Thats right...the GIS Show has its' own iPhone app! I have downloaded this app this morning and started browsing. This looks like the beginning of something really great for all us Cyber Supers. Here are some things you are able to do and most importantly....NO NEED TO HAVE INTERNET CONNECTION!
This app is loaded with features and by the looks of things, there will be plenty of updates to come to make this even better before the show. When you first open the app you want to setup your profile but hitting the preference button at the top right. Enter all your information in, especially any of your social networking info.
The feature I like best, is the show floor map tab. No more carrying the big broshure map with you. When you click on the tab, a map of the show floor is on your phone. You can zoom like normal on the phone to get a closer view of a specific booth. Click on the booth and you have all the vendor information you need. You can even add an appointment to remember to visit that booth.
Don't want to search by booth, click on the exhibitor tab at the bottom and you can search by specific exhibitor or by category. Again, once you have clicked on an exhibitor, you have all their information. You have the ability to set an appointment for yourself to visit(this does not go to the company), you can also create a note for yourself. The note feature is really fantastic! From the dashboard screen, if you click on the preference tab at the top, you have the ability to email yourself any and all notes you create in this app.
Once you have found a booth or exhibitor, you can make them a favorite by selecting the star at the top of the screen. This will highlight that booth on your map.
Another great feature is in the more tabs. Not sure what classes you want to take or you want to hear a specific speaker, you have the ability to search by speaker or events. When you find an event you want to attend, you select the star at the top of the screen and this automatcially adds this event to your calendar. May be you have attended a specific event in the past and thought it was something other people should attend, you can rate an event as well.
The calendar tab keeps track of your entire week. You have the ability to add your own appointments for the week by simply pressing the + sign at the top of the screen.
Once you begin filling your week up, move to the dashboard tab, this will list all your appointments on one screen in chronological order.
As an avid iPhone user and seeing some other features in this app that haven't yet been utilized to my knowledge, there are probably many updates to come. One inparticular is push notifications. As you will see when you first open the app, it prompts you to allow for push notifications. This is probably a feature down the road that will be utilized. Download this app now in the app store "GIS 2011".
