Kyle Haskins

WTD: iOS 6 Commuting App

Wed, 26 Sep 2012 20:05:00 -0400

With all the criticism around iOS 6 maps, and specifically the outsourcing of transit data to routing apps, I think there is an opportunity to innovate on transit in iOS. While the iOS Google Maps app was great for navigating locations that you aren’t that familiar - what if there was more attention paid to the transit that you use on a regular basis in your daily commute? Here’s a quick sketch:

For example, I always take the same bus, train, or ferry everyday. There may be an occasional day when I stay late at work and take a specific bus to get home. I want quick access to those same bus lines without having to go lookup a timetable.

I’m envisioning the new Passbook experience repurposed for transit. You save common routes, busses, or even combinations - the app loads up and checks your location and shows you the relevant ones. It won’t show you the bus that you take to get to work, because it knows you are at work. It then tells you the bus number, time until departure, and where you need to go to grab it. Travelbook?

StoryAmp gets a write-up in Billboard magazine and features the...

Mon, 23 Apr 2012 17:18:58 -0400

StoryAmp gets a write-up in Billboard magazine and features the radio player I designed.

I’m very happy to add the Cause.It mobile app to my...

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 15:47:46 -0400

I’m very happy to add the Cause.It mobile app to my portfolio and support the launch of the product. The app uses the Groupon model for good — listing volunteer activities and local offers that benefit charities. They are rolling out initially in Indianapolis and Austin as a launch board to other cities. The app is available now in the iTunes app store and you can read more on the Cause.it web site.

Downcast Manages Podcasts Perfectly on iOS

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 13:32:00 -0500

Downcast for iPhone & iPad makes consuming podcasts easy and manageable. Search, subscribe, and let Downcast automatically download new episodes, download selectively, or stream them. It keeps track of where you left of on an episode regardless of whether it’s downloaded or streamed.

Apple is partially responsible for making podcasting a success by including them in the iTunes store and building podcast syncing into iTunes. The features in iTunes for iOS for podcasting are currently stripped down. In iOS 5 audio and video podcasts are split between two apps. These apps only hold your podcasts and don’t tell you if there are new episodes. Then you have to switch between apps twice to download and play a new episode.

Apple is likely prioritizing development on iTunes for paying content, as they should, and I’m grateful for their support of podcasting. Downcast solves these issues with a highly customizable podcast app.

Push Notifications Are Going To Be Hot, Again

Fri, 02 Sep 2011 18:13:42 -0400

The release of iOS 5 will bring attention back to push notifications by giving a place to consume them on both the lock screen and the pull down notification center. As I’ve used iOS 5 over the course of 3 months I’ve built a new appreciation for utilizing push notifications and I’m more likely to turn them on for more apps.

With the changes coming in iOS 5 I predict that we’ll see more people getting comfortable with app notifications and more apps starting to offer them.

Impromptu Gathering: A Concept for a Pre-Check In Option

Mon, 29 Aug 2011 15:04:31 -0400

After using location based check-in services I have wondered why there isn’t a simple method to get people together before you arrive to a location. I want a method to invite friends to get together for a drink today after work, go bowling, or go for a hike tomorrow afternoon. This type of activity is not an event — it’s an impromptu gathering and it’s much more casual. I think it would be perfect for Facebook and here’s a concept for how it would work:

Create a new gathering from the News Feed.
Set the location, date, time, and tag anyone that you want to be notified. You are limited to creating gatherings within the next two days.
When you post the gathering anyone tagged will see it in their News Feed and get a notification according to their settings.
There is no need to respond to the gathering to say you are attending. You can comment on the gathering and everyone else that is tagged can read other comments.
Show up and have a drink!

Here is a red Growl style that I created specificially to use...

Wed, 13 Jul 2011 15:55:00 -0400

Here is a red Growl style that I created specificially to use with the Propane Campfire application. This is an edit of the MobileMe style by Drew Smith. I give all the credit to Drew for the animation and concept, I just came up with the red tones in the border and gradient.

I use Drew’s blue MobileMe style for all notifications besides Campfire set to the top right, and then use this red style in the top left to separate out Campfire conversations.

Download Red Growl Style

Wunderlist & CalendarBar are two great applications to stay...

Thu, 12 May 2011 17:13:00 -0400

Wunderlist & CalendarBar are two great applications to stay organized. CalendarBar is a Mac OS X menubar app ($1.99) that gives you a quick look at one or more Google Calendars. Since we all use Google Calendar in the office I’m able to take a quick look at my own schedule and also stay aware of what’s going on with my team members.

Wunderlist is a great to do list app with reminders, sharing, is free, and syncs across Mac, Windows, iPhone, iPad, and Android.

Rapportive Reveals Information About Your Contacts

Thu, 12 May 2011 16:55:00 -0400

Here’s my super-secret weapon. Don’t tell anyone, but please RT and Reblog this post. Rapportive is a Gmail add-on that displays information about your contacts and anyone sending you an Email. It’s like a social media assistant that internet stalks people for you. Seriously awesome and useful.

Three intriguing startups pitched last night at Verge Indy. A...

Fri, 29 Apr 2011 10:04:01 -0400

Three intriguing startups pitched last night at Verge Indy. A safer topic-focused ChatRoulette called Grab a Chat, a Dropbox based video encoding and delivery service called BigBlueWagon, and a web app for athletic officials called The Tyros.

Lexus Interactive iPad Ad The second page of the May 2011 iPad...

Fri, 22 Apr 2011 14:13:00 -0400

Lexus Interactive iPad Ad

The second page of the May 2011 iPad issue of Wired Magazine stands out as you attempt to turn the page. It looks like a standard ad you might see in the print edition, but as you attempt to swipe to turn the page this magnifying glass pops up and grabs your attention.

The ad challenges you to find all the Lexus Hybrids in the landscape. I have no interest in a Lexus Hybrid, but of course I went ahead and found them all as if I’d win the game. At the bottom of the ad it shows you how many you’ve found - enticing you to find them all. This ad is a great example of the convergence of print and interactive. I’m looking forward to some fun mini-games in iPad advertising.

Sparrow is a mail client for OS X 10.5 that contains some of the...

Fri, 22 Apr 2011 14:01:00 -0400

Sparrow is a mail client for OS X 10.5 that contains some of the best features of Gmail but with a great UI. Sparrow’s highlights are threaded conversations, Gmail labels, quick reply, and Growl notifications. Sparrow looks a lot like the iPad’s mail app and Mail 5 to be released in Mac OS X Lion. Be sure to check out Sparrow Tips to see everything in action.

"It takes real guts to look a market leader square in the eyes and say “you’re going down.” That is..."

Wed, 16 Feb 2011 11:29:27 -0500

“It takes real guts to look a market leader square in the eyes and say “you’re going down.” That is exactly what newly launched Mid-Western startup MyJibe is doing.”

- Scrappy startup MyJibe is taking on Mint for the personal finance crown

Bomb Shelter Office

Fri, 17 Dec 2010 13:53:00 -0500

Bomb Shelter Office

First Diet Coke Mentos Attempt

Thu, 07 Oct 2010 00:00:00 -0400

First Diet Coke Mentos Attempt

An Adium message style based on the chat design in Squad....

Thu, 19 Aug 2010 00:00:00 -0400

An Adium message style based on the chat design in Squad. Download this message style here.

A quick mock-up of my ideal twitter client. It’s a...

Wed, 23 Jun 2010 00:00:00 -0400

A quick mock-up of my ideal twitter client. It’s a windowless HUD that could stick to the desktop and/or float above other applications. You could scroll tweets using your scroll wheel or by dragging the scrollbar. When you hover on a tweet you can favorite, reply, or retweet. You can post a new tweet by clicking the chat icon at the bottom.

Vintage Star Trek Desktop Wallpaper

Sat, 05 Dec 2009 16:50:36 -0500

Vintage Star Trek Desktop Wallpaper

Planet of Death! - 1975 Star Trek Comic

Sat, 05 Dec 2009 16:40:00 -0500

Planet of Death! - 1975 Star Trek Comic

Miniature People! - 1974 Star Trek Comic

Sat, 05 Dec 2009 16:29:00 -0500

Miniature People! - 1974 Star Trek Comic