The BlooSee iPhone app is available!
On our last update we told you more cool things were being prepared. Well, we can announce now that the BlooSee iPhone app is already available on the appstore! Follow this link to get it for free:
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/bloosee/id369962991?mt=8
On this 1.0 version you have the ability to see the same up-to-date infopoints that are on the website, all over the world. A button will center the map at your exact location, provided by the device built-in GPS.
You can filter what layers of infopoints you want to display, and whether the results are to be shown on the map or as a list. Then you can get a detail view of each infopoint to access the full description and the related photos. You can mark the places that you’ve been to and those that you like, directly from the application, and the results will be synced to the website.
Of course we’ll keep working on the application to include other features like a specially tailored dashboard, the ability to create infopoints, and more social features to relate to other users on the network.
Remember that our infopoints are also available as an augmented reality layer using the Layar application (http://www.layar.com) both on Android and iPhone, so you get a lot of ways of accessing BlooSee when at sea from your mobile device!
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BlooSee updated & other news
BlooSee website updated on January
You may have noticed some changes on the system, as we’ve updated it to improve useability.
Better groups
First thing you’ll see is that we’ve split the former “Community” area into two new tabs: “Friends” and “Groups”. The latter has seen major changes: you now have the ability to create private groups, you can search groups by different criteria and, in general, we’ve improved all that has to do with groups and discussions so you can use them to build your own sea-loving community within BlooSee.
The “Friends” tab will be improved as well, with the ability to search for people you might know, using different criteria.
Improved dashboard
You’ll also notice that the dashboard shows now global statistics on infopoints and routes (we’ve gone beyond the 2,000 infopoints mark now!), as well as those created by you and your circle of friends. And for those, it will allow you to keep track of who is more active in terms of infopoint and route creation, uploading of pictures, etc.
General improvements
Changes don’t end here, as we’ve tweaked and optimized different minor aspects as well. On the “Explore” tab, for example, the taxonomy has been slightly refined once more. Call us perfectionists, but we want to make sure that users have the most comprehensive, logical, and clear way of adding geolocated information to the global chart.
BlooSee on your mobile device
We’re also happy to anounce that it is now possible to access the BlooSee geolocated information on an augmented reality application, Layar. For those of you who have an Android-based mobile phone or an iPhone, you can get the Layar application for free [edit: the Layar application cannot temporarily be found on the iPhone App Store for technical reasons, it should be available soon, but please note this is beyond our control]. Once you have it installed, simply search for BlooSee within the application. You’ll be able to access all of our infopoints, with their information overlaid on the real images from your phone. It’s pretty neat!
And, in case you were wondering, our very own iPhone application is in the works. We don’t want to disclose dates for things yet unfinished, but soon you’ll be able to download the first version of the iPhone app, with the ability to access the same map you see now on you web browser. And an Android version will follow.
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Improved infopoint taxonomy
We’ve re-worked the infopoint taxonomy — and we all know sometimes small changes make big differences!
The addition of a couple of types under Facilities (namely Yacht club, and Sailing school) is something we should have done a while ago, and some users were asking for them. So here they are.
But we’ve also re-thought the placement of certain types and put them under different categories than they were originaly. We believe it makes much more sense like this.
New set of infopoint categories
Finally, we’re very happy to have a couple of new and important categories: Art and history, and Ocean conservation. Hey, this is when we can actually say our system is for sea-lovers! Even though we know many users will want to use our system to exchange critical data (facilities, aids to navigation, dangers…) or practical information (services, hotels and restaurants, shops…), true sea-lovers will appreciate those two layers to learn about nautical traditions and history, as well as get conservation related info.
Humankind has been tied to the ocean since the origin of history, and the seas of the world have been the backdrop to adventures, explorations, battles, but also fears and hopes throughout the centuries. Isn’t it cool to be able to mark those places where special events took place, or where traditions and legends originated? (I, for one, have already started: http://www.bloosee.com/r/i3eySCy)
And regarding our ocean conservation layer, we’ve said many times the ocean is not a mere highway for our boats: it is a living entity that we need to protect as much as we enjoy. So on BlooSee, users will be able to publish particular spots to see certain types of species (whales, sharks, seals, seabirds…), but also mark areas needing special protection, tag spots with a pollution concentration level higher than normal, etc. From BlooSee we want to contribute as much as we can to having a “green approach to the blue world”, and this new layer is only the beginning.
All in all, we hope you’ll like our new layer set!
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An improved Dashboard
We called it “Dashboard” but until today it only showed you your friends’ activity.
Today we’ve integrated a new Dashboard that does reflect its name: it provides you with a summary of activity taking place in the system, in an improved way.
The new Dashboard - click to enlarge
The activity now includes meaningful icons that let you see at a glance whether the posts have to do with new infopoints being added, or friends changing their status, or friends becoming friends with someone else, etc.
There’s also a list of the new infopoints added to the system (soon they’ll show what region/country they’ve been added to).
We’re also adding some basic statistics: the number of resources you and your friends have added to the system, what are your most active friends (with a higher number of infopoints, routes and pictures published), what are the most viewed among the infopoints you published, and so on.
On the left you also have a series of quick links to your own resources: friends, groups, pictures… as well as an easy way to update your status.
Of course all of this will conform a dynamic entity, and it will evolve following the needs of the system and its users, but at least now we can say we have a real Dashboard (with a meaningful name, that is). Enjoy.
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New tool on the map: distance calculator
Listening to user feedback, we’ve added a new tool on the map very helpful when planning routes: a distance calculator (activate it by clicking on its name or icon on top of the map). It works in a very similar way as to using a distance divider (or measuring compass) would on a physical chart: you have two points that you can move around, and the tool will draw a line and show you the distance between them. A circle is also drawn showing all points placed at the same distance from the center (see the associated screen capture — you can click on it to enlarge). Whenever you’re done, just click “Hide distance calculator” and it will disappear from the map (only until the next time you need it!).
Distance calculator - click to enlarge
As usual, we’re working on new features that we’ll announce as soon as they’re online.
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