With Version 1.4.5 released for Android, Big Red Zebra can now read NFC-Tags, especially the "Touch & Travel"-Kontaktpunkt of RMV and use this information to quickly determine your location. These "Kontaktpunkt" can be found on ticket and vending machines and also on the signposts at bus/tram stops in the Frankfurt area.

To use this feature, simply hold your Android smartphone over the "Kontaktpunkt" for a few seconds and Android will automatically recognize the NFC-Tag, telling Big Red Zebra your current location. Big Red Zebra starts automatically and the location indicator shows a small "Kontaktpunkt" symbol. Now Big Red Zebra knows what station you are at (for the next 2 minutes) and viewing the public transit schedule is now faster and easier.

This feature is available in devices with NFC hardware running Android Version 2.3 and later. Make sure that you have enabled NFC in the settings of the device.

Dear iPhone/iOS user - sorry to tell you this, but Apple doesn't support NFC.

Last monday it was WebMonday-time again and this one was a special IGNITE version, where the 15 speakers had only 5 minutes to present 20 slides which are advanced automatically.

Of course, Little Zelda had a look at the WebMonday Facebook page beforehand so she would be prepared.

The presentation slides from the IGNITE session can be found here.

During the break, Little Zelda listened to the band "Der Ramschladen" and had her picture taken.

You can find Big Red Zebra's tweets here.

Can't wait until the next WebMonday? Keep your eye out to catch the Big Red Zebra on Facebook.

Just in time for MobileCamp 2012 on 16/17 June (this weekend) we've released an update for Dresden. This version is available for free and includes the S-Bahn, trams, buses, funicular lines, ferries, local taxi services and pharmacies (including the emergency pharmacy plan for 2012). Automated positioning is also supported using either GPS or cell-id.

If you are an Android user, the Android version is available in the Android Market (now Google Play) for FREE. This supports pretty much every Android device on the market. Check it out!

A version for iPod/iPhone/iPad should be in the iTunes store by next week. If you are living or working in Dresden, or if you are travelling to Dresden to attend MobileCamp 2012, please download this free trial version of Big Red Zebra and tell us what you think of it. We're anxious to hear your feedback.

NOTE: Our technology partner SharpMind is sponsoring MobileCamp 2012 in Dresden, so please say "Hello" if you happen to be there!

The public transport schedules in Frankfurt changed effective last Sunday 11.12.2011. The most exciting (and long-awaited) change is the opening of the new Tram line 18 to serve the Frankfurter Bogen area. There are other minor schedule adjustments as well. We are working feverishly to get an updated version of Big Red Zebra available as soon as possible. At this time it looks like we will be releasing the next version in January 2012. Until we release the latest update please be aware that your version of Big Red Zebra does not have the most up-to-date schedules.

We intend to release the updated version as soon as possible. Existing customers will get an email from us as soon as the new version is available for download. Check back here often for updates on Big Red Zebra.

For more information about the schedule changes, you can see all the details at the traffiQ website.

Zelda wishes you and your family a safe and happy holiday season!

Just in time for MobileCamp 2011 on 14/15 May (this weekend) we've released another version for Dresden. This version is available for free and includes the S-Bahn, trams, buses, funicular lines, ferries, local taxi services and pharmacies (including the emergency pharmacy plan for 2011). Automated positioning is also supported using either GPS or cell-id.

The most exciting thing about this update is the new Android support. We've completely reworked the Android version so that we now support pretty much every Android phone on the market with a slick new native Android user-interface that's nice and snappy. You can download the free version from our website and we will be uploading the Android version to the Android market within the next day or two. Here are some screenshots to give you a taste of the new user interface:



Unfortunately we didn't have enough time to get a version for iPod/iPhone/iPad in the iTunes store yet, but we plan to do this very soon. If you are living or working in Dresden, or if you are travelling to Dresden to attend MobileCamp 2011, please download this free trial version of Big Red Zebra and tell us what you think of it. We're anxious to hear your feedback.

NOTE: Our technology partner SharpMind is sponsoring MobileCamp 2011 in Dresden, so please say "Hello" if you happen to be there!

Big Red Zebra version 1.3.6 is now available in the iTunes store. This version includes the latest public transport data for Frankfurt (effective 12.12.2010) and the emergency pharmacy schedules for 2011. We've also been listening to user feedback and this version contains some small improvements to improve usability and make the application more responsive. Users who have previously purchased Big Red Zebra can download this update for free.

You can find Big Red Zebra here on iTunes.

After careful testing and just in time for Christmas we have released an update to Big Red Zebra which contains the latest public transport data (effective 12.12.2010) and the most up-to-date emergency pharmacy (Notapotheken) schedules for 2011. Updated data is not the only thing that has been added to Big Red Zebra. We've also added support for some new mobile phones like the Cedar and Zylo from SonyEricsson and several Nokia phones including 5230, 5530 XpressMusic, 6350, E55, C5-00, C6-00, E5-00, X2-00, X3-00 and X6-00.

NOTE: If you are an iPhone or iPod touch owner, we will be releasing an update of Big Red Zebra for iPhone and iPod touch to the iTunes appstore in early January 2011. Please be patient.

NOTE: If you are an Android phone owner, we are currently overhauling the Android version of Big Red Zebra. The new version will be much more user-friendly and will look much more like the Android apps that you are already accustomed to. We expect to have the completely reworked version for Android devices available in the Android market sometime in January.

NOTE: If you own a new mobile phone with a "touchscreen", you may find that Big Red Zebra is not available for your device. Have no fear! We are hard at work making Big Red Zebra look great and work great on modern "touchscreen" devices. We plan on releasing an updated version of Big Red Zebra for touchscreen phones in 2011. Please let us know what model of phone you have and we will do our very best to make sure that your phone is supported.

As always, Zelda says "Thank you" for using Big Red Zebra and she wishes you a safe journey and a "good slide" into 2011.

Zelda and the gang at Big Red Zebra wish all our loyal customers a safe and happy holiday season. Enjoy the rain and snow in Frankfurt with family, friends and colleagues!

The latest update to Big Red Zebra is now in the final stages of testing by our Quality Assurance department. We expect to have it available for download in the next few days. Zelda thanks you for your patience!

The public transport schedules in Frankfurt will change effective this Sunday 12.12.2010. The most interesting change is the opening of two new U-Bahn lines, U8 and U9, to serve the Riedberg area. There are other minor schedule adjustments as well. We are working feverishly to get an updated version of Big Red Zebra available as soon as possible. At this time it looks like we won't be able to make the new version available before the actual schedule change. Until we release the latest update please be aware that your version of Big Red Zebra does not have the most up-to-date schedules.

We intend to release the updated version as soon as possible. Existing customers will get an email from us as soon as the new version is available for download. Check back here often for updates on Big Red Zebra.

For more information about the schedule changes, you can see all the details at the traffiQ website.

Finally! After many months of development and testing Big Red Zebra (Frankfurt) is now available in the iTunes store for iPod touch and iPhone. It offers the same great features as Big Red Zebra for other mobile devices and still requires NO Internet connection! Big Red Zebra can use your current location (on iPhone using GPS or WiFi/cell-ID, on iPod touch using WiFi) to show you public transport information or pharmacies around you.

Here are a few screen shots to give you an idea what Big Red Zebra looks like on your iPod touch or iPhone:



With Big Red Zebra on your iPhone or iPod touch, you've got a fully-featured public transport routing system that works everywhere - fast, easy and fun!

Get it here for the low introductory price of € 2,99.