PodCamp Toronto 2010

Smart phones and tech events like PodCamp Toronto go hand in hand (pun unintended). Mobile apps make it easy for smart phones to help everyone share and stay updated on everything from impromptu sessions to lunchtime meet ups. Note taking, mapping, sharing photos, videos and audio during the event is a cinch. And they are also a great ice breaker when meeting new people!

Below is my list of iPhone apps (since I use an iPhone) which come in handy for me at tech events. I invite you to add your mobile app recommendations in the comments below— both iPhone and non-iPhones are welcome!

Around Me
Free. It’s lunch time, you’re looking for a place to eat but you don’t know the area very well and you don’t have anyone’s phone number. Around Me taps into Google Maps and the Yellow Pages to show what’s around your current location based on what you’re looking for (restaurants, bank machines, parking lots). Results are listed in order of distance from you and clicking contender takes you to it’s location on a Google map. Results also include dialable phone numbers.

Urbanspoon
Free. Can’t decide where to eat and don’t have a coin to flip? Enter your location, type of food you’re hankering for, and price range. Give your iPhone a shake and UrbanSpoon gives you a random restaurant. You can also browser restaurant reviews and a feature to invite friends.

iTalk Recorder
Free. The opportunity for a spontaneous interview always pops up when you least expect it and when your recording gear is at home. Good thing the iTunes store has tonnes of recording apps! I personally use iTalk Recorder. Just click on the large, red record button. Press it again when you want to pause. Click ‘done’ when you’re, well, done recording. Give your recording a name and upload to your computer via your wireless router. There are 3 quality settings (good, better and best) and although the iPhone mic is mono, audio quality isn’t bad at all. Be sure not to speak too close to the mic or you will clip the audio. An ad-free $1.99 version of the app also exists.

AudioBoo, TweetMic and FaceMic
If you’re like me who enjoys as-it-happens podcasting, sign up for a free AudioBoo account on their website and record and upload using this free app. Ditto with $1.99 TweetMic Pro (a free version exists) and 99 cent FaceMic which record and upload directly to Twitter and Facebook respectively.

Flickr
Free. Lots of photos are taken at PodCamp Toronto and uploaded to Flickr (with a creative commons licencse allowing others to use and share). If you plan on taking photos with your iPhone, well, this app is self-explanatory.

Use $2.99 Perfectly Clear to *cough*  improve the photos the iPhone camera takes. If you’re into filters, $1.99 Camera Bag offers some fantastic ones like cinema and my favourite, 1962 (it really does make your photo look like it’s from 1962!).

99 cent Night Camera is a great app for taking photos in low-light conditions as you party it up Saturday night with your fellow PodCamp Toronto attendees. Hold the camera steady for 3 seconds and it automatically takes a photo.

Twitter apps
Twitter is pretty much THE communication channel among PodCamp Toronto attendees.  From participating in back channel chats, to finding out where everyone is having lunch or dinner. There must be thousands of Twitter apps in the iTunes store and the ideal app is really based on your preferences. The ones I use are $2.99 Tweetie 2 (though it currently has caching issues) and $1.99 Reportage (scan your Twitter stream like an analogue radio!).

You will notice I haven’t mentioned video. That’s because I don’t have the iPhone 3GS model. However, this is where YOU chime in! Which apps would you recommend for your fellow PodCamp Toronto attendees? As I mentioned earlier, this list isn’t exclusive to the iPhone so be sure to mention which smartphone you’re referring to.