SXSWi Mobile Tools Roundup
While my previous post on web-based SXSWi planning tools are great for the lead-up, what becomes critical when you’re actually in Austin is the ability to use your phone to keep tabs on not only where you’re supposed to go, but your session backups and even where your friends are as well.
I came across 4 tools - 2 native apps and 2 mobile web apps. Which type you prefer is up to you, but each has clear strengths and misses. Feel free to friend me on these apps at @stephenriley.
The Native Apps
Strengths: Sheer amount of functionality, including mapping, sharing, and heavy session filtering; mapping feature should be useful in Austin.
Weaknesses: Sheer amount of functionality makes the UI a bit of a mess. It’s like a Swiss Army knife when you really just need a nice Santoku knife.
Strengths: While not a planning tool, Ask Around has the potential to make a big splash by directly linking its users via proximity. Could be extremely useful to network and quickly get information, especially if certain sessions or parties are any good.
Weaknesses: Since it just launched this week, its difficult to see it working without more adoption. Definitely download it and try it in Austin.
The Mobile Web Apps
Strengths: Simple, color-codes event types and shows your social graph’s schedules via Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn. Easy way to scan and create your schedule.
Weaknesses: The friend integration could be more upfront; it only shows what friends are attending once you expand each event. While it’d muck up the UI a bit, I’d rather see friends mentioned in text or thumbnail, as that would influence my decisions.
Strengths: I used this last year - its dead simple, elegantly designed, and just plain useful. Color codes each type of event clearly, and shows how many friends are attending. Event selection is uber simple via the star icon. Where it gets really fun is letting you check-in at each session and broadcast where you’re actually sitting. If you want to attend SXSWi to meet people too, or appreciate clear design, this is the app for you.
Weaknesses: Doesn’t have the deeper functionality SXSW Go has. Can have issues saving your selections when your cell signal is spotty.
That’s it for now - feel free to send your favorites, and of course be sure to download our app Heat Tracker, to track all the action after the sessions, and Austin On Tap if you’re a beer lover to see what’s being poured where.
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