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This should have been built into the iPhone: RedMonkey custom dialer

by Mel Martin Apr 24th 2009 at 8:15AM

The iPhone and iPod touch are pretty complete, but they are not perfect. The upcoming software update to version 3.0 will add a lot of features people have been crying for, but here's one that I don't think is in the summer update.

Red Monkey [App Store link] does something I've always wanted... a one touch button to dial a number. The free app can be placed on the main home screen of the phone and easily configured to dial a favorite number. In addition, it can be set up to start an email, map your current location, or visit a favorite website. You can only configure one task, so pick the one you want and you're good to go. While the app is free, the developers will sell you an additional 4 buttons for $0.99US each, allowing you a total of 5 buttons for 5 different tasks (if you want to check out RM's competitors, just search the store for 'dialer' and you'll find plenty).

One drawback is you have to remember which button does what, because there is no way to use anything but the generic icon that comes on each button, although after you tap it the button tells you what it is doing.

The app works fine on an iPod touch as a customizable launcher, but naturally you will need a WiFi connection for any of its network-related functionality.

I think this sort of feature should have been built into the iPhone by default; and who knows, maybe it will show up someday. I think this little app is worth a try for free, and if you really fall in love with it you can always add more buttons. There is a pretty comprehensive FAQ on how to use Red Monkey at the developer website.

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The iPhone and iPod touch are pretty complete, but they are not perfect. The upcoming software update to version 3.0 will add a lot of...
 

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Ryan McGeary

Nice. We've developed a similar application that allows you to put unlimited shortcut icons on the home screen but Apple rejected it. It's called SpeedTouch and it will use your contact's image as the icon.

http://speedtouchapp.com/

We are rebutting the rejection from Apple, but if anyone has any pull with the folks at Apple, we could really use the help to get this application approved.

April 25 2009 at 12:46 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
NeilM

Not much point in using Red Monkey/aardvark/axolotl/whatever as a button to launch a web page. Mobile Safari already allows you to save web page buttons to the home screens and to label them with whatever description you want.

April 25 2009 at 11:21 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
John T

YESSSSSSSSSSSS! I've been dying to find an app that works like this. I wish that it gave you the option to save someone's face as the icon on the dialer. I have a feeling Apple will be incorporating this sooner or later.

Thanks so much! http://www.johnthrasher.net

April 25 2009 at 3:49 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Andy

What's wrong with making a bookmark to tel://(number)? That's already built-in.

April 25 2009 at 1:22 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
tdowling

Good grief...so for each application these guys review, you expect them to do an exhaustive comparison of every other competing application?

April 24 2009 at 8:13 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
collide000

I really don't get the point of apps like this, is it really that hard to tap the screen twice, thrice at the most? (Phone app, favorites, person.)

April 24 2009 at 6:05 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to collide000's comment
MIchael

I had to jump in here with a reminder about an App which I read about over a year ago. "Favorator" has been one of those rare, daily used apps that I have owned for well over a year, and it's still a steal at $0.99.

The app allows you to populate a 3 x 4 Thumbnail screen with your most popular contacts pics. It then gives you the option to assign 2 dial-able telephone numbers to each, a SMS mobile number, and an email address to EACH thumbnail.

Here's an idea what a screen might look like: 12 thumbnail pics (hopefully recognizable) of your family, mates or whomever. Each thumbnail pic has the contacts first name tactfully overlaid in the bottom portion of the picture. The set-up allows you to assign up to 4 ways of contacting this person. The first example might be a friend that I only call on his mobile, text him on his mobile and sometimes email. The picture of such friend will have 3 tiny, yes tiny overlays in the upper right hand of the pic. In this case, a mini mobile (from to call his mobile), a tiny chat bubble (for me to text him) and a tiny piece of mail (so I can email him)

You ere probably thinking, how is the heck and I gonna difference between the three tiny images on the face of a thumbnail picture? EASY

--tap JIM's PIC once and the app will dial Jim's mobile phone for you.
--TAP Jim's PIC twice and Apple's SMS dialer will appear and auto input Jim's mobile # into the to:field.....you know what to do next
--TAP Jim's PIC THREE times and the iPhone will launch Mail from the default account and address an email to Jim, from you....all you need to add is a subject and the body and hit SEND.

Personally I have a page of contacts (thumbnails) for 1-Family 2-Friends 3-Business contacts 4- Restaurants 5- others.

Favorator is on of the Apps I Depend on the most. I'm assuming it does not have a very detailed or heavily financially backed marketing plan. What makes or breaks a developers hard work on the App Store.

This Ap is ONLY $ 0.99. It is worth 10x the amount. marketing, marketing, marketing...

sorry this is coming from a frustrated marketing grad that loves challenges.

April 25 2009 at 2:00 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Paul

Touched a bit of a blog reader nerve I'd say. Two points for the pitchfork toting mob: 1) The app is more than just a dialer, which is what makes it interesting. 2) Blogs are not Consumer Reports! They are merely opinions based on the whim of the blogger that you can take or leave.

April 24 2009 at 3:59 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
nxiv

FaceCall:
http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=290447776&mt=8

Or if you're jailbroken, you can do it for free with CallMe which you can find in Cydia.

April 24 2009 at 3:06 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
PSM

Are you guys all idiots? I've never used this app, or any dialer app, but as Mel points out, it doesn't just dial, it can send emails, get your GPS location, etc. which to me is far more interesting than dialing a number. I don't know if other apps do that but based on the comments above I'm guessing not many if any.

I don't work for TUAW, I don't care about the TUAW staff's feelings, I just have a little reading comprehension.

April 24 2009 at 1:13 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to PSM's comment
balls

Which is more than you can say about most TUAW commenters.

April 24 2009 at 7:46 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Schlaeps

So making a webpage with this code:

onload="window.location = tel:12345678900"

and saving it as a home screen button is different... how? Not to mention more free and more customizable (you can add your own icon and own name).

April 24 2009 at 12:37 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
2 replies to Schlaeps's comment
Justin

Solid WIN comment!

April 24 2009 at 1:20 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Caitlin

I did that before I jailbroke.

Now I have a custom dialer with name and picture, too.

April 28 2009 at 2:22 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
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