Now Playing: F-line Streetcar Profiles on iPhone
June 3, 2010
Some of the most viewed pages on our website are the streetcar profiles we’ve created for each of the historic streetcars and trolleys of historic F-Market & Wharves line. We also post information inside each of the streetcars, this is also one of the ways Market Street Railway supports Muni’s F-line operation; providing the additional information cards and maps posted onboard you won’t find on bus lines.
While having information and photos posted onboard makes the ride more fun, it’s not as convenient as having the information in the palm of your hand; so today we’re introducing mobile streetcar profiles and a list of currently running streetcars optimized for the iPhone.
Just visit streetcar.org/mobile to see what streetcars are currently on the F-line and read more about each one. To caveat, we have not created a completely separate site so many of the links within the mobile site open our normal site. We’ve started work on a native iPhone application and hope this will be a good learning experience.
Brilliant, and once it’s fully up and running such that anyone onboard (with an iPhone) can pull up a history on the car they’re riding—especially if it adds a factoid that the onboard card omits, it will be wonderful.
Now, here’s another idea. How about selling “F”line ringtones? Ringtones of an iron monster rattling along Market. Ringtones of a Milan gong? Ringtones of a Milan air horn, perfect for your mother in law’s phone number. Ringtones of a Brookville gong and horn combined—that idiotic sound of a school recess bell combined with a toot from a VW, wholly unsuitable to a massive streetcar, but wonderful to indicate that your boss or your idiot-Ex is calling. A ringtone of the Boat Car to recall those delightful days of summer when you caught the tram unexpectedly after a round of beers at Pier 23.
Cool idea about the ringtones. This should work on ANY smart phone right? Not just iPhones?
Brendan, you’re right; it should work on any smartphone, but I’ve optimized the site for iPhone because that’s what I have.
I wish I had this when I was out in SF a few weeks ago. Even though I don’t have an IPhone, the mobile site still works on my Motorola DROID phone. Are there any plans on working on an Android app for the Droid and other Android based phones?
It is interesting to check in and see what cars are running at any given time.
Can’t wait to return next year and see the cars that are back from being restored. (Would love to see 1040 running by the time I return next year.
(BTW, While I was out in SF, I decided to become a member of the Market Street Railway!)
Okay, so you are goin’ put these on the iphone. Will this be compatible with ipod touch and what about he iPad? You double and possibly triple the use.
I used this the other day. It’s nifty, but could you link to all the streetcars so I can see what isn’t running?
Thanks for the suggestions, I’ve added the full fleet Eric.