You know those tourist shops that sell all that personalized name crap? You know, just in case you have a son named Matthew and you want a license plate keychain just for him? Or maybe a daughter named Samantha who needs a shot glass with her name on it? Well, now Apple’s App Store can fill the need for those tacky gifts in its own way with personalized calling apps.
One developer, JerryBeers.com, has launched 17 customized apps in the store today. On this page, you’ll find “Call Kevin,” “Call Sarah,” “Call Taylor,” “Call Mandy” among others. He even squeezes in nicknames for some. For example, there’s a “Call Michael” but also a “Call Mike.” Of course, you have to purchase them separately, and yes, you do have to purchase them — at $1 each.
What do they do? Well exactly what you’d expect — “Call Mike” can be programmed to call a person named Mike (or anyone else for that matter I suppose) with the click of one button on your main iPhone screen. Other apps allow one-click calling, but this is the first time I’ve seen a developer make one for individual names.
You might be wondering, “Couldn’t they have just created one app and allowed you to customize the name?” Of course, but then they might not have roped in as many of the people who actually buy the items in the tourist shops that I mentioned above.
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Are they really going to create thousands of these? Who knows — but they are taking requests. If you really have to have a Call _______, just email suport@jerrybeers.com (yes, they spelled “support” wrong) and they’ll make one for you.
You gotta love the App Store, it’s full of some amazing apps — and just as much junk.
