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Review: Vicinity for iPhone
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#2
robinh 
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- Group: Members
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- Joined: 19-May 08
Posted 06 January 2009 - 01:43 AM
I would have to agree with this review. This is one iPhone app that I regretted parting with money for, even at only $3!
The accuracy and usefulness of info for the UK is very poor, and it is difficult to know how to add or correct information. For example, if I ask for nearby banks to where I live, it gives me the details of one of my neighbours! Likewise for bars/pubs - it lists a pub that was actually pulled down four years ago and replaced by an office block.
It would also be nice if the 'lists' gave better info like a rating perhaps, rather than just distance/address. If I'm looking for a bar I have to drill down into each entry and go searching for the info which makes the whole thing less usable.
The accuracy and usefulness of info for the UK is very poor, and it is difficult to know how to add or correct information. For example, if I ask for nearby banks to where I live, it gives me the details of one of my neighbours! Likewise for bars/pubs - it lists a pub that was actually pulled down four years ago and replaced by an office block.
It would also be nice if the 'lists' gave better info like a rating perhaps, rather than just distance/address. If I'm looking for a bar I have to drill down into each entry and go searching for the info which makes the whole thing less usable.
#3
RolandRat
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- Joined: 06-January 09
Posted 06 January 2009 - 02:53 AM
In the UK I have found that AroundMe is considerably better, and makes Vicinity pale in comparison. The developer is also very responsive.
I wouldn't describe Vicinity as the 'latest'. In fact, it was one of the first.
I wouldn't describe Vicinity as the 'latest'. In fact, it was one of the first.
#4
elliotb
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Posted 06 January 2009 - 08:00 AM
I'm Elliot, the Managing Director of ActiveGuru Ltd.
First of all, I'd like to thank you for your review of Vicinity.
Whilst the review is perhaps slightly more negative than I would like, I do agree with a lot of your criticisms. In fact, some of the problems you mention, such as limited range/usefulness in remote areas will be solved in an update within the next month or 2.
The crashes you were experiencing were due to the demise of AppLoop.com (which tracked the number of new installs we were getting). The code they supplied occasionally crashes now that their server is offline. This has been fixed in an update that we submitted to Apple last week, but sadly they have not yet approved the update for sale, so our customers are left hanging with a crashing application.
The example you gave of a problem where "San Bernardino County Pub Dfndr" was listed for pubs and bars is an interesting one to solve. The way Vicinity works is by performing a text based query against our data sources, using keywords specific to the category you select. The keywords for the bars and pubs category are "bar" and "pub". Thus, you should be able to see why it appeared for this category. It matching the query, does not of course, make it correct. We're looking into adding some actions on the client side that will make it easy for users to flag listings as the wrong category, in addition to making corrections and adding new businesses.
I'd be very interested in hearing from you if you have any further suggestions, and I hope that you will be able to give a more positive review to a future update when these issues have been resolved.
Regards,
Elliot
First of all, I'd like to thank you for your review of Vicinity.
Whilst the review is perhaps slightly more negative than I would like, I do agree with a lot of your criticisms. In fact, some of the problems you mention, such as limited range/usefulness in remote areas will be solved in an update within the next month or 2.
The crashes you were experiencing were due to the demise of AppLoop.com (which tracked the number of new installs we were getting). The code they supplied occasionally crashes now that their server is offline. This has been fixed in an update that we submitted to Apple last week, but sadly they have not yet approved the update for sale, so our customers are left hanging with a crashing application.
The example you gave of a problem where "San Bernardino County Pub Dfndr" was listed for pubs and bars is an interesting one to solve. The way Vicinity works is by performing a text based query against our data sources, using keywords specific to the category you select. The keywords for the bars and pubs category are "bar" and "pub". Thus, you should be able to see why it appeared for this category. It matching the query, does not of course, make it correct. We're looking into adding some actions on the client side that will make it easy for users to flag listings as the wrong category, in addition to making corrections and adding new businesses.
I'd be very interested in hearing from you if you have any further suggestions, and I hope that you will be able to give a more positive review to a future update when these issues have been resolved.
Regards,
Elliot
#5
jonnyspeed
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- Group: Members
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Posted 09 January 2009 - 04:57 AM
Vicinity is very poor in London compared to AroundMe - why pay for something that links to Yahoo and doesn't really provide comprehensive listings. I'll stick with AroundMe that is free, works with Google and is fantastic at getting detailed listings? i agree $3 is probably low enough for those who haven't got a clue to make this company some money. I'd prefer to buy a coffee.
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