ABContacts is great

[iFerd]

In another thread the developer of ABContacts was discussing the trouble there is in getting attention for serious applications among everything there is in the App Store. She sent promo codes to (some?) responders to her question. I received such a code.

This was an application I knew nothing about before I saw that thread, and after reading the description, I wasn't sure I needed it either. But I am certainly glad I had the chance to give it a try. It has some exceptionally handy enhancements of the native iPhone Contacts application. They include being able to manage groups directly on the phone, seeing company names under the names of people, the ability to address email to all members of a group, and several quick and easy ways to deal with contacts.

My main reason for this post is to recommend that people look it over. There is a lite version, which probably would help in evaluating the full version. Reading the user guide on the application web site really helps to understand what it will do if you can't decide whether to take the leap, and if you do get it, be sure to read the user guide too, so you don't miss the features it provides.

I have no connection to the developer and no financial interest in how this application sells. I'm a pleasantly surprised user who has put this on the main home screen in place of the native Contacts application, which I had relegated to a storage location.

 

[SpaceKitty]

Thanks but the built in contacts app is good enough.

 

[semi5]

The biggest problem for me to use an app like this is that I access my contact list (and most phone functions) by double clicking the home button. If I was able to replace the default contact tab in this screen with a 3rd party replacement, I would maybe consider it.

 

[jmccray]

In another thread the developer of ABContacts was discussing the trouble there is in getting attention for serious applications among everything there is in the App Store. She sent promo codes to (some?) responders to her question. I received such a code.

This was an application I knew nothing about before I saw that thread, and after reading the description, I wasn't sure I needed it either. But I am certainly glad I had the chance to give it a try. It has some exceptionally handy enhancements of the native iPhone Contacts application. They include being able to manage groups directly on the phone, seeing company names under the names of people, the ability to address email to all members of a group, and several quick and easy ways to deal with contacts.

My main reason for this post is to recommend that people look it over. There is a lite version, which probably would help in evaluating the full version. Reading the user guide on the application web site really helps to understand what it will do if you can't decide whether to take the leap, and if you do get it, be sure to read the user guide too, so you don't miss the features it provides.

I have no connection to the developer and no financial interest in how this application sells. I'm a pleasantly surprised user who has put this on the main home screen in place of the native Contacts application, which I had relegated to a storage location.

Yes it is an awesome app, and the developer is very responsive. This has replaced the default contacts app on my phone, and almost my dialer (everything except visual voice mail). This is one of my favorite apps!!!!

 

[iFerd]

The biggest problem for me to use an app like this is that I access my contact list (and most phone functions) by double clicking the home button. If I was able to replace the default contact tab in this screen with a 3rd party replacement, I would maybe consider it.

Interesting and valid point. I have double clicking the home button take me to favorites, which still seems compatible to me with also using this app for other contact management. But I agree it would be good if it could capture that double click.

 

[iFerd]

Thanks but the built in contacts app is good enough.

That was what I thought too. Not anymore. But to each his/her own.

 

[Luminator]

Ok, I finely got a chance to use this app, so I'm bringing this back around. I must say that the developer did a great job with this.
For those with a large amount of contacts, this is an app for you. The thing that really sells this app for me is the Smart Groupings. I have large amount of contacts of various types: Family, Friends, Coworkers, Professional etc.. and Smart Groupings does a great job at managing these with rules. The rules that can be setup are endless.
For the average user, the basic contact app will fill the need, however for the business user, this app will do so much more.

 

[njpodder]

I also got the opportunity to try this thanks to the developer allowing me the pleasure, probably because I was one of those who responded to that thread with "Hell no, the apple contacts menu works fine for me." I am so glad I got the chance to try ABContacts, because it is an amazing app if you have a large number of contacts. I really love the smart list feature, and I am horrible with dates, so I love how it will tell me when a friend/co-worker/customer has an upcoming birthday or other special event so I an plan accordingly. I am impressed how the dialer works as a search field as well. Using the dialer, you can type out the numerical code for someoen's anem to bring them up i na search. For example, typing 373 will bring up anyone who has that phone number, and also Fred, since it recognizes the alpha values of those strokes as well. I admit, it is a bit annoying to have this app, the contacts app, and the phone app all on the device, but I never once used Apples contacts app (Since I could access it form the phone app anyway), but now I use this one all the time.

 

[nutsnbolts]

You guys are probably missing the point here. The purpose of ABContacts is the ability to provide you the "features" that were missing or should have been in the native contacts application. All the other "cool features" within ABContacts are just the cherry on top.

So, yes, ABContacts is essential in my book because it captures information (contacts), like Outlook or any other "mail" applications, in terms of, contacts record keeping purposes.

For those who don't see a benefit in ABContacts are people who come from old phone background where a name and a number is all you need. Perhaps throw in a speed dial and there you have it.

For those who manages more than that (which mirror many aspects of outlook, gmail, contacts, etc.), they will see a benefit to this.

 

[darkpaw]

I was one of the guys who Andrea gave a promo code to. I held back on reviewing the app for a few days so I could get used to it and see what it was all about.

ABContacts fills the gaps in Apple's Contacts app. Those of you saying you don't know what the big deal is, etc. are missing the point entirely, as nutsnbolts has said.

I have 1300 contacts on my iPhone; a lot of friends and a shedload of business contacts. I need quick access to them. I need to find people quickly - ABContacts lets me do that. Smart Groups fill this gap. Apple's Contacts app does not.

There are many more features in this app, like the contact's company name being listed under their name. It's stable and hasn't crashed once. Scrolling through 1300 contacts is a cinch.

Apple's Contacts app is now on the last page of my home screen, and ABContacts is on the top row of the first page. It's that good, that it replaced it.

Hey, if you don't need all these extra features, then go ahead and stick with Contacts, but if you ever need to get access to a contact really quickly, ABContacts is where it's at.

 

[Ashyukun]

I've been quite pleased with ABContacts as well, and have to agree that the developer is quite responsive and helpful. ABContacts does do an excellent job of filling in the gaps in the stock app's capabilities. Heck, the simple ability to send an email to everyone in the group without having to look up each contact would make it worth the money in my book, and things like the smart lists and the ability to add in new contacts quicker than through the stock app push it up a good bit more. I have a relatively small contacts list- and even for me it's still quite useful and worthwhile....

 

[iFerd]

No one has mentioned yet that it also allows you to show photos associated with contacts right on the main screen, if you wish. (I keep finding new things as I explore the options menu.)

 

[Knowlege Bomb]

I've been quite pleased with ABContacts as well, and have to agree that the developer is quite responsive and helpful. ABContacts does do an excellent job of filling in the gaps in the stock app's capabilities. Heck, the simple ability to send an email to everyone in the group without having to look up each contact would make it worth the money in my book, and things like the smart lists and the ability to add in new contacts quicker than through the stock app push it up a good bit more. I have a relatively small contacts list- and even for me it's still quite useful and worthwhile....

This is the selling point for me.

 

[darkpaw]

No one has mentioned yet that it also allows you to show photos associated with contacts right on the main screen, if you wish. (I keep finding new things as I explore the options menu.)

There's an Options menu?! (Only joking.)

 

[iFerd]

There's an Options menu?! (Only joking.)

Right, but if anyone hasn't found it, it is in Settings, not the app itself. It really is worth the effort to find it.

 

[TheZimm]

I really love ABContacts. I agree with the emailing everyone in a group thing. So useful.

Zym