Mobile application roundup: updates, Craigslist, mobile video and navigation

Three great services either updated or arrived on mobile today. The multi-purpose Craigslist has launched an app for Blackberry. Mobile video service Vimeo (which GoMo uses for it’s video interviews) has created a mobile optimised site. And navigation service TomTom has released a big iPhone update

Craigslist comes to Blackberry

Equal parts notorious and just plain famous, Craigslist is the number one site if you’re looking for anything in San Francisco. I found my apartment here through Craigslist. While it doesn’t have as strong a presence outside of San Francisco, Craigslist does operate sites in most major cities and countries.

The problem with a mobile version of the site is the sheer amount of data that needs to be presented. Surfing Craigslist requires an awful lot of scrolling through an awful lot of lists and text - not a good experience on mobile. But the creators of the Blackberry app, Movela, have experience with optimising that kind of list and queue heavy service. UI features like a navigation bar that is always at the bottom of the screen will automatically let you switch back and forth between pages you’ve previously tagged.

Now… there are two problems with this app. First, it costs $4.99. At that price, a lot of people might be tempted to take their chances on the Blackberry mobile browser. Second, it hasn’t actually been approved by RIM yet.

Vimeo goes mobile

User-generated video sharing site Vimeo is the on-line service that GoMo News uses for it’s video interviews. I’ve never had a problem with it - uploads are fast and the weekly allotment of data is generous.

Ok, so this isn’t an application, but I for one am happy to see a mobile optimised version of the service launch.

It’s not perfect, from all reports. In this version of the site, only a very limited amount of content has been re-coded for mobile viewing. So try not to view any HD videos if you’re not on an unlimited data plan!

Tom-Tom app update

Mobile navigation was all the rage at CTIA this year - and Google shook things up a lot recently. In order to stay competitive, a mobile navigation service would want to be releasing some serious updates around about now. Which is precisely what TomTom is doing.

TomTom has revealed a cluster of updates to it’s iPhone application:

- “lane guidance” in both landscape and portrait mode. This gives advice on how best to take difficult junctions.
- Text-to-speech directions, so you can keep your eyes on the road.
- location aware “Help Me” function. If you have a breakdown, or need another emergency service, this provides numbers for the closest services.
- Updated map and safety camera database, but only for certain European countries.
- audio warnings that ping you when there’s a safety camera near, or if you’re driving over the speed limit.
- for iPod Touch, a music controller from within the app.