ that does make a remote control application for some phones even so. I tried it. It didn't work too well. Depending on your phone and TV, you might have better luck.

Hendrik wrote:do any of you know any good sites for downloading applications?

There are two versions of the Opera web browser for mobile phones. Opera Mini at http://mini.opera.com/ is free and works on most newer phones. There's also a mobile version with more features available for some phones, but it costs money.

I also like Google Local for Mobile; it's a phone-based version of Google's maps, driving directions, and satellite imagery. You can get it at http://google.com/glm/. It's also free. Note that their street-level mapping only covers North America; they have major routes only for the UK and much of Europe. I expect that will change, though.

These programs use a data connection on your phone. Your provider may charge you for using them.

J.R. · Post by **J.R.** » Wed Apr 19, 2006 3:53 pm

Great Plum wrote:Oh you are all so funny...

....... and I never said a word !

On the same subject - I'd like someone to invent a device that disables all mobile phones in certain places, i.e. Theatres, Cinema's, Pubs, Trains etc.

I DON'T want to listen to other peoples innane conversations when I'm out socialising.

Great Plum · Post by **Great Plum** » Wed Apr 19, 2006 4:03 pm

Opera mini for your phone works quite well - I've tried it!

DavebytheSea · Post by **DavebytheSea** » Wed Apr 19, 2006 6:10 pm

Great Plum wrote:Opera mini for your phone works quite well - I've tried it!

Phinging phung?

Euterpe13 · Post by **Euterpe13** » Wed Apr 19, 2006 9:03 pm

DavebytheSea wrote:
Great Plum wrote:Opera mini for your phone works quite well - I've tried it!
Phinging phung?

Phidelio

DavebytheSea · Post by **DavebytheSea** » Wed Apr 19, 2006 10:30 pm

Phorgot that wung - Phidelio's fung tu

Hendrik · Post by **Hendrik** » Thu Apr 20, 2006 8:17 am

thanks matthew. will have a look.

i also noticed some websites offering Linux for phones, given that they all run on an Microsoft based OS (i think)

Hendrik · Post by **Hendrik** » Thu Apr 20, 2006 8:21 am

J.R. wrote:On the same subject - I'd like someone to invent a device that disables all mobile phones in certain places, i.e. Theatres, Cinema's, Pubs, Trains etc.

I DON'T want to listen to other peoples innane conversations when I'm out socialising.

it's already been invented. i think it may even be in use in some restaurants. and i whole-heartedly agree with you.
the thing that gets me most is the people who sit on the quiet carriages on trains and think that it doesn't apply to them. there's only one silent carriage per train for phucks sake! it's not like they're being persecuted!
arrghhh!