We added some more features to the iPhone Siddur. The new feature is a way to find the closest minyan (prayer group) to your current location.
Here is how it works. We uploaded a database of minyainim (shuls and locations of Jewish prayer groups). Then using the iPhone or iPod Touch's localization feature, we find the Minyain that is nearest to you.
Here is a picture of the closest minyainim to my current location, that are found in our database:
Clicking on a result will bring up more information:
If a phone number is available, it will hyperlink the number so you can initiate a call:
Notice also the "View Map" button at the bottom left. Clicking it, will open up the native Google Maps program, plotting the points for this minyan, so you can use Google Maps directions to get there:
The "More Info" button will link you to the GoDaven web site, for this result, it takes you over here. GoDaven will likely have more information on the result, in case you need it.
Also, for those Sefardic / Edut Mizrach Jews, we finished adding the text for your prayers. Here is a preview of the available "Nusachs."
Note, everything mentioned here will be a free release to all those who purchase the iPhone Siddur. Note, we are currently waiting for contract approval, although the application itself was approved. Was we get legal approval, then the application will go live. We will then release a new version that must be approved by Apple again, and when it is live, you will automatically be notified of the update.
Comments
Barry, I'm very excited about this iphone siddur. I check the blog daily for updates. It's going to be very strong, what with zmanin and minyan. As a Sphard, I'm really glad you're including us in the fun (with both nusach and mizrahi). Thanks so much!
Posted by: Ilan | August 5, 2008 3:38 PM
I'm glad your excited. I seriously cannot wait until we can push this out. Common Apple! ;-)
Posted by: Barry Schwartz | August 5, 2008 3:41 PM
Just out of curiosity. Is the database part of the application ? Some kind of lite database that isiddur can do the lookup, or is there a call made over the net to a database you guys maintain ? If a synagogue moved or a new synagogue was added would you need to push out an update to the app ?
Posted by: Ron | August 5, 2008 4:05 PM
Local database for speed and connectivity purposes but with links to online database, if needed. Also, we will have to send up updates with new databases every now and then.
Posted by: Barry Schwartz | August 5, 2008 4:08 PM
Makes sense. Come on Apple ! We should all pray for a speedy arrival of prayers to the IPHONE. ;-)
Posted by: Ron | August 5, 2008 4:16 PM
Now this is cool!
Looks like you got spammed......
Posted by: Leon Schwartz | August 5, 2008 8:40 PM
Very nice! As far as a compass, I was under the impression that the iPhone unlike the unreleased Android does not know its orientation. The accelerometers/tilt and other sensors have no clue to the direction being faced unless you are moving, and it can be calculated from the GPS. I might be wrong. What you might want to add to the map is the functionality of showing the direct line to Yerushalayim from the user's location as you can see at the Bearing to Yerushalayim and Zmanim Map (full screen version) on my site. I have no idea how easy converting my JS code to the native iPhone map will be, but feel free to do so. I have also toyed with a iPhone web-app iZmanim - An Alpha Release of Zmanim for the iPhone. It is very rough and just a proof of concept that exercised my API, but it probably has some ideas that you might want to incorporate.
Posted by: KosherJava | August 6, 2008 11:18 AM
Thank you KosherJava - your work is really invaluable and the community thanks you for it.
Regarding the GPS, getting directional information is rumored to be coming soon. But it is currently not available, as you pointed out. For now, that feature wont be in any releases, not until it works.
Posted by: Barry Schwartz | August 6, 2008 12:32 PM
Barry,
Can you comment about the technical aspect of adding the line/s to Yerushalayim to the map in place of the true compass (once the compass is implemented it should also point at the direction of one of the 2 lines in my map). In addition is there a public TODO list that you have for the project?
Here are some suggestions:
1) The Aseres Yemai Tshuva "Zachrainu Lechayim" (shown in one of your screenshots) should be grayed out/collapsed for the rest of the year. The same should go for Yaaleh Veyavo etc etc
2) Inclusion of a Jewish Calendar
3) Optionally use the map to allow users to pinpoint the override zmanim location
4) configurable list of user selectable zmanim (extended) to select for the default display. You can use the information on my site as a starting point.
5) configuration to display seconds and use elevation for zmanim calculations (algorithm is very straight forward (you can contact me offline via my blog's contact page for details), and there is a web service for elevation lookup, if this data is not available via the GPS data)
5) A landing screen similar to a shul billboard. This would require a minimal calendar implementation
6) Sefiras Haomer reminders
I am sure my list will grow :)
Posted by: KosherJava | August 6, 2008 3:21 PM
Hi again,
Working on #1, #2,
#3, using a map, is something we might do down the road. We have zip code and long/lat feature already in.
#4, hopefully down the road
#5, not sure if we will do seconds, since the times are not always 100% exact (they can be a minute or so off). We will add elevation, as you said, it is fairly easy to do.
#5a, might be in our "luach" tab, working on it
#6, maybe down the road.
We hope to build a place where users can post feature requests and people can then vote on those requests. :)
Ill contact you off the blog soon.
Posted by: Barry Schwartz | August 6, 2008 4:04 PM
anyone that's interested there a great site that I've used for my gps and have texted message feature to find a minyan and a glatt restaurants. For those non iphone users.
www.KosherRestaurantsGPS.com
Posted by: D Krauss | September 23, 2008 5:42 PM