NZiDev - Interesting developments

The first NZiDev conference was held in Christchurch for iOS developers. Photo / Apple Inc

Last week saw New Zealand's first barcamp-style conference tailored exclusively for iOS developers. This format is a dynamic schedule of events that morphs over the course of the conference as attendees add and participate. This can lead to considerable cross pollination of ideas - it's positive for all.

NZiDev conference ran over Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th December in Christchurch, hosted by Jade Corporation.

Nat Torkington facilitated it - the developers gathered in the morning to work out a day schedule, and then they were into it, watching presentations, showing each others' work and covering topics like user experience, design, developing games for iOS and marketing.

I was unable to go, which was most unfortunate, but I monitored some feedback as the conference ran via Twitter, and 'positive' seems to be the operative word.

The iPhone New Zealand site posted some pictures.

Sam Jarman, who attended, posted his thoughts on his 'devietech' blog.

All in all, it looks like Jade did a really good thing here, helping foster this thriving NZ industry.

So, how do we get them to run one in Auckland?

Meanwhile, in other NZ app news, real estate apps seem to be the flavour of the month. I'm not sure whether this is because it's harder to sell houses right now so more effort must be made, or it's because agents still have more money to spend on stuff like this.

I actually suspect a third reason - many real estate agents appreciate good technology and want to be part of the iOS revolution.

Realestate, by Realestate.co.nz Ltd, has an app in the App Store for free.

It's pretty nifty if you're looking for a place you have a fascination with property. Or, let's face it, you're just nosey.

It's pretty cool, and uses your location to show what's for sale near you. You can cruise to a preferred suburb anywhere in New Zealand and check out what's on offer on your iDevice, as longs as it's connected to the cell net or web, of course.

You can tailor your searches - number of bathrooms, off-street parking etc. An associated estate agent can be emailed direct, you can store your favourites and it has an Open Home Inspection Checklist.

Harcourts, meanwhile, has deployed an iPad app for its agents. It's not in the App Store - as part of the new Apple Enterprise Licensing Programme, it allows Harcourts to host and distribute the app from Harcourts' servers to staff members.

The new application, called eCampaign, has been designed to benefit Harcourts' sales consultants and their clients, enabling the Harcourts' team to use iPads for key activities including reviewing current and recently sold comparable properties with clients, putting together personalised marketing campaigns with them and showing relevant videos.

They can automatically synchronise photos, property details and maps from the company's internal technology system 'Harcourts One'.

The application also enables Harcourts' sales consultants to use iPads to show clients comparable properties for sale in the same area, using Google Maps functionality, and to look at recent comparable sales.

It has an all-important commission calculator and even allows Sales Consultants to easily access relevant videos from YouTube to show to their clients.

Presumably not cat-paddling videos. (Don't ask.)

This follows Harcourts Mobile Agent app for iPhone and iPad, which is a freebie. HMA provides a specially tailored solution for anyone with an iPhone or iPad to view Harcourts' property listings in Australia and New Zealand, or to search for a member of the Harcourts' Australasian team.

Harcourts has had the Mobile Agent for its sales consultants to use on PDAs, but until now nothing had been created specifically for iPhones or the new iPads (it's a universal app). And with this one, clients can use it too.

But the app has added functionality for sales consultants to allow them to access their contacts, daily tasks and recent property sales while out in the field.

Talking about business apps, FileMaker, Inc has announced FileMaker Go training is now available in the updated FileMaker Technical Resource Kit.

The free downloadable kit's four self-paced training modules includes the new FileMaker Go module, which teaches users how to quickly optimise and deploy FileMaker Pro databases on iPad and iPhone.

It also provides recommendations for using calculations and scripts in FileMaker Go, and covers passing data between FileMaker Go and other mobile applications.

This is an added fillip to the knowledge that Go could be quite a cool development platform in its own right, if Apple I mean FileMaker changed it's licensing.

The ramifications are fascinating.

Anyway, just to add to the Christmas cheer, you can get a free demo version of FileMaker 11 at the same time, plus the other three FileMaker focussed training modules, of course. You just have to register on the site for a download link.

Finally, a bit of retro fun. Sort of retro-futurist fun, really - I'm sure those World War One flying aces never imagined accurate simulations of their antics running on handheld computers, but the Christchurch-based father-and-son team 'PAL' has created a pretty awesome looking iPhone/iPad game called Combat Skies. It comes with the choice of two planes to fly, and there are six types of enemy fighters.

I have already become extremely adept at flying a Sopwith Camel straight into the ground. I'm sure my grandfather, who was in the British Royal Flying Corp in WWI, would not be amused, but I'm sure most people are better at its subtle tilt-interface.

It looks gorgeous and sounds good, too - but it did remind me of something I thought of when I was a lad: why on earth would the British ever call a plane a 'Camel'?

Of course, you could counter that the Germans were flying Fokkers, but at least that sounds a little dynamic.

The duo posted a demo video on YouTube.

Combat Skies is free, but you can buy additional levels in-app. One is already available for US$2, with others under development.

Another successful New Zealand-developed game is Nutty Bugs HD, which broke into the NZ App store Top 100 just days after launch. It costs $1.29 - this is currently half price.

Meanwhile, the iTunes Store has posted its top apps, games, films, songs and podcasts in time for gift ideas.

It's called 2010 Rewind.

Have a good season. y'all. As always, I am very interested in anything going on here in the development sphere.

Do tell. I like to broadcast your achievements, it makes me feel proud.

- Mark Webster mac-nz.com