While usually I report on some terrific apps on the Windows Phone Store (and some not-so-good ones too) here on Windows Phone Central, this post is different. Today I share my first Windows Phone app with the readers - the community that's more aware and usually critical, in a useful way.
On a daily basis, we look up details of a national highway in India, a region associated with a license plate number, or MICR code of your bank branch. A couple of months ago, I set out to build a one-stop app where one could find all these 'codes of India', and hence the name, INcode.
In the first version, the app features six databases – Airports, PIN Codes, National Highways, Passport Seva Kendra, Regional Transport Office (RTO), and Banks - MICR/IFSC. The app provides comprehensive details about these with an intuitive, modern user experience.
You can search within the databases as you'd prefer. For example, you could search for a city to find its PIN code or do a reverse search as well. The format or type of your search keyword wouldn't get in your way, or so I hope! The app is free, and does not include any ads. It completely works offline, so you don't need an active data connection.
There are so many occasions you could use the app. If you're going for a road trip, search the state you are headed to for the highways passing through or the highway number you are taking to check the route. Transferring money to a bank account? Search for the MICR or IFSC of the bank branch or use the banks database for a comprehensive directory of banks.
All the databases used in the app are available as open data under the Government of India, or its ministries. Also, big props to Sumit Dutta, the prolific Windows developer, for all the dev support.
As we go along, I'd like to include more databases and features based on your suggestions, yet keeping the app simple. The databases would be periodically update and sanitized too.
Download the INcode app for Windows Phone 8 devices from the Windows Phone Store or check out the details here. Give it a whirl, and let me know how you like it in the comments, or drop me a mail at ab@baxiabhishek.info if you've got some feedback I could use. Also, shameless plug, spread the word, and if you find the app useful, don't forget to rate and review it on the Windows Phone Store.
