I’m always on the lookout for great products, services, companies, ideas. Here are a few I’ve run into lately:
Uber
iPhone app to request a towncar. More expensive than a taxi, and not something I’d use every day, but for the occasional transportation when a taxi is a hassle, Uber is spot on perfect. The iPhone app is fantastic, you can follow the driver via GPS as he heads to your location, and since Uber has your credit card on file you just get in, go, and get out without having to deal with payment hassles or tipping. It’s all inclusive and effortless. Very well done.
TurboScan
iPhone app to scan documents with your iPhone camera. I was skeptical at first, but this thing delivers. It just works and it works well. Accurate, fast, convenient, and $2. No brainer.
Sanuk
I recently picked up a pair of Kyotos from Zappos and I couldn’t be more pleased. Very comfortable, casual, slip-on, kickaround shoes. Exactly what I was looking for.
Breville Tea Maker
This is definitely a luxury buy, but it’s a really well made product for the tea lover. Yes, it makes you feel lazy (“I never had a problem making tea myself before”), but it also makes you appreciate a product that is so well conceived for one specific purpose: Brewing tea at the proper temperature for just the right amount of time. I’m a fan.
Nokia Lumia 800 + Windows Phone 7.5
I’ve been hugely impressed with the Nokia Lumia 800 running Windows Phone 7.5. I’ve had an iPhone since day one, and every model since, but I really like the new path Microsoft is cutting with WP7 so I decided to give it an extended try. It’s been a bit over a week, and so far I don’t miss my iPhone at all. In fact, going back to the iPhone feels like going back in time. It’s rough around the edges in a few spots, but I think Microsoft is up to something good here. More on this in a future post after I’ve spent some more quality time with the phone/platform.
T-Mobile
In order to get the Nokia dialing I had to get a Micro SIM. I didn’t want to sign a long-term contract because I was just testing the phone, so I went over to T-Mobile to check out their pay-as-you-go plans. Wow, they’ve done a great job in that area. No contracts, dead simple pricing, quick-in-and-out of the store. I opted for the simple $2/day unlimited talk/text plan. If I don’t use the phone on a give day, there’s no charge. I loaded up the account with about $60 in credit and I was off and running. Really simple to understand and very well executed. Well done.
Mark Shust
on 28 Dec 11How do I get TurboScan on the Nokia?
I rest my case. The main reason I am (and will continue to be) an iPhone user for some time to come.
JF
on 28 Dec 11Mark: TurboScan isn’t available on the WP platform, but Handyscan is.
So far on my WP I’ve found decent alternatives for every app I use on my iPhone except for Uber. Overall the software is of higher quality on iOS, and the selection on iOS is much better, but of course it all depends on what you use your phone for.
So far the good parts of WP have outweighed the bad parts for my use cases. Your use cases may vary.
Sam Farmer
on 28 Dec 11I really like T-Mobile. Had them for years and always been happy: a customer focused cell company.
Looks like you can use text messages with Uber.
Rich S
on 28 Dec 11Really looking forward to hear that future post on WP7. As a developer it’s super easy to create apps for it, which puzzles me as to why certain ones are missing (Instagram and Mint especially).
JF
on 28 Dec 11Looks like you can use text messages with Uber.
Oh, great point. I forgot all about that. Yes, you can call a call via txt. The app is nice for the GPS tracking and seeing where the cars currently are, but it’s not necessary.
Andy Traub
on 28 Dec 11Thanks for this Jason. It’s amazing how helpful it would be if more people did this. App reviews seem to be less and less useful lately. When there’s a negative experience I can’t tell if it’s the user who is dumb or the app is poorly designed. Your use of a WP makes me laugh because it fits so well into who you are…willing to try new things and always testing limits. I know 37 signals is very loyal to Apple hardware for your computers but the fact that you went to T-mobile and got a WP to test out shows that you’re willing to push limits. I can honestly say the only thing keeping me from trying a WP is perception. Keep us posted.
David Kadavy
on 28 Dec 11Cool list – I’m so surprised to hear about that Windows phone. I’ve definitely liked an occasional Über for rides to the airport (so far, in Chicago, it’s pretty much impossible to take an Über from the airport since the nearest one is always 45 minutes away when I land.) The whole experience of using a regular cab is so terrible (impolite drivers, trying to pay with a credit card), Über is easily worth it when you don’t want the hassle.
Here’s my list: EatLikeThePros: a meal delivery service in Chicago. All organic, and lots of gluten-free options. Saves me a ton of time and I eat well.
Pimsleur Language Courses: Supposedly they remind you of a word just as you’re about to forget it. I believe it. I’ve learned way more than in High School Spanish Class.
Philips GoLite Blu: Prevents the winter blues, but it gets me so alert, I use it in the summer too. I like it so much, I bought the battery-powered travel version after the plug-in version convinced me that it was useful.
JF
on 28 Dec 11Thanks Andy.
If you want to grow you have to expose yourself to more things. If other people’s opinions or perceptions hold you back you’re only hurting yourself.
I’ve been exclusively Apple since I got my first Mac SE way back when, but Apple doesn’t have a lock on interesting ideas.
I’ve tried Android too, but I didn’t find any new interesting thinking in that platform. It felt very me-too iOS.
WP7 is entirely new and offers an original take on interacting with a mobile device. I’m a fan of original things and thinking so WP7 intrigues me.
Eric
on 28 Dec 11You can get the same $2/day deal on GoPhone and they can provide a micro-SIM as well for free. Maybe it’s just been a while since you were at a corporate store?
JF
on 28 Dec 11Eric: Yup, but I wanted to use this an opportunity to try something new. I’m already an AT&T customer. This was a chance to see how T-Mobile worked.
randy
on 28 Dec 11good call on the sanuks. i’ve had three pairs and wear them everywhere. I prefer the rubber soles versus the foam for longevity. but the customer service can’t be beat. i had an issue with one shoe, sent it in and they sent me a replacement pair. that’s how you foster loyalty! A fan for life.
Brian Dear
on 28 Dec 11I thought Windows Phone 7 was just a legend. It actually exists? I’ve been hearing about it since the olden times but never thought it would be real! As far as developing for it, no thanks. I would rather use PayPal and host my sites on GoDaddy than pay Microsoft for Visual Studio.
brad
on 28 Dec 11The tea maker is great. I don’t have a Breville, but a similar model, and if you’re making anything other than black tea it really helps to have a kettle that stops at the right temperature. The reason most people think green tea is bitter is because they drank tea brewed from boiling water instead of 75 degrees Celsius or whatever particular temperature that tea is meant to be brewed at. Green tea or white tea brewed at the right temperature is amazingly delicious stuff.
Stacy
on 28 Dec 11@Brian – Visual Studio is FREE to develop Windows Phone apps:
http://www.microsoft.com/visualstudio/en-us/products/2010-editions/windows-phone-developer-tools
JF
on 28 Dec 11@David I hadn’t heard of eatlikethepros.com but I’m going to give it a try. Thanks for the recommendation.
Jos
on 28 Dec 11Am I so old already? Everytime I read “WP” phone; my brain reads “WordPerfect”... :-)
@ggwicz
on 29 Dec 11Great list. Any interesting reads recently?
EH
on 29 Dec 11I’ve been going through US teamaking supplies for nigh-on 15 years and after a Breville, a Braun, a Bodum, a Black & Decker, and I think one other, by far the bestest of the best is my Zojirushi water boiler. I have 4L constantly at 208deg F, with three other temperature settings if I want to be a green tea nerd (down to 140deg F).
http://www.zojirushi.com/products/cdwbc
EH
on 29 Dec 11Oh that’s right: Mrs. Tea
Free Online Notes
on 29 Dec 11I will buy all these apps, thanks.
Henrik N
on 29 Dec 11TurboScan seems like it can be useful – giving it a go – but it gives a quite shabby and unpolished impression. Edge detection is way off with a white receipt photographed against black. It defaults document size to A4 when the receipt I photographed very obviously has nothing like that aspect.
Just like using or just looking at a well-designed app or item will brighten your day, I find poorly designed apps like this one make you a little sad, if you care about those things.
Max
on 29 Dec 11Thanks so much for mentioning Uber Jason! If anyone has any questions, feel free to hit us up on our Twitter page: twitter.com/uber_chi or you can email us [email protected]. Thanks!
Ryan
on 29 Dec 11Stoked to see Sanuk make the list! Their products are awesome! I would recommend buying their “dressier” shoes for business travel. They’re a great way to get through security quickly, and still look classy. While we’re on the topic of great companies, I am in the market for a SMS-Marketing platform for my company. People have recommended textingly.com and msgme.com… does anyone have any other recommendations?
hoc tieng anh
on 30 Dec 11I went to my local Chase branch over the Thanksgiving weekend and realized that the blinking light on the ATM is no longer green. It is now blue.
Devan
on 30 Dec 11Tea from a machine? Oh dear.
The proper way: http://h2g2.com/dna/h2g2/A61345
“Share and Enjoy!”... :)
Matt
on 30 Dec 11I LOVE my Sanuks.
web development newcastle
on 30 Dec 11Have to agree, the Lumia is a phenominal device. Makes the iPhone feel dated. Although, Siri is still king!
Brad Farris
on 30 Dec 11Im a fan of GeniusScan for iPhone. Great contrast, white balance, and keystone adjustments.
Your mileage may vary, but it’s been great for me.
Tomas Ordonez
on 30 Dec 11This is my list of stuff that I use, not exactly that I tried recently:
Highrise and its simplicity Olark even when no one wants to ask questions Hubspot even when their CMS is not user friendly Google Docs and how 99% reliable they are iMovie and how easy is to produce a video and to learn I was getting quotes of $1000 to produce a video I made myself in one hour. Spotify and how they managed to get every song in the universe RSS Reader for Chrome so I can read the latest 37signals and Kadavy’s blog postings
Nate
on 30 Dec 11I love T-Mobile but I also love the iPhone. My contract is nearing the end and I have a decision to make. You’ve given me another option to consider. Happy New Year J.
Tim Beyers
on 01 Jan 12Good tip re TurboScan. I like it for receipts; not so much for business cards.
I’m a solo worker and striving to keep costs low so I won’t be buying a distinct scanner soon—but I do love the idea of taking a quick scan of a business card and attaching it to a Highrise note.
EH
on 01 Jan 12Devan: I’ll see that, and raise you: http://www.booksatoz.com/witsend/tea/orwell.htm
Devan
on 04 Jan 12@EH – Nice!! I fold…time for a cup of tea… ;)
This discussion is closed.