Comments on: Real Estate Technology Focus: Apple iPhone

By: rosewater

rosewater — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 20:56:09 +0000

I work at TxtAHouse.com and we have added support for streaming videos to iPhone devices. We let real estate agents and home sellers to upload their property info (pictures and videos) to our website, and we give them a code they advertise with their property. When someone texts that code on their mobile phones, they are sent a link to mobile page with pictures and videos. The videos are in 3gp format for most camera phones that support this kind of video. For iPhone, we added m4v movies so they can be streamed to these devices also. Our server converts the uploaded movies automatically using H264 video encoding and AAC audio encoding. You can try our demo by texting LELE to 32075. We are providing an innovative ways for real estate agents to better market and sell their homes, if you are a realtor, please visit us at http://www.TxtAHouse.com

By: Toronto real estate agent

Toronto real estate agent — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 18:00:37 +0000

I am working as a Toronto real estate agent and I am also considering to replace my old PDA. I really like iPhone ,seems to be a great high quality device and it is also masterpiece of design. I just need to check compatibility with my old application and hopefully it will work. You are right about impossibility to change a battery. It is a problem but iPhone is still my first choice.

By: Ron Ares

Ron Ares — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 04:53:23 +0000

I’ve been using RMLSWeb Mobile in beta mode since late September. Should be released anytime now…lite search capabilities on partial address or MLS #, up to 90 days off-market data, basic listing information…handy when you pull up to a listing with no advance knowledge. You can expand that basic search to 1 mile radius from subject property.

By: REBlogGirl

REBlogGirl — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 01:52:06 +0000

Cooler than all that- look at this call to developers to build stuff for the iphone related to location based services, social networking, mCommerce (including advertising and payments), communication, and entertainment… hmmm… wonder just how real estate fits in there… don’t it will be announced at Inman SF 2008.

http://www.kpcb.com/initiatives/ifund/index.html

By: Nick Bostic

Nick Bostic — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 23:04:03 +0000

@Sarah - Having worked in the wireless industry, I have seen so many livid Realtor’s with problems with eKey on Treo’s and Windows mobile phones anyway, so I think it was a brilliant decision to create the activeKey. Glad it’s working out well for you and allows you to actually have a good phone you enjoy instead of being tied to a dying brand.

@TitleRep - glad to hear another great review and I’m hoping I can get my IT department to allow me to use it on our corporate network. I think the only infrared on the device is for the proximity sensor by the ear piece to turn off the screen and I don’t think that uses the same technology as what is necessary for eKey, but hopefully the SDK will allow for some options. Maybe a Bluetooth key box some day…

By: TitleRep

TitleRep — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 22:47:33 +0000

Now that the SDK has been released, I would expect to see more of the Real Estate “key” programs (eKey, etc.) being developed. At least I would hope so…

The addition of Safari compatibility for our Portland RMLS is obviously a much needed improvement for them. A step in the right direction. ‘Bout time!

The mapping feature is probably what I use the most while driving all around town meeting agents and lenders. I loved the addition of the cell tower triangulation feature. Basically the same as GPS as far as I’m concerned. I can use this pinpoint feature to at least focus in on the general area (probably within a 1/4 mile), and then do a quick search for whatever I’m looking for, whether that’s an office, a starbucks or whatever, it pops right up on the screen and I can easily see how to get there. Agents could use that feature to show their clients what is in the neighborhood (schools, shopping, theaters, etc) as they’re standing at a property.

With the new update coming out adding the MS activesync, I’ll finally be able to check my company email. Previously I couldn’t talk our IT department into hooking me up since I wasn’t using a company approved phone. Pfft. Whatever.

My main complaints so far would have to be the lack of flash support, the fact that I can’t save pictures that people email me to the phone, and I can’t send images via text messages like I could on ALL my previous phones. Fortunately for me (and probably most people) those aren’t really THAT big of a deal.

So far, I think the iPhone has lived up to the hype and will only get better as new apps are developed.

By: Sarah Cooper

Sarah Cooper — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 21:46:27 +0000

I ADORE my iPhone and don’t care that I have to use an Active Key (which I think of as a baby monitor — doesn’t it look like one?) because it is just so cool! I have never loved a tech toy more!

By: Jonathan Miller

Jonathan Miller — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 21:46:24 +0000

Although I am an appraiser, not an agent, the iPhone is an unbelievable tool. Can’t imagine life without it. The web browsing is one of the most useful features. I use an outlook exchange server, their email, great pictures, intuitive interface. I load it up with podcasts.

By: Nick Bostic

Nick Bostic — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 21:38:40 +0000

Excellent news! Did RMLS give any type of indication as to when they may be rolling out with this? When I met with them last June or July, they told me “coming soon”, so it would be great to finally see this roll out.

Thanks!

By: Real Estate Roundup - Week 15 | eCommission Blog

Real Estate Roundup - Week 15 | eCommission Blog — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 20:55:22 +0000

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