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Living with an iPhone in a Lotus Notes world got significantly easier for me today.

I spotted a Twitter post from Dr. Brill* saying he was reading about this iPhone app. No more than 10 minutes later, it earned a coveted spot on the first menu screen on my iPhone. In short, the app allows you to search your company’s name and address book (domino directory) and retrieve listings for people in your company. Its easy to set up and there’s a “lite” version which allows you to try the app, confirm you can connect (via HTTP or HTTPS) and retrieve someone’s email address — which, by the way, is EXACTLY how the “lite” version of that app should work in order to earn a sale. Well done!

The app even warns you about storing your user name and password on the iPhone (not a requirement, but most people will likely do this out of convenience).

Its a great app! My only suggestion for improvement would be to either allow for names to be retrieved from the address book (like a mass download on launch, with a periodic update every x-days/hours) and/or the ability to store records I’ve searched for already. — Even without that, its a handy app!

* Ed Brill may or may not be an actual doctor. I have no clue.

Tags: apps, iphone, lotus, nab

The invite to Google Voice that laid waiting in my inbox this morning really felt like getting the golden ticket from Willy Wonka. The slow-releasing invites appear to be causing quite a bit of buzz (eBay has a number of them for sale ranging from about $50-$150).

I knew this product would be cool – but I didn’t realize how it would completely change how I manage phone calls at the office… within the first 30 minutes of using it.

Here’s the run-down of how it did that…

• Setup Google Voice phone number (even got a vanity number!)
• Forwarded it to my cell phone number
• Recorded three voicemail messages (friends, work and default)
• Setup a few contacts who are likely to call on the new Google number and assigned them a voicemail message
• Forwarded my office phone to my new Google #

That’s it (so far). Here’s what its done to improve things for me:

• ALL office calls (ones I want; many I don’t) appear on my cell (w/o having to give out my cell #)
• If I ignore the call – it goes to Google voicemail w/ the “work” message (since its forwarded from my office phone, the source phone # is always my extension)
• Google voice saves the message, transcribes it into my inbox as text (and is surprisingly accurate) AND sends me a text message with the first several words of the message that was left.
• I now know exactly who called, when, and can SEE what they were talking about without having to listen through the entire message.
• All “um’s” and “uh’s” are removed from the text transcription
• I can listen, forward, save or delete the messages via my Google website (including some of that functionality on my iPhone)

And I haven’t even getting to a whole list of other cool stuff it does. For example, I can click on a contact’s name/number and press “Call.” Google will call my cell phone and as I pick up a voice tells me to wait a moment while it places the call; it then dials the number of the person I’m calling and the call is routed — for free (in the U.S.).

An amazing tool. I’m already feeling like I don’t know what I’d do without it and anxious to see what else I can do with it. Stay tuned…

Tags: awesomeness, cell phones, google voice, phones

Sadly, no, I’m not talking about ActiveSync support for Notes. I’m not even talking about a session guide for the 2010 Lotusphere. No, I’m talking about the newly released iPhone application for Disney’s Swan and Dolphin resort.

The application is designed to be a helpful guide to restaurants, activities and everything else at the resorts. Its a free application that is great for the first time visitor of the event (or for big Disney fans). Clever features in the application include clickable phone numbers (which isn’t so much of a technical accomplishment as it is a nice idea they didn’t over-look) for making reservations or contacting the hotel directly. The app is the first iPhone application for any Disney resort hotel anywhere in the world… and technically, the resorts aren’t owned by Disney.

Tags: disney, iphone, lotusphere

Backstory: I posted an entry about how I would have LOVED to see “Lotus Notes/Domino” support listed (by Apple) with the announcements of new iPhone features. I get questioned (a lot) from end-users (and for that matter, others who read this blog) about when that support is coming. — Ed Brill left a comment to that post which made me realize something VERY important: I made it sound like I was blaming IBM/Lotus. I thought correcting that was more important than burring a “comment” response to the post – thus what you’re about to read…

One of THE MOST IMPRESSIVE things that I learned at Lotusphere 2009 didn’t come from a session or presenter… it came from someone who I kept noticing appeared in multiple sessions. I introduced myself to the person only to find out they were from Apple and attending the event as part of the partnership that IBM/Apple have, and will build upon for the future.

That’s a big deal.

IBM and Apple are very different companies. Suits (or at least biz caz) vs. Jeans. PC (-bias) vs. Mac. B2B vs. B2C. — At the core, you have one company (IBM) that needs to produce roadmaps of their software offerings so enterprises can plan ahead. The other  (Apple) wants to keep as many secrets as possible until the very end as part of their marketing/hype strategy.

And in the middle – you have the overlap issues; like getting the iPhone and Notes to work together. Which I learned, isn’t as much of a technical complication as it is a plain complication. (Ed talked briefly about this concept as well during … whatever the Mac-love-fest BOF event was.)

Leaving Lotusphere, I had an appreciation for how much effort both parties need to put into working together in light of some fundamental differences. I also (to Ed’s comment/point) gained a respect for the fact that its not ONE party’s “problem” for why there isn’t iPhone support … its more complicated.

So… back to my original blog post; what I meant to say was: It would have been GREAT to see “Lotus Notes/Domino” support in the Apple keynote presentation – and as I remind people to wait because “a product is coming” I need to also be careful to point out that its not the fault of one of the two parties … its more complicated than that.

Thanks, Ed, for keeping me honest with that! 

Tags: Apple / Mac, iphone, lotus

That is the single most frequently asked question I get at work. It has been since the day the original iPhone came out. The frequency increased once the 3G phone came out. It increased again when people saw “iPhone” on Lotus websites (most of whom didn’t realize that it was talking about a web experience, not an integrated application). And now that the most recent Apple event has concluded, the question is very much back on the radar screen.

The answer: no.

Yes, you can see the beta in Greenhouse. Yes, “its coming” is the official answer. No, no one has a date that they are willing to share.

Patience, grasshopper.

Tags: iphone, lotus notes, waiting

Yep. Its out there. This release features (among other things) features updates to Traveler which provide support for the iPhone. According to Sr. Ed, the beta has been distributed to a select group while a “managed” beta will be available… eh, later. However, you can test drive it on Greenhouse later this week.

Two important notes:

1. If you see emails coming from me using the greenhouse domain, now you know why. 
2. If anyone has a copy they want to share … er… NOT share (wink wink)…

Meanwhile, OpenNTF.org got quite the upgrade when I wasn’t looking. I’ve always been a fan of this site. Even if they don’t have a perfectly matching application for what you need – its a great place to get some free head-starts. Lately, I’ve been playing around A LOT with the Xpages Wiki application which is fantastic. I could use some small improvements and this would be a powerful app for our organization.

Wow… busy week in the world of Lotus!

Tags: beta, greenhouse, iphone, lotus notes, openntf

About three years ago, I did a post about TiVo-Life integration. The premise was simple: as you integrate TiVo into your life, you go through specific stages that seem to be common among people. I find that I still get people who discover this after being new to DVRs and agree with the stages I proposed.

Three years later, I’ve got another one: iPhone & Life Integration.

Stage 1: Contract bustin’

Persons in this stage are often heard using the following phrases:

• “I’m going to get an iPhone, I’m just waiting for my contract with (insert non-AT&T carrier) is up.”
• “Yeah, I’m gettin’ an iPhone, just gotta wait ’till my company supports them.”
• “I’m going to get the new iPhone, I hear it comes out next month.” (that one can be used at any time of the year)

Stage 2: Love is blind

Once the iPhone has been obtained, activated and synchronized with contacts, email, etc.; the user falls so in love with the iPhone that they fail to see its shortcomings, including things like spotty AT&T reception, lack of 3G networks in some areas, call dropping and poor audio quality. They simply accept all of these things as “normal” for any phone. In fairness, the iPhone isn’t that much better or worse than other phones you might have used … its just not “far better” despite the comments people in this stage might make; stating “Dude, its the best phone ever! Call quality is awesome!”

Stage 3: Apps? Yes, please!

This stage always starts with the following questions:

• “What are apps?”
• “How do I get apps?”
• “What apps should I get?”

Other iPhone users will help out, offering their choice as some of the “must have” apps. Devious iPhone users may even recommend expensive apps, just to get their friends to shell out money. However the app-acquisition process begins, it always ends the same: app addiction. The iPhone screen becomes a potpourri of applications. Some helpful. Some silly. Some completely useless. And Facebook.

Stage 4: Accessories & Upgrades

Complete with at least 4 home screens full of applications, the user now branches beyond what’s INSIDE the iPhone to what is OUTSIDE. Persons in this stage can be found wandering between different choices for cases, bluetooth adapters or even power cords as they search for something to modernize their iPhone. This is often done because they are so committed to the iPhone, they lack interest in looking at other cell phones as frequently as they once had.

Ultimately, this stage leads to an iPhone upgrade, where the user convinces themselves that they need a new one. Perhaps for space, color or some new feature. Even if they have the latest, largest and most best-est version out there, they anxiously await their Apple news blog dujour for news about iPhone upgrades that might be coming … and begin listing the reasons for why they need to upgrade their phone. This will often be accompianed with a listing of phantom problems with their current one.

I feel compelled to mention that when I went from the EDGE iPhone to the 3G one, it was because my screen was completely cracked due to an accident. That was all legit. Honest.

Tags: funny, iphone

When the iPhone was announced, Starbucks was one of the first companies to come forward expressing their excitement for the new, ground-breaking device. They comitted to launching WiFi connectivity for the phone in nearly all stores within a few months.

When that announcement was made, I recall that it felt like it took FOREVER for it to actually happen. Now, its just assumed that whatever Starbucks I go to will be ready to connect my iPhone (for free, for an hour, more if I use my Starbucks card within the last 30 days).

However, I think the implementation needs some work. Here’s the process:

1. Try to do something that requires an internet connection (from your iPhone, obviously).
2. Confirm that you want to connect to their WiFi spot.
3. Go to Safari to log in.
4. Enter your phone number (this is the number associated with the device you are currently holding which is attempting to connect to the network).
5. Note: Step 4 may need to be repeated, despite your correct entry of the phone number.
6. Get a web page prompt telling you you’ll get a text message shortly (no charge) with a link that will connect you.
7. Wait (results may vary).
8. Open text message. Click on link (which opens Safari).
9. Confirm that you are connected, then browse the internet for up to 60 minutes.

Don’t get me wrong … I’m not complaining about the ability to do this… just that it seems like there ought to be a way to cut this down to like … 3 steps or something. I dunno … the people at Apple and Starbucks are both smart I think they can come up with something.

… and don’t even get me started on how much I think THIS needs to happen!

Tags: easy, iphone, starbucks

My favorite part of my job description reads like this:

“Stay abreast of current and emerging technologies and actively seek ways to integrate them into the IT and overall business strategy where appropriate.”

I find that I’m often testing out new websites, applications, tools, etc. both because I’m interested in doing so, but also because “its my job.” I also find that some really good ideas don’t go very far just because the application isn’t all there, or is a bit complicated or because I can’t see people easily adopting it.

However, I’ve noticed lately that some applications pop up on the radar screen again and get a second chance because they have an iPhone. Some of those include:

reQall
Rundown: Call a number, visit a website or use the iPhone app to describe something you have to do and when it needs to be done. reQall will translate your voice into text, determine what time/date it is needed and send you reminders via email, the website or iPhone app.
Review: Handy app. I can how people would really integrate this into their workflow. For me, its just a great way to not forget something that I remember when I’m driving, on a weekend, etc. I simply call the reQall number, say what I want to remember and when I need to remember it by, and the app emails me and places it in my iPhone application. Simple enough.

Basecamp/Basetent
Rundown: Basecamp is a simple to-do and project management utility on the web. I like it because the free version allows me to send tasks via email to people and isn’t bloated with all sorts of useless tools which can quickly complicate projects that simply aren’t big enough to warrant them (not to say the product can’t be used for big projects – just that I don’t use it for that). I have a standing meeting with my team each Monday morning and I keep track of all of our high priority items on the site. With lots of ajax-y-ness, I can add tasks, assign to people and send them an email. Easy. Simple.
Review: Basetent (lite version available) is an iPhone application that lets me access my Basecamp project on the go. The interface is very good and it makes it that much easier for me to keep important projects and to-do’s infront of me at all times. Its actually extended the way I use Basecamp quite a bit since it made it that much easier to carry information with me.

TripIt
Rundown: Email your confirmation information from airlines, hotels, rental cars, etc. to TripIt from an email account you register. The service figures out what information is important and creates an itinerary with the information as well as handy links including things like maps between the airport you are landing at and the hotel you are traveling to.
Review: There are lots of features available and I’ve just scratched the surface, however this is one of my favorite applications. I used it a while ago and thought it was good, but the addition of an iPhone app lets me carry my itenerary with me at all times complete with handy links and a nice interface. Brilliant!

Tags: applications, basecamp, basetent, iphone, reqall, travel, tripit

According to Ed Brill’s twitter stream:

Brent Peters just announced that activesync for Lotus Notes Traveler will beta in May/release late Q3 2009 during LotusUserGroup.org webcast

Finally! Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got some iPhone orders to place…