Appiphilia: reviews of iPhone applications that make fake calls, inventory your closet, navigate L.A. and record voice*

Updated at 1:58 p.m. with a more detailed explanation of the iTalk application's color system.

Those of us with appiphilia -- an irresistible urge to download iPhone applications -- need some help sorting through what's worthwhile in Apple's App Store. Because iPhone apps seem to multiply with every click, we're starting this new weekly series, Appiphilia, to highlight and review a few that catch our fancy. We'll tell you which are the must-haves or the must-be-kiddings or those that fall somewhere in between.

In this first installment, we're looking at four apps that help with getting dressed, getting around, getting out of a sticky situation and getting it on the record.

SATC Carrie's Closet (free)

What it is: This is one of the few apps pegged to a movie  -- in this case a DVD debut. (The Dark Knight app launched when the newest Batman film hit theaters and let you adorn photos in true Joker style.) Carrie's Closet launched shortly after the recent release of the girls' guilty pleasure "Sex and the City" in take-home version. 

What sizzles: First of all, the ability to photograph, categorize and catalog what's in your closet. Are you kidding me? That's a dream. It's a bit like what Cher had in "Clueless," except in your hand. I added all of my shoes, purses and glasses. The ability to send that list of potential outfits to friends before a big date makes getting feedback from numerous trusted fashion sources a bit more civilized. Of course, it's wrapped inside a promotion for the movie. But most of us have learned to look beyond product placements.

You do need good lighting to snap photos of the items that are of much use. Remember, you're doing it with your iPhone camera. (My snapshots looked a bit fuzzy and the color was a tad drab.)

What fizzles: I get that this is a marketing tool that happens to do something for users. But really, the theme music that blasted every time I launched the app initially is not cute. (You can turn it off by going into the Settings for your iPhone and finding the app. But that shuts off all music, including the music clips from the movie that come with the app.) Man, was that annoying. Every time I opened the closet, I was outed as tapping something not related to work and specifically something "Sex and the City" related. Again, maybe great in theory for marketing purposes, but, free or not, it could ...

... cause a person to delete the app just to get the music to stop.

Bottom line: Ultimately, was it promotion dressed up in an app, or an app adorned with a bit of promotion? Depends on what mirror you're looking in. For me, it was more the latter. Either way, the designers should consider fashioning it with more flexibility and user control.

ITrans LA Metrolink ($4.99)

What it is: This app gives you details on the Metrolink train schedules throughout Southern California. (For Angelenos, ITrans offers one for the same price for Metro Rail as well. And for our visitors outside of the city limits, there are similar apps for New York City, New Jersey and Chicago.)

Sure, you have an iPhone, so obviously you can access the Metrolink website and get schedules. But have you tried it? It's a bit clumsy. I've never been able to scroll through easily. This app is better.

What sizzles: Using the internal GPS (on the iPhone 3G), the app locates the nearest Metrolink station. Tapping on that station brings up schedules of lines that pass through that station.   

And if you fall asleep during your ride home, you can tap the bottom left icon to determine where you are and whether you've missed your stop!

What fizzles: The description says the app will give you "step-by-step directions between any two L.A. Metrolink stations." But that screen displayed above, which I snagged from iTunes, never showed up on my iPhone. Unfortunately, every destination I chose over a couple of days produced no directions and a message: "Unable to route. Try a different destination or try again later." That train has yet to make it into the station.

And I'm a bit skeptical about the advisories. When I tapped the bottom right, Metrolink advisories were supposed to be available. The last update listed was from Sept. 24. It read: "Trains are operating on or close schedule." Lots of people experiencing significant delays on the Orange County line today wish that were the case.

Bottom line: The trip-planning functionality needs to be fixed and the advisories updated to really be more than a train schedule in your hand. And if the developers add the ability to search Amtrak schedules, then you've really got a deal.

Fake Calls (99 cents )

What it is: Get caught on the worst date ever? Or just want to have a reason to duck out of a meeting or end a pointless conversation? This app can help with a bit of a fake out.

You tap the app, triggering "Fakecall mode." Within seconds, the phone's call screen appears, the phone rings and the buttons to accept and decline calls surface. And voila, with an, "I'm sorry, I've got to take this call," you're free.

What sizzles: It's really believable. The look and the sound. You can set the photo screen that pops up to mimic how calls appear on your phone. And yeah, it actually took me a few tries to figure out that no one was really calling me.

What fizzles: There should be an easier trigger. With a touch screen, you really have to look at the screen to make sure you're touching the right virtual button -- especially if you have pages of apps. It's not all that slick to page through to get to it and then have the phone ring REALLY RING, LIKE SOMEONE CALLING YOU. So you'd be best served having your fake out be premeditated.

Bottom line: It's a better idea than faking an allergic reaction during a dinner date gone wrong.

iTalk Recorder (free)

What is it: This app turns your phone into a digital recorder. Mac users, you can transfer the audio from your iPhone to a computer after downloading an additional application for your computer. (Griffin says the Windows XP/Vista version is coming soon.) Audio is saved as an AIFF file. To transfer, both applications must be active, and you need a Wi-Fi connection.

What sizzles: The interface is simple and intuitive. You name the file, decide what quality you want and start recording. You can also add text notes to the recording and adjust the order in which the recordings are listed.

The audio quality is pretty darn good considering the microphone you're using is a phone mic. Also, you can record using your stereo mic on iPhone-friendly headphones.

Another plus: You don't have to worry about violating anyone's privacy -- it won't let you record phone calls in progress.

What fizzles: It won't let you record phone calls in progress.

The color scheme is off. Typically, green means go and red means stop. You'll notice in the screen shot  that you press red to start recording. Once rolling, the big circle turns green -- that's what you touch to stop. Yes, the words on the screen guide you, but that's just too confusing. Don't make me read while I'm recording. [UPDATE: I posted this in the comments below, but it's worth repeating: I understand that red is the color for "record" on just about every recording device out there. I know from my years as a multimedia producer that when you record, the lights generally glow red, not green. But my point was that I found it strange that when you're recording with iTalk, a green orb appears on the screen. To me, a red orb would have seemed a more logical way to illustrate that the app is recording.]

Bottom line: Confusing color issues aside, this is one of the best free apps I've downloaded. All we need now is an attachable mic. Hmmmm ...

Do you have these apps? Share what you think of them in the comments below.

-- Michelle Maltais

Maltais is editorial broadcast manager for the Los Angeles Times.

Photos: Screen shots from SATC Carrie's Closet, ITrans LA Metrolink, Fake Calls and iTalk Recorder

Comments

[Susan]

>] Get caught on the worst date ever? Or just want to have a reason to
>] duck out of a meeting or end a pointless conversation? This app can
>] help with a bit of a fake out.

Or ... you could stop being dishonest and just tell someone that you have to leave. And give (or don't give) them the reason.

Duh.

[Another Anon]

Press the Home button and the lock button at the same time and the iPhone will take a picture (screen grab) of what's on the screen at that time. The image is saved to your Photo Roll.

If you're going to blog about iPhone apps, you'll want to be able to take your own pictures and not rely on screen shots provided by the app developers.

[Kevin Neill]

In regards to the iTalk recorder. Those are standard recording colours, just take a moment to look at any of your old vcr's or pvr if you have one now, red is the colour that is associated with the record button...Green is associated with play. Usually you have to arm a machine in record mode and then press play to start the recording. Since this is a one button operation, it turns green when the recording is in progress. It's standard.

[Michelle Maltais]

Thanks for the comment, Another Anon.

Actually, I usually use my own screenshots from my iPhone. (An earlier post, http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/technology/2008/11/iphone-games.html, revealed that I had 400 messages in my inbox.) I wanted with the Metrolink review to show what it claims to offer, though I could not get that functionality to work in my tests.

Thanks for your input!

[rootlesscosmo]

I have iTalk Recorder and have used it to record short piano pieces; after converting these to mp3 files they're small enough to email. I like the app but a couple of files (recorded at Best setting) have mysterious loud buzzes that last about one second. These don't occur at volume spikes; one of Griffin's tech people says he's never heard this before and can't reproduce it. Could it be an artefact of my iPhone? Anyway, it's the only flaw I've found with the app, but it's not a minor one.

[Ingrid Blanco]

I am so glad to see this column. It is nice to see someone writing about all these awesome applications. I found one app for designers quite useful and thought you might look at it. Color Expert! I was redecorating and painting my house and ran across this app on someones press release. I have found this app to have saved my color views on many occasions. Now I do not have to have my designers scrambling. One of my designers purchased the app based on the fact that I had it and he thought it would come in handy with his other clients. (AND IT DID...lol)

Just a users opinion!!! Thank for the column!

[really anon]

uh, oh not a good way to start a column and build trust. if metrolink didnt work for you, how could you write about it?

[Alex Kac]

iTalk is OK - but you got to try Note2Self. Now THATs a voice recorder. It even is on the top 100 apps for the iPhone by iLounge.

[mike sanders]

phew thought I was going to read an entire article without the dreaded awesome but no there it was, when are people going to stop using this ridiculous word.

[Steve Simonsen]

As for the iTalk recorder, the colors are spot on Red means record in any recording application Green means play or audio.

Steve

[iTalk]

If you new anything about media recording (or even looked at your VCR) you would know that the recored button is always red.

[Stockpig]

Like the concept of the column.
I'm looking for an easy to use Personal Medical History Mac software app that doesn't cost $50, like the one on the app store.
Thanx

[Adrian]

I love Motion Alarm!

Sounds a customizable alarm when anybody touches or moves my iPhone.

[Harold]

"he color scheme is off. Typically, green means go and red means stop. You'll notice in the screen shot that you press red to start recording. Once rolling, the big circle turns green -- that's what you touch to stop. Yes, the words on the screen guide you, but that's just too confusing. Don't make me read while I'm recording."

The color scheme is correct. The color refers to the state of the recorder. Red when it is stopped and green when it is recording. You push the button to change the state. In fact, the record button on any type of recording device is always red!

[Michelle Maltais]

So, responding to all of you commenters discussing my criticism of the color of the iTalk app on-screen record button: You guys are totally right. Red is the color for "record" on just about every recording device out there. I know from my years as a multimedia producer that when you record, the lights generally glow red, not green.

But my point, which apparently made more sense in my head than it did in my review, was this: I found it strange that when you're recording with iTalk, a green orb appears on the screen. To me, a red orb would have seemed a more logical way to illustrate that the app is recording.

Michelle Maltais

[Beatus Mongous]

Maybe instead of changing the color, they should change the shape of the icon to a square, like the STOP button...

[Katsmith72]

I love that there's someone out there that's reviewing apps, but they should either give a direct link to the ones specifically mentioned in the article or at least tell you where to find them. You cannot find Carrie's Closet anywhere on the app store.

[katsmith72]

I love that there's someone who's going to review some of the millions of apps out there, but for a recent posting, how about making sure that the apps you're reviewing are still available? Carrie's Closet does not appear anywhere in the app store. If there is somewhere else to find it, please let us know in your next column.

[glen engelmann]

to katsmith72

are you sure that you are looking in the "itunes store" and not at apple's regular online store (where you can buy computers and ipods and such)?

because i just went to the "itunes store" and typed "carries closet" and carrie's closet" and even just "closet" in the search box and the app came up in the search results under applications.

by the way, the full name for the app is "sex and the city: carries' closet". good luck finding it.

[Winston Steele]

@ katsmith72 and Glen Engelmann

Not all apps, oddly enough, are available in all countries. A quick browse through the Canadian store did not reveal a SATC: Carrie's Closet app.

PS. Love the term Appiphilia. It's a sadly appropriate handle for me.

:-)

[Eugene THOMPSON]

Maybe the color changing is just not a big deal

[josue]

it seems to be cool and really want to try it

[fishy]

rootlesscosmo
if this buzzing sound is during playback are you doing so through a sound system? if so the iphone wireless connectivity, internet 3g edge etc. cause interference this causes a buzzing maybe it has something to do with the intensity of the microphone's capabilitys when using trhe best option. it may be that its picking up the minute interfierence the device is causing itself .

[Wayne Henderson]

I love the iTalk App. I even use it to record bits for my Tuning In With Wayne Hendersonn podcast, as well as recording feedback for others' podcasts! Love my iPhone!

"Hi, my name is Wayne Henderson, and I have Appiphilia."