Mobile App for Oregon Wildflower ID just released...

[payslee]

Hey all, got this announcement from the NPSO mailing list. I've not downloaded or tried it yet since I have kind of a stupid phone, but I'm super curious to hear from anyone who does...

-payslee

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Native Plant Society of Oregon Discussion List
List info and options: http://npsoregon.org/discussionlist.php
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Greetings all,

The Oregon Flora Project, together with High Country Apps, has released
its /Oregon Wildflowers/ app! This app is an interactive field guide to
947 species of wildflowers, vines and shrubs that occur in nature in
Oregon (whether they are native or introduced). It provides photos,
range maps and brief descriptions for each species in addition to
providing an easy-to-use interface for identification using just a few
basic plant characters.

This app is the latest effort of the Oregon Flora Project to
meaningfully share scientific information with a broad audience. It is a
great introductory tool for those who are curious about their natural
surroundings, and it is a valuable resource for the skilled biologist.
In-depth content about Oregon's ecoregions and plant habitats, botanical
principles, and plant-hunting destinations make this a useful addition
to any plant-lover's collection.

It works without an Internet connection once downloaded, so it can be
used in the remotest areas of the state. The app covers plants found
throughout Oregon, and has over 3,200 photographs.

/Oregon Wildflowers/ is compatible with Kindle Fire, iOS, and Android
devices and is available through the online app stores for $7.99:

Apple (https://itunes.apple.com/app/id828499164&mt=8)
Amazon
(http://www.amazon.com/gp/mas/dl/android ... fieldguide)
Google App
(https://play.google.com/store/apps/deta ... fieldguide)



Press release:
http://extension.oregonstate.edu/news/r ... fingertips

This is our first venture into tools for mobile devices, and the Oregon
Flora Project wants to know what you think! Please send us your comments
and suggestions about your experience with this app at
[email protected].


Enjoy!

linda

[adamschneider]

Whoa... a 396MB download?? It'd be nice if they had the option to only download the bare-bones app and then retrieve the data as needed.

[Guy]

I put down the $8.00 for it Payslee, I was loath to give it so much phone space but did anyway. I'll report back after using it, looks pretty slick from first impressions.

[greglief]

FWIW, thus far I like the Oregon Wildflowers app. I also own the Washington Wildflowers app, which is also published by High Country Apps. The Oregon source material is provided by the Oregon Flora Project, whereas the Washington source material is from Mark Turner (co-author of the indispensable "Wildflowers of the Pacific Northwest") and the UW Burke Museum Herbarium.

Although both apps are published by the same publisher, the Oregon version contains the following additional search criteria. The first one is EXTREMELY useful:

• Number of Petals
• Plant Size (S/M/L)
• Inflorescence Shape
• Leaf/Leaflet Margin
• Leaf/Leaflet Shape

(Both apps have Left Arrangement and Leaf Type.)

It is true that both apps have large databases. However, I appreciate having the full database available at all times because (a) I use an iPod rather than an iPhone; and (b) even if I had a smart phone, I might be visiting a location sans data service.

[outdoorfoodie]

Wish I would have read these responses before getting all excited and loading it on to my overloaded iPhone that already can't handle all my music and photos- I would have put it on the I-touch instead.... Stupid question to any techies out there...should I somehow be able to synch the purchase I just made to my iPhone, onto my itouch and/or iPad?

[Guy]

Wish I would have read these responses before getting all excited and loading it on to my overloaded iPhone that already can't handle all my music and photos- I would have put it on the I-touch instead.... Stupid question to any techies out there...should I somehow be able to synch the purchase I just made to my iPhone, onto my itouch and/or iPad?

With android you buy an app only once & can install it on multiple devices if they share the same Google account. I have many purchased apps running on three different android devices (2 phones & a tablet) Does Apple make you buy them for each device?

[Splintercat]

@outdoorfoodie - nope, just one license for apps I've bought from the Apple Store (and use on multiple platforms).

This sounds very cool, but seriously - that is a HUGE download! If you assume that the bulk of that is in images, then they've only compressed images to about 100k (did I do that math right?), which seems pretty large for a mobile app. They should be able to trim that down by 60-70% by just managing the images... I would think.

Neat idea, though! And agreed, Greg -- those search criteria seem critical! I'd hate to browse through that many images...

Tom