In March 2005, Judge Robert Restaino jailed 46 people when a mobile phone rang in his New York courtroom and no one would admit responsibility.  So a company called Two Forty Four a.m. created Locale. Problem solved.  But not for us; you see the Locale App is for Android only.  And this has introduced a totally new and uncomfortable sensation for  iPhone users: App Envy.

I am disappointed that this little app is not available for the iPhone, but I believe it will prove to be good for us over time by introducing some real competition.  The app itself is amazingly simple in concept: create “situations” based on the Android phone profiles (ringers, volume, wallpaper, WiFi settings, etc.) that are activated based on your location via the built-in GPS.  So, as you roam about your day moving from place to place, your phone will automatically set the correct profile.  No need to turn off your ringer in church, go ahead turn on and grab the free WiFi at your favorite lunch stop, and can even turn-off WiFi or other power drains during low-battery times.  Very imaginative.  Very iPhone like.  I’m not even going to mention the SDK from the author which will take this little App to even greater heights.

Why is this app not available for the iPhone? Simple: No profiles.  As this App gains in popularity, some one might be able to pull together some of the features and make a similar app; but without native profiles built-in, I doubt it would be possible to replicate the effectiveness.  Please note that RIM has used sound profiles for years on the Blackberry; so this concept is hardly new and one the Apple should have included in the original version.

Locale is not a “Killer App” which will drive iPhone users to Android; but it is a great reminder that Apple/iPhone industry has not totally cornered the market on innovation.  And lets hope a little competition will push the iPhone industry to stay on the leading edge.  And congratulations to the folks at Two Forty Four a.m. for a truly remarkable app.

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