Awesome Apps - 26/08/12

This week I have found some really amazing apps and sites, in fact there have been so many new ones that it has been very hard to get this down to just three for the blog.  USA Today, International Herald Tribune and an old favourite - bbc click - have all pointed me in the direction of some great, innovative, things.

Here's my top 3 picks for awesome app status:
http://www.shopkick.com/ - This is retail rewards for just visiting a store.  You can build more points by linking a credit card for your transactions at that store too.  It's taking the rewards programme to the next level - finding out for retailers where you visit and then what you do, and of course don't, purchase.

http://qikserve.com/ - a waiter in your pocket?!!  Well, an app that lets you order your food from the table.  Launched at Bristol airport it gives you the chance to sit down with the kids/bags/etc away from the queuing hassle and order your grub.  Then its brought over to you.  Love the idea.  Not sure on the implementation yet - but think it could be a winner!  Would love to see this rolled out to many restaurants & fast food joints.


https://www.playfootfall.com/ - This is a social trading game designed to get you interested in being an entrepreneur.  I like anything that encourages the entrepreneurial gene so this one gets my vote.  It is focussed on shoes though - which isn't my passion - but a lovely idea.

The world of apps is really innovating at present.  I felt like I'd seen it all, but these are great and there are more smart people doing more smart things every day particularly in areas such as http://www.techcitymap.com/index.html

I look forward to publishing more awesome app stuff soon!

Awesome Apps This week

I've been in India this week, and I've included a little of the Indian seasoning into my Awesome Apps roundup for this week:

• Flipkart - Amazon.com but India style!  Next day delivery if its in stock.  You see a lot of motorcycles flinging themselves around Bangalore doing deliveries for these guys.
• Mpowa - Mobile payments for SMEs - UK.  Little adaptor and you can take card transactions :)  Featured in Sunday times last week.  
• Yepme - Fashion, e-commerce - Indian style!  So similar to US and UK and yet so different!

The Indian start up market is going crazy.  E-commerce is being fuelled by a wonderful obsession with mobile devices - particularly android devices.  Access is easy and the physical infrastructure and location issues experienced sometimes in India are overcome by the mobile device.





More awesome apps next week :)

Hackney House II

So, a lot has been happening at the Olympics and East London has been going through a fantastic regeneration as a function of this.

Alongside it, has been a conscious and deliberate investment in 'Tech City' by the Mayor of London and 10 Downing street - striving to make London the go to place for Tech Start ups in Europe.

As part of this, the Hackney House technology showcase venue has been running a lot of stuff, and we've been lucky enough to be part of it.  In particular the race for apps side of things has been a key area of fun for us.

Take a look at this film that tells the story...


We loved being involved with this.  It was a real win-win.  Met some very interesting people, got inspired by some great ideas, made some new friends and some new customers too!  Most importantly for us, we started to get right in the middle of the East London Startup vibe - which is pretty cool indeed :)

Big thanks to everyone who got involved and who made this so much fun.  Special thanks go to Duncan Ray and Andrew Sissons.

Awesome Apps this week - 07/08/12

Here are the three apps / sites that have tickled me this week, in the wibbly wobbly world that is testing, TCL and other stuff:

• Deliverance - a great app if you want take out in London.  It's not to be confused in any way with the movie!  Wonderful mobile version.  Interfaces with mobank for the payment.  Simple, easy and I love the bit on the site that tells you where your order is in the process.
• Rated People - find trades people.  Very handy way to get things done.  Nice interface on the rating side.  Makes life easy.
• Museum of Science - Love this place!  love this site!  Become a member and explore this museum more.  I go there every time we visit Boston.

That's my list for this week.  Hope that you enjoy visiting these as much as I have.  Look out for more Awesome Apps in future weeks.