Android App Review Source:

How did you get into developing apps?

ShSh software:

About 10 years ago I bought my first handheld – a Handspring Visor (Palm OS), and started writing an application for it – it was a small utility I felt I needed, that evolved and evolved, until it became TAKEphONE – my flagship product. When I was laid off during the first “hi-tec bubble burst”, I decided to make this hobby into my living, and started to take freelance projects developing apps for the Palm OS platform. I also started selling TAKEphONE, that by then evolved into a serious product, and added more apps to my portfolio – 2day, 4cast, CallCards etc. ().

Android App Review Source:

What was your inspiration for developing this app?

ShSh software:

As I was using the old Visor, ans was looking for some idea for an application to write, I noticed that every now and then when someone gave me their phone number, I needed a fast way to enter the phone number into my contacts database. I tried an app called “Take notes” or something like that, but thought entring the number using Graffiti or the tiny soft keyboard was too slow. So I create a small utility to capture a phone number using large on screen 12 button keypad. It was called TAKEphONE (a variation on “Take notes”). Then I added a T9 like search of the contacts database, and starting calls in my cellular using IrDA. Then came the first Palm OS smartphone – the i330 from Samsung, then the Treo, and the rest is history – TAKEphONE becase a big success among Palm OS users (many even stated lately TAKEphONE is the only reason they won’t give up their Treo device !)

Android App Review Source:

How long did it take to develop the app?

ShSh software:

Well – the Palm OS version of TAKEphONE took me years – it kept evolving as more sophisticated phones arrived, plus I was very involved in many Palm OS user forums, and discussing TAKEphONE with many users got great ideas and inputs, that helped make TAKEphONE even better. Now – about porting TAKEphONE to the Android OS – that went surprisingly fast. Considering I already had the product pretty much defined, it took me about a month to have the first prototype, and now I am about to release the second major version – with many improved features.

Android App Review Source:

Are there any hidden features to the app?

ShSh software:

Well – I tried to make most of the great features exposed to the users right from the screens they see, so let me just recap them:
- “i-Bar” adds a “dial by photo” strip right from the main screen.
- “Last call” line adds capability to redial/callback your last call right from the main screen.
- You can tap & HOLD on any of the 1-9 large buttons right from the main screen to call
the matching speed-dial entry.
- In call log – you can select a specific date to show calls for (from the menu), or
you can filter the call log based on text/number (from the menu).
- You can show calls history for a specific contact.
- You can schedule calls to contacts in your calendar.
- In general – tap & HOLD any item for optional more features.

Android App Review Source:

Do you have any future plans for this app?

ShSh software:

Sure – to mention a few:
- I will be developing an app/library enabling sending of contacts from within
aTAKEphONE as vCards using SMS/MMS or email (i.e. you find a contact,
tap & HOLD it, then select to send its details via SMS to another cell, or via email).
- In the upcoming next version, I am adding more graphic themes (for even better looks),
and I believe I may add skinning.
- In the upcoming version, I am adding an internal “contact details” screen, allowing
better and faster access to all the contact phone fields (or email, or IM), and more
actions, such as scheduling calls, sending as vCard, viewing in Google maps, etc.
- In the upcoming version, I am adding the option to sort the contact search results
by frequency of calls (meaning contacts whom you’ve talked with more will be
displayed first) – as I am trying this nect version right now I must say this is
a HUGE improvment of usability.
- I will be adding later on the calling card mechanism of TAKEphONE – allowing
automatic use of call cards from within the app – no need to remember and
manually dial access numbers, PIN codes, etc. No need to alter contact
phone fields to use call cards when abroad.

Of course – it’s been my policy that all upgrades are free for existing users.

Android App Review Source:

Do you plan to develop any new apps? If so when can we expect to see them in the Market?

ShSh software:

Oh for sure – many many ideas waiting till I have the time:

- aVcards: utility to send contacts (and your own business card) via SMS/email
to others.
- 2day – the Android version of my Palm OS 2day app – a “today” screen type of
app, but with enhanced usability.
- Maybe 4cast – again – a more usable weather app.

More and more… Of course – all will be on the Market.

To visit the official aTAKEpHONE app website here: .

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