Tracking the future

A few weeks ago I posted a blog on iPhone applications that were relevant to the delivery business. I thought I would go back and see what had happened in this space since this first blog.

I was quite surprised at the explosion in applications – particularly in the package tracking variety. A recent search found over 12 iPhone applications that allow users to track their packages around the world. These applications typically tap into the delivery agents web sites and bring this information into a single application. Some of the applications are currently targeted at the US market whilst others claim to offer universal access to delivery agents around the world. I have listed below a few of the best that are around:

Delivery Status touch ($2.99) – This is primarily an iPhone application which is also available as a dashboard widget or through a web browser. This application covers most delivery companies around the world and has the ability to show you the location of your packages on Google Maps.

• Package Tracker ($0.99)  – This application is primarily aimed at US deliveries , however you can customise the application to cater for non-us delivery companies.
• TrackThis Package Tracking ($0.99) – Push notifications is part of this application so that anytime your package moves a notification is sent through to you. If the user sets up a UseTrackThis.com account he/she can sync package information on the phone and on the web.
• TrackMyShipments + (Free) Another tracking application that allows users to track packages worldwide (new companies being added frequently). Again this application allows you to track your packages via google maps and GPS – push notification is also offered.
• Express Assistant ($1.99) – Yet another US domestic package tracking application.
• UPS Mobile (Free) – This allows users to track shipments via the companies delivery services – primarily in the US. Users can also find UPS locations via GPS and estimate shipping costs.
• USPS Mobile (Free) – This is a new application that brings together a number of USPS services from package tracking through zip-code look up to finding USPS locations.
• Packagee ($2.99) – This is a shipping rate calculator for US domestic carriers. the application also shows users the speed of delivery as well as a lowest cost per day of delivery!

Other applications relevant to the delivery industrry are:

• Zip Codes ($0.99) – This application contains all the zip code information for all US Zip Codes for 52,260 cities across the US
• ZipFinder ($0.99) – Another Zip Code finder for US cities.
• ZipCode Plus ($0.99) – Yet another Zip/Post Code finder – the difference with this one is that it is any country and you can type in an address and it will return the Zip/Post Code for that address.
• Postal Code (Free) – This application uses GPS to give you the postal code for where you are.
• ZIP Code (USA) ($0.99) – Yet one more US Zip Code look up application.
• UK Postcodes ($0.99) – This is a UK based postcode look up application which also has a handy map which shows which postcode you are in.
• OzPostcodes – Australian postcode application – this one shows you which postcode you are in along with the 10 surrounding postcodes.
• Zipcodes – FR ($0.99) – French Postcode application.

And lastly

• Postal ($0.99) – A shoot-em-up game based that allows you to knock things down as you ride along on your bike trying to deliver things.

All these application are available on your iPhone through iTunes. If you know of anymore let me know and I will post them on a regular basis so we can keep up to date on what is happening in the delivery business.