Tech
DineSafe info now available on the iPhone, Android
DineSafe info is now readily accessible via the iPhone and Android. The new apps, created by the non-profit HackLab, leverage the open source data shared by the City of Toronto. It's the same data we use in the blogTO iPhone app and on this web site to link to DineSafe records next to each restaurant review. Handily, HackLab's new apps take this data even further, with comprehensive DineSafe records searchable by name, location (nearby), status and recent inspections.
For instance, I was able to quickly discover that the Dumpling House in Chinatown (yes, the same one once shut down for a rat infestation) received failing grades last Wednesday for failure to prevent food contamination as well as failure to provide proper utensils to ensure food safety.
The apps also share key statistics such as the current summary that 2 restaurants have been closed, 48 are subject to conditional passes, 243 have been untested and 14,296 have passed inspections.
The Android app isn't yet in the store, but in the meantime users can access the data via this mobile site.
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Now I can prove to my buddy that Forestview on Dundas is a sketchy place to have dim sum.
Working at Queen and Bathurst you take some seriously calculated risks for lunch.
OS x pre-lion was great. Now it is a disaster. May as well develop for wind-blows.
I spend most of my day developing for these crummy devices.
Why native and not web is beyond me. None of the native are storing the information in a local DB to pull up when you are offline.
Q: Why a native app and not a mobile website
A: It *is* a mobile website. The iphone app is just a UIWebview that sends you to the mobile website. The reason for this was to ensure people who saw or heard "DineSafe" and would not think of a mobile website and went to the AppStore would still find it.
Q: too bad it cannot be ad-free
A: We are working on a Pro version for 0.99 that will be ad free. Note that all income goes to the non-profit HackLab.TO
Q: Android version....
A: That's not ours. We did not yet submit to the Android Market.
Q: Its so slow
A: Yes, blame jquery mobile. The IUI based version was faster, but looked much worse and did not work on any other mobile device like Android or BlackBerry. This site even works on the Kindle! However, we ARE working now on a native app using json that will be much faster, and can store the entire database on your phone for offline use.
And of course, anyone can visit HackLab.TO and help us make this app better! We have our Open House every Tuesday evening!