Erich Stauffer

  • The Interactive Fiction SMS Text Based App I Never Built

    I wondered if I could build a SMS/text-based interactive fiction (IF) app. This is a story of how I researched the problem, but ultimately failed to actually execute on making one. I didn’t know what I was looking for or even if it existed, but I had the desire to play a game via SMS (simple…

  • Seektivity – My First Failed Startup

    This is a story about Seektivity, the idea I had for an activity and event locator app that I worked on, but never completed. While I did a lot of fun things growing up, I wouldn’t say I had a lot of fun. I grew up in an environment of scarcity. There was never money…

  • What Happened to the Color App?

    Why Did Instagram Succeed When the Color App Failed? We hope you’ve enjoyed sharing your stories via real-time video. Regretfully, the [Color] app will no longer be available after 12/31/2012. That was the message posted on Color.com [Update 7/15/2003: The site is no longer up.], the domain Color Labs paid $350,000 to acquire in 2011…

  • Exchange Public Folders and Tasks on iPhone and Android

    How do you sync Exchange Public Folders with Android/iPhone? There is no way for the iPhone to show the Public Folders on its own, so we have a few options: Create additional Contacts and Calendar folders in Outlook. These new folders will synchronize with the Public Contacts and Calendars and as they’re in the mailbox…

  • White-Label Apps

    Apps that do the same thing, but can be branded for different businesses under a licensing agreement or for a large fee are white-label apps. Major brands, universities, chambers of commerce, and businesses are all in need of certain types of mobile apps that don’t need to be redeveloped, just re-branded. Appetyte makes trivia and…

  • How to Auto-Forward Text Messages to Email in Android, Blackberry, Windows Mobile, Palm Pre, and the iPhone

    It may seem counter-intuitive to some to forward a SMS message to an email address when most devices that can receive text messages can also receive email, but sometimes you don’t have access to your phone, yet you still need access to the text messages. This could happen if you lose your phone, leave your phone at work or…

  • 6 Ways to Install Android APK Files

    MID Tablets had a post on how to add the Android Market app to a Coby Kyros tablet without rooting, but I wanted to revise the article to be about different ways to install Android APK files in general. Different Ways to Install Android APK Files There are various ways to install Android apps, which…

  • Apps and Services to Find Your Phone or Mobile Device

    Have you ever lost your phone or laptop? It’s a horrifying feeling. Thankfully there are some things you can do about it before it happens to you. The following apps or services will help you find your smartphone or notebook if they are lost or stolen. They can also be used to find the person…

  • Android Smartphone Training in Indianapolis

    Get more out of your Android cell phone from Verizon, Sprint, or AT&T with custom, one-on-one training from Erich Stauffer Learn how to best utilize your powerful new smartphone with a one-on-one, personal lesson to teach you how to use your mobile device. There are many things your phone can do that you may not…