App Smart: To Improve Your Swing: Bend Your Knees and Find a Good App

I’d be less mystified if I could hold on to all the tips I get while watching golf broadcasts, but that wisdom is long gone by the time I get a club in my hand.

But now I have a smartphone in my hand, and that means I have golf apps.

Golf-related apps were among the early entrants in Apple’s App Store and the Android Market, but the software lineup has improved significantly with time.

Among my golf instruction apps, one is new this season (Tiger Woods: My Swing, $10 on Apple), one features recent upgrades (Golfplan with Paul Azinger, $1 on Apple) and one started out solid and has remained so (iSwing Golf, $3 on Android and Apple).

Unfortunately for Android-loving golfers, the newest is also the best. Tiger Woods: My Swing is the coolest and most refined swing-improvement app I’ve seen.

With My Swing, you use the video camera on the iPhone or iPad 2 to record your swing from two angles, and watch it in high definition. You can slow down the video or freeze it at different points to study your mechanics.

You need a friend (or a specially equipped tripod) to hold the device, but My Swing includes some nice touches to help capture a good swing for viewing. The viewfinder shows the outline of a golfer addressing the ball, so you need only place the video subject within those outlines.

You can also preview a swing to decide whether it’s a fair enough representation to proceed with the swing analysis. Here — in the app’s swing analysis features — is where My Swing justifies its $10 price tag.

Even though I have a good idea of what a legitimate golf swing looks like, I would struggle to break down the mechanics of my swing so that I could make meaningful adjustments.

My Swing places optional colored lines over your swing, representing the planes that Tiger Woods deems most important to a good golf stroke with each club in the bag (excluding a putter). The app also includes videos explaining in clear detail the significance of each line, and what happens when a golfer strays outside those lines.

It’s excellent instruction — insightful, but not so much information that a golfer would struggle to remember everything. You can skip the app’s other videos, which include fluff like a 20-second interview clip about Mr. Woods’s childhood baseball abilities.

Those with deeper knowledge of their own mechanics can also draw their own lines over a swing video.

If, during a swing analysis, users find flaws worth noting, like too much hip movement in the backswing, they can append text or audio notes to the swing video, which is kept in the My Swing library.

That library also exists at Golfshot.com, a free Web site maintained by Shotzoom, My Swing’s developer. The Web element brings other benefits few other apps can match.

From Golfshot, you can share your swing with friends, along with the “Tiger Lines,” or whatever lines you’ve chosen to draw on the swing. The site also includes sections where you can record details about each round you’ve played and share that with friends who also use the service.

Shotzoom’s other app for golf instruction, Paul Azinger’s Golfplan, is also quite good, if not quite as elegant as My Swing. But for $1, Golfplan offers an enormous amount of value.

The app features a deep library of instructional videos with Mr. Azinger, a P.G.A. tour veteran. But rather than leave users to browse that library randomly, Golfplan delivers those tips it believes most relevant to those with a certain handicap. (You offer this information to Golfplan when the software starts.)

Since Golfplan is also connected to Golfshot.com, it will use any statistics you’ve included on the Web site to help deliver more relevant tips.

The videos are ideal for those who have reached the driving range with no ideas of how to attack their most nagging flaws. If, for instance, you have logged in with an astronomical handicap — as, for instance, I have — the app will offer specific tips on how to avoid slicing the ball.

My one quibble is that Mr. Azinger moves too quickly at times, and without slow-motion replays or diagrams to explain some of his points, the nuances are sometimes lost.

Another flaw: the “play” button is placed remarkably close to the “upgrade to HD” button, which incurs a $5 charge. I’ll let less cynical people than me decide whether this is intentional.

Mr. Azinger recently updated the app with a series of videos for practicing at home. They’re decent, but they have a poorly lit, less polished production quality. But for $1, this shortcoming is easily forgiven.

Android users have nothing even close to this good for $1, but iSwing Golf offers some solid value for $3.

The app is actually closer to My Swing than Golfplan, in that users film themselves swinging a club and analyze the swing with slow-motion replays.

The targeting feature isn’t as good as the one on My Swing, nor can you analyze your swing with tutorials, as you would with My Swing. But you can draw lines on your video and build a library of swings, and iSwing Golf lets you compare videos side by side, in synchronized motion, which is useful for underscoring changes in your stroke.

For an added $4, you can add videos from Adam Scott, a P.G.A. tour veteran and 2011 Masters Tournament runner-up, to help understand a model swing.

Mr. Scott, by the way, finished just ahead of Tiger Woods in that tournament. In the mobile apps realm, however, Mr. Woods wins by at least a couple of strokes.

Quick Calls

Android users with young readers should consider Super Why! ($3), from PBS Kids. The app, which is based on the series of the same name, builds literacy skills through interactive stories. It is available on Amazon’s Appstore. It Happened Here ($3 on Apple and Android) points out events of historical interest, based on the user’s location. It is now available for Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco and Washington.

 

App Smart: To Improve Your Swing: Bend Your Knees and Find a Good App

I’d be less mystified if I could hold on to all the tips I get while watching golf broadcasts, but that wisdom is long gone by the time I get a club in my hand.

But now I have a smartphone in my hand, and that means I have golf apps.

Golf-related apps were among the early entrants in Apple’s App Store and the Android Market, but the software lineup has improved significantly with time.

Among my golf instruction apps, one is new this season (Tiger Woods: My Swing, $10 on Apple), one features recent upgrades (Golfplan with Paul Azinger, $1 on Apple) and one started out solid and has remained so (iSwing Golf, $3 on Android and Apple).

Unfortunately for Android-loving golfers, the newest is also the best. Tiger Woods: My Swing is the coolest and most refined swing-improvement app I’ve seen.

With My Swing, you use the video camera on the iPhone or iPad 2 to record your swing from two angles, and watch it in high definition. You can slow down the video or freeze it at different points to study your mechanics.

You need a friend (or a specially equipped tripod) to hold the device, but My Swing includes some nice touches to help capture a good swing for viewing. The viewfinder shows the outline of a golfer addressing the ball, so you need only place the video subject within those outlines.

You can also preview a swing to decide whether it’s a fair enough representation to proceed with the swing analysis. Here — in the app’s swing analysis features — is where My Swing justifies its $10 price tag.

Even though I have a good idea of what a legitimate golf swing looks like, I would struggle to break down the mechanics of my swing so that I could make meaningful adjustments.

My Swing places optional colored lines over your swing, representing the planes that Tiger Woods deems most important to a good golf stroke with each club in the bag (excluding a putter). The app also includes videos explaining in clear detail the significance of each line, and what happens when a golfer strays outside those lines.

It’s excellent instruction — insightful, but not so much information that a golfer would struggle to remember everything. You can skip the app’s other videos, which include fluff like a 20-second interview clip about Mr. Woods’s childhood baseball abilities.

Those with deeper knowledge of their own mechanics can also draw their own lines over a swing video.

If, during a swing analysis, users find flaws worth noting, like too much hip movement in the backswing, they can append text or audio notes to the swing video, which is kept in the My Swing library.

That library also exists at Golfshot.com, a free Web site maintained by Shotzoom, My Swing’s developer. The Web element brings other benefits few other apps can match.

From Golfshot, you can share your swing with friends, along with the “Tiger Lines,” or whatever lines you’ve chosen to draw on the swing. The site also includes sections where you can record details about each round you’ve played and share that with friends who also use the service.

Shotzoom’s other app for golf instruction, Paul Azinger’s Golfplan, is also quite good, if not quite as elegant as My Swing. But for $1, Golfplan offers an enormous amount of value.

The app features a deep library of instructional videos with Mr. Azinger, a P.G.A. tour veteran. But rather than leave users to browse that library randomly, Golfplan delivers those tips it believes most relevant to those with a certain handicap. (You offer this information to Golfplan when the software starts.)

Since Golfplan is also connected to Golfshot.com, it will use any statistics you’ve included on the Web site to help deliver more relevant tips.

The videos are ideal for those who have reached the driving range with no ideas of how to attack their most nagging flaws. If, for instance, you have logged in with an astronomical handicap — as, for instance, I have — the app will offer specific tips on how to avoid slicing the ball.

My one quibble is that Mr. Azinger moves too quickly at times, and without slow-motion replays or diagrams to explain some of his points, the nuances are sometimes lost.

Another flaw: the “play” button is placed remarkably close to the “upgrade to HD” button, which incurs a $5 charge. I’ll let less cynical people than me decide whether this is intentional.

Mr. Azinger recently updated the app with a series of videos for practicing at home. They’re decent, but they have a poorly lit, less polished production quality. But for $1, this shortcoming is easily forgiven.

Android users have nothing even close to this good for $1, but iSwing Golf offers some solid value for $3.

The app is actually closer to My Swing than Golfplan, in that users film themselves swinging a club and analyze the swing with slow-motion replays.

The targeting feature isn’t as good as the one on My Swing, nor can you analyze your swing with tutorials, as you would with My Swing. But you can draw lines on your video and build a library of swings, and iSwing Golf lets you compare videos side by side, in synchronized motion, which is useful for underscoring changes in your stroke.

For an added $4, you can add videos from Adam Scott, a P.G.A. tour veteran and 2011 Masters Tournament runner-up, to help understand a model swing.

Mr. Scott, by the way, finished just ahead of Tiger Woods in that tournament. In the mobile apps realm, however, Mr. Woods wins by at least a couple of strokes.

Quick Calls

Android users with young readers should consider Super Why! ($3), from PBS Kids. The app, which is based on the series of the same name, builds literacy skills through interactive stories. It is available on Amazon’s Appstore. It Happened Here ($3 on Apple and Android) points out events of historical interest, based on the user’s location. It is now available for Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco and Washington.

 

Smart investment

在 ServiceModel 客户端配置部分中，找不到引用协定“TranslatorService.LanguageService”的默认终结点元素。这可能是因为未找到应用程序的配置文件，或者是因为客户端元素中找不到与此协定匹配的终结点元素。
在 ServiceModel 客户端配置部分中，找不到引用协定“TranslatorService.LanguageService”的默认终结点元素。这可能是因为未找到应用程序的配置文件，或者是因为客户端元素中找不到与此协定匹配的终结点元素。
7 April 2011 Last updated at 19:08 ET By Michael Millar Business reporter, BBC News Small world after all: the app market could be worth $30bn by 2015 Those little green pigs don't know what is about to hit them.

Without any warning the birds rain in from above, destroying everything in their paths. But these aren't just any birds - they are Angry Birds.

The Angry Birds game (where affronted fowls fight pigs who have stolen their eggs) is one of the most successful mobile applications - or apps - in the world.

It has been downloaded over 100m times and is one piece of a global industry expected to be worth over $30bn by 2015.

Ebay claims 15m people worldwide have downloaded its iPhone app in 190 countries and in eight different languages.

Globally an item is bought through Ebay's app every two seconds.

Customer insight

An app is a piece of software that is downloaded onto a mobile device - be it a phone or tablet - which can then integrate with the gadget's features such as its camera or GPS system.

It can be updated to bring you any of the latest products, offers or features that the creator wants you to see.

Apps provide instant access, without having to type information into a search engine and can usually be accessed offline (although not updated).

The Angry Bird app has been downloaded more than 100m times

Paul Berney is managing director, EMEA, at the Mobile Marketing Association, a global trade body which promotes the use of mobile devices to develop brands.

He believes apps can offer unrivalled insight into customers' behaviour.

"An app can tell you who you are dealing with, where they are and what they are doing, and then it can let you respond to consumers' need," he says. "No other channel can do that all at once."

"For example it's perfectly possible for me to walk outside now and start an app to look for a restaurant," he says. "It will identify me, where I am, what kind of food I like that's within 500m and any offers that are on."

Professional services firm PricewaterhouseCoopers has launched a number of apps to serve its global clientele.

Continue reading the main story Start with business need - don't jump on the bandwagonLook at how mobile enhances communications already in place Don't just replicate what you have online Consider how to deliver on the expectation of instant interactionWhat happens when a two-way dialogue with consumers has been established?Decide what is most useful to the customer and base the app on thatUtility apps last longer than those based on entertainment Find a specialist app developer - they provide technical expertise and offer valuable relationships with the wider industry Just because it seems everyone has a smartphone, don't assume your target audience doesMobile websites or messaging (SMS or MMS) have far greater reach

Source: Mobile Marketing Association

"As a professional services organisation we are trying to engage with people and give them insight," says Jass Sarai, PwC UK Technology Leader.

"For example, recently when the UK's budget was announced we delivered thought and views in real time on what it meant for global markets."

"Ultimately we think clients will want to do more business with us because they value the insight we are giving on a real time basis," he says.

Such has been the success of PwC's apps, it recently launched one costing 23 euros ($33, ￡20), which offers analysis of the global entertainment and media industries, and marks the firm's first foray into paid apps.

Stringent tests

ABI Research claims almost 8bn apps were downloaded in 2010 - clearly a sign of their popularity.

But it is also betrays a marketplace where your app could disappear quicker than a green pig under attack from an angry bird.

They are expensive to create - a simple app could cost you ￡20,000 ($32,639; 22,835 euros) and take two months to create.

A complex app could have a price tag of more than ￡100,000 ($163,200; 114,180 euros) and take six months to develop (and you've got to hope nothing happens to render it obsolete in that time).

This price multiplies if you decide you want to make it available on more than one operating system.

For example, an app that will work on an iPhone won't work on a phone with the Android system, and vice-versa.

It has then got to pass stringent tests laid down by some companies, including Apple, before they will sell it - or even give it away for free - in their app stores.

Once your beleaguered app is on the shelf it is competing with about half a million others.

The process starts again every time either the operating system is updated or you want to update the software yourself.

"The first thing we say to clients who say they want an app is 'are you sure?'" says Colin McCaffrey, from mobile technology firm 2ergo, which has designed apps for companies such as insurance giant Aviva and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

Different devices need bespoke versions of apps

"If you're a brand, looking for a more involved brand experience, then often an app is the preferred choice, as this will allow you to engage customers in a more rich and interactive way," he says.

He says one example is retailers whose customers use their app as a loyalty card by having their phone scanned when they make a purchase.

"But, for example, if you're a retailer looking to open up a new sales channel via mobile then it's important for you to reach as wide an audience as possible."

"[In that case] rather than develop several apps at significant cost we would often advise brands to choose a mobile optimised web site," he says.

Feedback 'daunting'

As apps have only really been around for the last three years, you've got to learn quickly when problems arise.

Telecom price comparison website, Top10.com, discovered this when it launched an app allowing users to test the 3G connection speed on their phone.

"As soon as you release an app into the wild it's difficult to control the functionality of it," says Top10.com co-founder Harry Jones.

Continue reading the main story More than eight billion apps downloaded in 2010 50bn downloads estimated by 2012Global industry will be worth more than $30bn by 201556% of users are male, 44% femaleLargest age group is 25 to 34-year-olds, followed by 34 to 44-year-olds and 18 to 24s75% believe the apps quality makes the brand more trustworthy73% have downloaded an app with ads in it

Sources: Juniper & GetJar

"The app crashed and some people said the readings were wrong. We also had huge amount of feedback from users, which can be pretty daunting," he says.

"Businesses don't necessarily think of it like launching a new store or office but apps will bring a lot more customers and a lot more information - it's not just a bolt on."

Top10.com recently released version 1.5 of the app, which Mr Jones says has fixed almost everything, and he remains sure creating an app was the right thing to do.

"It has allowed us to engage with new customers and introduce people to our brand and we have reaffirmed our position as an innovative company," he says. "It's a beacon of where we have to go."

The future

The one thing you can be sure of is technology develops very quickly, which begs the question: will apps remain a feature of business for any meaningful time?

"We are seeing huge advancements in mobile websites and many app features you pay so dearly for, like animation, are becoming available on the mobile web", says Mr McCaffrey.

"It's difficult to say apps are a flash in the pan when Apple has had billions of downloads in three years."

Jim Hemmer, CEO , Antenna

"Apple is pushing apps hard but at the same time Google is very much pushing the mobile web - and I wouldn't bet against either Apple or Google," he says.

What seems clear is attracting and engaging customers through mobile devices in some form is going to become increasingly important.

"Every enterprise will need [a mobile offering] as a central part of their infrastructure - deployment of mobiles and tablets are outstripping desktops," says Jim Hemmer, CEO of international mobile technology designer Antenna.

"It's connected 24/7, it offers immediacy and access to data in a form and substance that you need it."

"People have a great affinity to their phone or tablet - if you can get your brand in there it can drive great results, far more effective than other forms of branding," he says.

"It's there when they go to sleep and it's there when they wake up."

So now it's just up to you to decide how you go to bed with your customers.

View the original article here

Smart investment

在 ServiceModel 客户端配置部分中，找不到引用协定“TranslatorService.LanguageService”的默认终结点元素。这可能是因为未找到应用程序的配置文件，或者是因为客户端元素中找不到与此协定匹配的终结点元素。
在 ServiceModel 客户端配置部分中，找不到引用协定“TranslatorService.LanguageService”的默认终结点元素。这可能是因为未找到应用程序的配置文件，或者是因为客户端元素中找不到与此协定匹配的终结点元素。
7 April 2011 Last updated at 19:08 ET By Michael Millar Business reporter, BBC News Small world after all: the app market could be worth $30bn by 2015 Those little green pigs don't know what is about to hit them.

Without any warning the birds rain in from above, destroying everything in their paths. But these aren't just any birds - they are Angry Birds.

The Angry Birds game (where affronted fowls fight pigs who have stolen their eggs) is one of the most successful mobile applications - or apps - in the world.

It has been downloaded over 100m times and is one piece of a global industry expected to be worth over $30bn by 2015.

Ebay claims 15m people worldwide have downloaded its iPhone app in 190 countries and in eight different languages.

Globally an item is bought through Ebay's app every two seconds.

Customer insight

An app is a piece of software that is downloaded onto a mobile device - be it a phone or tablet - which can then integrate with the gadget's features such as its camera or GPS system.

It can be updated to bring you any of the latest products, offers or features that the creator wants you to see.

Apps provide instant access, without having to type information into a search engine and can usually be accessed offline (although not updated).

The Angry Bird app has been downloaded more than 100m times

Paul Berney is managing director, EMEA, at the Mobile Marketing Association, a global trade body which promotes the use of mobile devices to develop brands.

He believes apps can offer unrivalled insight into customers' behaviour.

"An app can tell you who you are dealing with, where they are and what they are doing, and then it can let you respond to consumers' need," he says. "No other channel can do that all at once."

"For example it's perfectly possible for me to walk outside now and start an app to look for a restaurant," he says. "It will identify me, where I am, what kind of food I like that's within 500m and any offers that are on."

Professional services firm PricewaterhouseCoopers has launched a number of apps to serve its global clientele.

Continue reading the main story Start with business need - don't jump on the bandwagonLook at how mobile enhances communications already in place Don't just replicate what you have online Consider how to deliver on the expectation of instant interactionWhat happens when a two-way dialogue with consumers has been established?Decide what is most useful to the customer and base the app on thatUtility apps last longer than those based on entertainment Find a specialist app developer - they provide technical expertise and offer valuable relationships with the wider industry Just because it seems everyone has a smartphone, don't assume your target audience doesMobile websites or messaging (SMS or MMS) have far greater reach

Source: Mobile Marketing Association

"As a professional services organisation we are trying to engage with people and give them insight," says Jass Sarai, PwC UK Technology Leader.

"For example, recently when the UK's budget was announced we delivered thought and views in real time on what it meant for global markets."

"Ultimately we think clients will want to do more business with us because they value the insight we are giving on a real time basis," he says.

Such has been the success of PwC's apps, it recently launched one costing 23 euros ($33, ￡20), which offers analysis of the global entertainment and media industries, and marks the firm's first foray into paid apps.

Stringent tests

ABI Research claims almost 8bn apps were downloaded in 2010 - clearly a sign of their popularity.

But it is also betrays a marketplace where your app could disappear quicker than a green pig under attack from an angry bird.

They are expensive to create - a simple app could cost you ￡20,000 ($32,639; 22,835 euros) and take two months to create.

A complex app could have a price tag of more than ￡100,000 ($163,200; 114,180 euros) and take six months to develop (and you've got to hope nothing happens to render it obsolete in that time).

This price multiplies if you decide you want to make it available on more than one operating system.

For example, an app that will work on an iPhone won't work on a phone with the Android system, and vice-versa.

It has then got to pass stringent tests laid down by some companies, including Apple, before they will sell it - or even give it away for free - in their app stores.

Once your beleaguered app is on the shelf it is competing with about half a million others.

The process starts again every time either the operating system is updated or you want to update the software yourself.

"The first thing we say to clients who say they want an app is 'are you sure?'" says Colin McCaffrey, from mobile technology firm 2ergo, which has designed apps for companies such as insurance giant Aviva and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

Different devices need bespoke versions of apps

"If you're a brand, looking for a more involved brand experience, then often an app is the preferred choice, as this will allow you to engage customers in a more rich and interactive way," he says.

He says one example is retailers whose customers use their app as a loyalty card by having their phone scanned when they make a purchase.

"But, for example, if you're a retailer looking to open up a new sales channel via mobile then it's important for you to reach as wide an audience as possible."

"[In that case] rather than develop several apps at significant cost we would often advise brands to choose a mobile optimised web site," he says.

Feedback 'daunting'

As apps have only really been around for the last three years, you've got to learn quickly when problems arise.

Telecom price comparison website, Top10.com, discovered this when it launched an app allowing users to test the 3G connection speed on their phone.

"As soon as you release an app into the wild it's difficult to control the functionality of it," says Top10.com co-founder Harry Jones.

Continue reading the main story More than eight billion apps downloaded in 2010 50bn downloads estimated by 2012Global industry will be worth more than $30bn by 201556% of users are male, 44% femaleLargest age group is 25 to 34-year-olds, followed by 34 to 44-year-olds and 18 to 24s75% believe the apps quality makes the brand more trustworthy73% have downloaded an app with ads in it

Sources: Juniper & GetJar

"The app crashed and some people said the readings were wrong. We also had huge amount of feedback from users, which can be pretty daunting," he says.

"Businesses don't necessarily think of it like launching a new store or office but apps will bring a lot more customers and a lot more information - it's not just a bolt on."

Top10.com recently released version 1.5 of the app, which Mr Jones says has fixed almost everything, and he remains sure creating an app was the right thing to do.

"It has allowed us to engage with new customers and introduce people to our brand and we have reaffirmed our position as an innovative company," he says. "It's a beacon of where we have to go."

The future

The one thing you can be sure of is technology develops very quickly, which begs the question: will apps remain a feature of business for any meaningful time?

"We are seeing huge advancements in mobile websites and many app features you pay so dearly for, like animation, are becoming available on the mobile web", says Mr McCaffrey.

"It's difficult to say apps are a flash in the pan when Apple has had billions of downloads in three years."

Jim Hemmer, CEO , Antenna

"Apple is pushing apps hard but at the same time Google is very much pushing the mobile web - and I wouldn't bet against either Apple or Google," he says.

What seems clear is attracting and engaging customers through mobile devices in some form is going to become increasingly important.

"Every enterprise will need [a mobile offering] as a central part of their infrastructure - deployment of mobiles and tablets are outstripping desktops," says Jim Hemmer, CEO of international mobile technology designer Antenna.

"It's connected 24/7, it offers immediacy and access to data in a form and substance that you need it."

"People have a great affinity to their phone or tablet - if you can get your brand in there it can drive great results, far more effective than other forms of branding," he says.

"It's there when they go to sleep and it's there when they wake up."

So now it's just up to you to decide how you go to bed with your customers.

View the original article here