Useful tools for group communications, but a confusing interface

Apple’s default app does an adequate job of managing your contacts, but adequate isn’t always good enough. By adding automatic updates to contact information behind the scenes, Addappt goes a needed few steps farther. That is, if you can get everyone you know to use it.

Fortunately, since it’s a free download, you don’t have to get your contacts to pay for the privilege. But there are better reasons to use it. As it tracks when others change their information, you get realtime updates that don’t require you to do a thing. That makes it especially useful and convenient for businesses, but note that it takes some patience to figure out how the app works.

Addappt’s interface is not always intuitive (pictures)
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Navigating the app

Unfortunately, Addappt does not get off to a good start. The interface is not very intuitive, and it took me awhile to even figure out how to use it. Your home screen is basically a list with buttons to look at your personal contact info, connection requests from other people, a list of users that are already connected, and a group manager.

You start by verifying your email, which is a security measure to ensure that the person changing your contact information is actually you. From there, the app lets you start inviting friends. You can either send a request to other users of Addappt, or send an invite to other people to download the app using your personal iPhone contact list.

Once you and another person or group of people are set up, you can start using Addappt to make your contact list more useful.

Great for business environments

Addappt improves upon the standard iOS contact list by letting you easily create group discussions via iMessage, send mass emails, or even share photos with a group.

Setting up a group is simple, provided your contacts have filled out all of their contact info. For example, say I wanted to create a CNET group. As long as my co-workers have indicated they work at CNET in their personal contact info, I can perform a search for CNET, and all the people who list CNET as their employer will show up. From there I can touch a “select all” button, then save the group. Now, I’ll be able to select that group to send out a mass communication.