Filed under: Software, WWDC, iPhone, iPod touch
The iPhone app I saw at WWDC but still can't show you: Bon App
I guess you could say I'm an armchair foodie. Strangely enough, once I started working at home I rarely got the chance to cook a proper meal. It doesn't help that my kids have typical kid palates, and attempts to "get fancy" with the ingredients are met with wrinkled noses and frowning faces. So when I see an app that looks like it'll make my cooking life simpler and better I'm very, very excited.Bon App looks to do just that -- it simplifies the entire cooking process, from planning to shopping to cooking. All on the iPhone (or iPod touch). What really has me excited is the way it does this. Any blunt object can bash a nail. I mean, there's a reason Mac users have higher standards, right? I like to think we appreciate ease-of-use and quality design. Bon App has an extensive feature list, yes, but it looks darn good doing what it does, and the developer spent serious time thinking about how you interact with the app.
While I can't show you any screens (the developer was adamant that I not record video), I tell you about a few things I saw. One nice touch: when selecting a particular dish to cook, an icon of the recipe bounces down into a menu bar, indicating where to go next (shopping list, if I recall correctly). I don't remember the shopping list feature well, but the cooking features are exceptional. The app shows you a visual indication of how long each dish will take along a bar graph. This helps you plan what to cook and when. As anyone who has played Hell's Kitchen will tell you, timing is critical. You don't want hot side dishes and a cold entree. It was the first time I'd seen that on an app, and was indicative of the thought put into the app's flow.
The final pieces hadn't been put together when I had a look at the demo. The developer was still thinking through the last phase (cooking, which can be tricky, as trying to prep a meal isn't as straightforward as you might think) and tweaking the interaction. I'm also not sure how recipes get into the app. If you're looking for a desktop cooking app that syncs with the iPhone, about the best I've found so far is Avenio's MacGourmet. But I will certainly be keeping an eye out for Bon App. Even though I'm very happy with Sous Chef, the detail and design of Bon App has me wishing I could pre-order now.
![TUAW [Cafepress]](http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.tuaw.com/media/tuaw-cafepress-promo.png)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
James Donevan said 9:50AM on 7-19-2009
What is the point of this report? An app that doesn't exist in any finished form, indeed may never be released. Surely there are enough existing, available apps that you don't have to resort to silliness like this?
It's bad enough when TUAW reports on apps unavailable and awaiting approval, but apps where the developer is 'still thinking through' its functions? And from the TUAW lead as well. A stronger, experienced editorial hand is overdue here.
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SpinThis! said 11:57AM on 7-19-2009
Thanks James... this is almost exactly what I was going to write.
The app sounds interesting but this is the ultimate vaporware—no screenshots, nothing, just hype about how great it's going to be.
This is like Apple announcing the iPhone but the web browser doesn't work. "You can pinch to zoom in out and double tap to zoom in but... actually we can't show you those features yet."
Sax25 said 3:06PM on 7-19-2009
Victor, I find it fascinating that you would write out this whole thing without being allowed to provide screenshots or video? If you have had your hands tied, so to speak - why on earth would you give this much publicity to an app that nobody can see? If the author of bon app wants to keep things under such a tight wrap, then kindly do not give them this free publicity which just makes us curious and offers nothing towards that. This would just generate hype for this app and give the author undeserved attention. If they want to show us how amazing this app is - then prove it to us in the usual way, but not by teasing us and then saying we can't show you anything. Unacceptable.
Nik said 9:51AM on 7-19-2009
Is there a release date for this app?
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Esquire Bob said 9:56AM on 7-19-2009
I certainly hope "Bon App" is not the actual name of the software. It is a clear infringement on the "Bon Appetit" name of the popular food culinary magazine. I am notifying Conde Nast immediately of this willful infringement. Leeching off someone else's brand name is inappropriate and illegal.
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Rob said 10:15AM on 7-19-2009
I disagree that this is a case of "CLEAR" trade-mark infringement. Courts in many countries look at three factors when determining infringement:
1) Do both Trade-marks similar in look?
2) Do both Trade-marks sound the same or similar?
3) Do both Trade-marks convey the same or similar meanings?
Here one could argue that they do not sound the same. "Bob App" and "Bon Appetit" sound quite different IMHO.
They are coney different meanings. When I hear "Bon App", I think it is a short form for "Bon Application". Nothing to do with food.
And they do look different.
Even of you disagree with this analysis, there still may not be a case for trade-mark infringement. It will depend on the wares and services listed on the Trade-mark for "bon Appetit". If the "Bon Appetit" trade-mark only covers "books and magazines" and NOT "software", there would likely be no case.
Justin said 10:30AM on 7-19-2009
You do realize that this is a French phrase meaning "good eating" right? Bon Appetit is a phrase in public domain and fairly common use. When I hear that phrase in no way do I think of a specific publication but rather just a phrase. It would be like enforcing a trademark on something like "good luck", "godspeed", "Bon voyage" or "cest la vie".
atothej said 11:00AM on 7-19-2009
Actually, Rob, "bon app" is just short for "bon appétit" and pretty much every "francophone" says it, so the two are without a doubt synonymous.
Nevertheless I totally agree, that I don't see copyright infringement, well at least not as blatant a case as Esquire Bob makes it out to be. I mean what is your deal anyways? Why do you get so angry over something that--I would think--should not be of interest to you? Are you thinking: "Oh yeah, I'm gonna stick it to the man!" by ratting out a software developer to a huge magazine??? come on! I cringe at the thought of thousands of Americans saying "bon appétit" anyways... (whoa, where did that come from? ;-) )
BJ said 2:21PM on 7-19-2009
Esquire Bob may have a point. Let's remember the long running dispute between Apple Corp (Beatles record company) and Apple Computer. One made records, the other computers, and I am pretty sure the word Apple is in the dictionary.
After many years and millions in legal fees, Apple Computer reached an out of court settlement paying Apple Corps. Apple Computer won an initial legal victory in a British court, but then settled out of court before case went to the appellate (Applelate, hee hee) court.
I am no attorney, nor do I play one on the Internet. However, in lawsuit happy America anything goes, no matter how frivolous.
"Bonjour, everyone! Don't worry. Everything is bon!"
- Joe, Team America
alex cutter said 2:35PM on 7-19-2009
What a jerk-off.
Rob said 2:40PM on 7-19-2009
BJ Said "One made records, the other computers".
This is not entirely accurate. Both Apple Records and Apple Computers sell music BOTH under the same name "Apple", Apple sells a lot of music via its iTunes Store! The use of BOTH trade-marks (when selling music) would be VERY confusing to the pubic.
You should also note that registered trade-marks are limited to the wares and services listed on the registered Trade-mark. If the Trade-mark is unregistered, then the company asserting the unregistered Trade-mark against a second company must prove that it has been using that mark for the goods and services in question BEFORE the second company in a way that creates trade-mark rights.
Many companies uses the same trade-mark as others but in different businesses (that would not confuse the public). MCI is a good example. MCI is a trade-mark of a telecommunications long distance company. MCI is also a trade-mark of another company who makes buses.
Both trade-marks are legitimate.
You should also remember than trade-marks are REGIONAL in nature. If a trade-mark is only registered in USA, then one cannot use this registered trade-mark against another company selling the same type of goods and services in another country. (But you might be able to assert your unregistered trade-mark against this other company if you have been selling your goods in this other country under your unregistered trade-mark. It depends on the laws in that other country).
I am not saying that there is NOT a case of trade-mark infringement here. It is just not a CLEAR case. (And there may be a very weak case if the registered trade-mark for "Bon Appetit" in the USA is limited to "books and magazines" and not "software").
Jim said 4:17PM on 7-19-2009
"I am not saying that there is NOT a case of trade-mark infringement here. It is just not a CLEAR case. (And there may be a very weak case if the registered trade-mark for "Bon Appetit" in the USA is limited to "books and magazines" and not "software")."
From US Trademark Office (note: Advance Publishers Inc. is Conde Nast) -
Word Mark BON APPETIT
Goods and Services IC 035. US 100 101 102. G & S: Promoting the goods and services of others by distribution and transmission of advertisements in the nature of audio text messages and emails and emails via wireless and mobile devices
IC 038. US 100 101 104. G & S: Transmission of information through video and audio digital networks and electronic communications
IC 043. US 100 101. G & S: Providing information in the fields of food, beverages, cooking, baking, recipes and wine and restaurant reviews via wireless mobile devices, satellite, cable and global computer networks
Standard Characters Claimed
Mark Drawing Code (4) STANDARD CHARACTER MARK
Serial Number 76663707
Filing Date July 27, 2006
Current Filing Basis 1B
Original Filing Basis 1B
Published for Opposition July 10, 2007
Owner (APPLICANT) Advance Magazine Publishers Inc. CORPORATION NEW YORK Four Times Square New York NEW YORK 10036
Attorney of Record ERIC E. GISOLFI
Prior Registrations 0653791;2773320;AND OTHERS
Type of Mark SERVICE MARK
Register PRINCIPAL
Live/Dead Indicator LIVE
Most likely Bon App's legal department felt this was not an issue. Case closed.
Bowmiester said 1:15PM on 8-24-2009
Well this explains why I got a letter from Conde Naste lawyers demanding I rename my iPhone app. I called mine Bon Appetit (honestly had never heard of the magazine before). And While naming it, I assumed since it's a french phrase, how could it possibly cause issues? It's a meal planning application and has nothing to do with food reviews, recipes, etc. I honeslty don't think the laywers even looked at the application.
junk.askewed said 10:08AM on 7-19-2009
Don't hold back Bob... Tell us how you really feel.
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malik said 11:04AM on 7-19-2009
in belgium, a word that's in the dictionary can not be copyrighted/trademarked.
and since half the people in belgium talk french, they are free to use BonApp over here, even BonAppetit is legal.
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Jim said 5:19PM on 7-19-2009
Yeah, but you are stuck with living in Belgium with all the militant muslims. Trademark law is the least of your concerns. I'd worry more about gun laws.
James Carroll said 12:39PM on 7-19-2009
@Victor - Thanks for the write-up. I'm glad your enthusiasm at WWDC hasn't subsided! Drop me an email and I will keep you posted on the countdown to launch.
@James, @Nik - BonApp is coming to the end of a long development process (we've just completed the fifth round of private beta-testing). We are hoping to submit to the App Store in the next few weeks, but it won't happen until our (very high!) standards are met. Drop an email to and we'll keep you posted as the big day approaches!
@Bob - BonApp is a word-play on the French salutation "Bon Appétit!" meaning "enjoy your meal" (literal meaning: "good appetite") and the fact that it is a good (French: "Bon") application ("App"). Indeed the French often shorten Bon Appétit to BonApp in conversation. We do not intend nor believe there will be any confusion with any other similarly-named product or service (of which there are many throughout the world!).
---------------------
James Carroll
Founder & Lead Developer
BonApp
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James Carroll said 12:44PM on 7-19-2009
Sorry - the email address got eaten by the comments engine...
To be notified when BonApp is released, drop an email to:
hungry AT bon-app.com
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CaptCaveman said 3:34PM on 7-19-2009
In the mean time I've been using the big oven app and just found the all recipes apps. Both free and filled with recipes, ratings, and directions.
I do wish the shopping lists on them were a bit more iPhone friendly, like integrating into one of the shopping list apps out for the phone already. But I can always copy the list into Evernotes and sync it with the phone. Or send myself an email.
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Jeffrey said 8:56PM on 7-19-2009
I wouldn't expect too much from this app based on the crappy icon.
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