Feltpad

Here’s what Feltpad is working on lately…

Drink Deck Android App
Version 1.1 of the Drink Deck Android App features a much smaller filesize (down from 10.5 megabytes to 0.8 megabytes), location awareness, and some backend improvements. The app is free to download.

Drink Deck iPhone App(s)
Feltpad is working on some improvements for the Drink Deck iPhone Apps. Currently Drink Deck has separate iPhone Apps for Chicago, Portland and New Orleans.

ChiTxt
The ChiTxt Project has been submitted into the Community Round of the Apps for Chicago competition. ChiTxt is a text messaging system that gives users an access to information about medical facilities, soup kitchens, and more. ChiTxt is targeted at Chicago residents who want information about city services but do not have internet access. To start using ChiTxt, text the word INFO to 773-922-6886, or visit www.ChiTxt.com.

ChiTxt
For the Apps For Chicago competition, Feltpad has developed ChiTxt. ChiTxt is a text messaging system that gives users an access to information about medical facilities, soup kitchens, and more. ChiTxt is targeted at Chicago residents who want information about city services but do not have internet access. To start using ChiTxt, text the word INFO to 773-922-6886, or visit www.ChiTxt.com.

Drink Deck Android App
Drink Deck for Android v1.1 has been released and is now available in the Android Market. Smaller download size and some improved features. Download the app for free and start getting discounts at the best night spots around Chicago and Portland.

Business Developments
Feltpad was proud to sponsor the iPhone App for The Chicago Fringe Festival. The 2nd annual festival was a big success and we look forward to working with them again next year.

Taking a new direction with AppAdministrator, Feltpad will be working with Support 1000 to develop an iPhone Application that will serve as a fund raiser for the organization. If you know of any organizations that may be interested in a similar project, please email us: contact@feltpad.net.

Version 1.1 of the Drink Deck Android App will be available sometime next week. Will be mostly background functionality upgrades, but users will also notice a few new features.

Arduino
After a bit of tinkering, I have gotten the WIZ811MJ Network Adapter working with the Arduino. The setup is cheaper than an Arduino Ethernet Shield and gets the job done. Here are a few things I’ve already done:
- Post the current temperature of the office to @FeltpadArduino
- Setup a basic web server
- Open the web server to the public, with buttons on the webpage to turn an LED on and off
- Wire a Sega Genesis controller to play music

Here is a video game in a box, which looks to be controlled by some sort of Arduino clone.

Video Game in a Box from Teague Labs on Vimeo.

Arduino Ideas:
- Website Hit Counter with 7-segment LEDs
- Unlock doors with phone, using Twilio (or LAN WiFi connection)
- Control robot with Wii Nunchuck
- Nunchuck controlled web cam, mounted on servos, communicating via web server

It has been a busy few weeks. Time to get caught up.

The Chicago Code Workshop was August 17th and 18th. We had 14 students who learned computer programming and were given laptop computers to take home.

The Drink Deck Android App is now available in the Android Market. The application is free and provides access to restaurant discounts in Chicago and Portland.

The FREEvents iPhone App and FREEvents.net will soon be available for San Francisco and (possibly) St. Louis.

I have been doing some work with the Arduino and have some new parts being shipped – we will soon be connecting to the internet and using a Wii Nunchuck to control a motor. We won’t be using tin foil, but here is an idea of where we’re heading:

Finally, Feltpad is launching a new initiative to partner with non-profit organizations. The goal is to use our AppAdministrator framework to create iPhone applications that generate funds and name recognition for the organizations. More details coming soon.