'Remember, NEVER use a mobile when riding or driving'
That's the first screen that appears on the android version of IBiker when you fire it up. A timely reminder..
Once you've then entered (or skipped) registration, you're presented with the first of the application's menu screens, for Routes.
The menu screen layout is very user friendly with left or right arrows available to switch between menu choices. All very straight forward stuff, which is good. Too many modern designs are overcomplicated.
To the left you will find '
Profile' where you can configure your preferences, passing back thru
Routes, to the right you will find
Videos, then
Links, followed by
Favourites
I'll start with favourites. once selected all you will find are quick links to your favourited or your own created
Routes, Places of Interest, Videos. Nice and straightforward, easy to use and understand.
Coming back out of that screen and going left one is the Links option. selecting it brings up training links;
Bikesafe and
ERS (enhanced rider scheme) you can't add to these yourself but Im sure if you were to contact IBiker then further training links could be added. Im sure there would be problems in that if one is in all must be let in, so for now there's just the two links. Worth a view though. Back out of that and to the left brings you to Videos.
Videos is brill. there are 4 options.
Bike Maintenance, Mythbusting, POI videos and
Route videos.
Bike Maintenance brings up young JT running through before flight checks. Basic stuff, but stuff that can be forgotten in the haste of catching the sun while it's out.
Mythbusting is a great section and talks about Cornering, Braking (surprised me actually) Laying the Bike down, Helmets and leathers and finally how Biker first aid could help. First Bike on Scene.
POI videos isnt showing chicks sunbathing on Yarmouth seafront however does highlight problematic places on routes. for instance, Hotspot 1 on the Cat and Fiddle. A video review of the hotspot is so much better than 'yeah watch out when you go thru 'XXX' ' You can see what you'll be faced with.
Taking the option for
Route videos allows you to choose a route on the mapping part and sit down and view it before riding it. link that to the POI videos and youre forearmed with loads of info on your chosen route (assuming it has been videod)
Back out to the main menu and to the left will bring you to 'Routes'
This is a huge part of the App and arguably the mainstay.
It's a map. Google map with the ability to overlay routes onto it. These can be preloaded ones from the menu or ones you create yourself. I guess with GPS activated you can use it to act as a basic map based Sat Nav however I would say it's better used as an electronic map when you stop for a brew. Remember the opening screen?
Remember, NEVER use a mobile when riding or driving
There's various options along the bottom of the screen, home, routes, POI's, create route and one for options of which overlays you wish to use (such as overlaying the EuroRAP routes.. the dangerous routes highlighting facility thing (dead technical, me..) You can even send your own routes public and share them with everyone else. if you have your own special route you want to keep secret, dont send it public!
It's really a case of getting the App and playing with it to be honest. The website itself shows many other uses.. There's something for everyone and all will find a different use for the App tailored around their own needs. Alad will be getting the Iphone version sent to him shortly, whereupon you'll be able to get another person's view of it and see how someone else interprets it's uses.
For me, it's a gem of an App and well worth the 2.50 or so that it costs to download from the Android store. It's backed by the DfT so it's not some crap app, it's a well thought out bit of biker gear and for the avid tourer as well as the recreational sportsbike rider, could prove highly useful.
www.ibikerapp.com for more info and screenshots
