An interesting article in Time Magazine describes using smart phones as well as Nintendo DS to display recipes. According to the author, the advantages include much smaller footprint than a cookbook when counter space is at a premium. It got me thinking about other applications that would be useful and the possibility of having domains to reflect them.
Ditch the Cookbook: iPhone as Kitchen Helper
Are cookbooks a thing of the past? Perhaps not but it seems that technology is intruding into the kitchen. Having recipes on a smartphone allows text, audio, video and pictures to be displayed. Corresponding shopping lists can be provided which can be referred to when you are in the shops.
Current website offerings
Current popular recipe websites haven’t yet adapted to the smartphone world.
“And getting recipes off websites like Epicurious and food blogs like Simply Recipes and 101 Cookbooks can leave you with a haphazard pile of printouts.”
Downloading applications or videos is necessary and it costs money. A smartphone friendly website which provides this level of service for free seems to be absent so far.
To unlock the value, an appropriate domain would probably have to be developed and there is the threat that the traditional online recipe websites will adapt and offer such a service.
What else could benefit from being displayed on a smartphone?
DIY projects would seem to be a natural extension though protecting your phone from damage might be an issue. With video and play by play instructions, DIY jobs should be easier. Just as for recipes, you could also have a list of supplies and tools that are needed.
Car information and maintenance records could also be stored. Reminders can be sent to the phone for oil changes and other maintenance. Also for those who want to maintain their own cars, instructions and supply lists can be provided. Even recall information can be sent. Again some of these are already provided by current car websites but most are not smartphone friendly.
Hobbyists could also use a smartphone friendly website to store information on collections and get instructions on construction or repair. Imagine you were interested in antiques. Rather than relying on memory you can confirm your educated guess right in the dealer’s shop as well as an estimate of sale price and how to spot frauds. Photos can be taken and uploaded to the website where others can weight in on the identification, condition and estimated price of the piece.
The long term potential of smart phones is huge and the convenience of having access to such information with you at all times will become more and more obvious. I am not a proponent of .mobi but I do think adapting developed domains or subdomains to display appropriately on smartphones has a future.
Now may be the time to look for domains that could unlock some of that potential. Proper development of those domains is probably necessary to get some real value.
Any other thoughts about websites for smartphones?
Ditch the Cookbook: iPhone as Kitchen Helper
