The Maryland Geocaching Society

Groundspeak has submitted a Geocaching app for the iPhone, you can read about it here.

It's pretty cool -- being able to launch the app and have it load up the caches closest to your current location. I've wanted this for a while now and it's under 2 weeks away. You get full "paperless" functionality (just no logging yet), but pretty much a real-time display of caches near you.

When it's released I'll let you know how it works. I'm sure others will as well!

One other thing, the iPhone can be used as a GPS (with the arrow and all) on Gen 2 iPhones. Gen 1 iPhones can only pull up local caches, but cannot use the arrow functionality since they don't have GPS. Pulling up local caches on Gen 1 iPhones uses triangulation like in Google Maps.

It's been released. Here
If I only had an iphone.

Groundspeak's page is here.

It works pretty well, though I don't get the compass since mine doesn't have the GPS in it. I installed it and when I ran it, a pop up asked if it could use my location to show caches. I tapped yes and it showed the closest 5 caches to me.

Right now it can't filter out the ones I've done and the ones I haven't, but using your home is not a good example of the use of the app right now (as the people on the gc.com forums are complaining about right now) It's great for being out somewhere and thinking "I wonder if there's a cache near here?"

Hopefully at some point, though, you'll be able to log in so it can filter out your finds and hides so they don't show up. It's still a valid 'issue' because if you travel places frequently, it may not always show the new cache placed if the others are closer. You can set the filter from 5-20 caches, however.

If anyone is planning to be at the NoVAGO event tomorrow, I can show it to you. 95% sure we'll be there.

Downloaded the app this weekend. I, too, have a gen 1 phone, but what I find helpful is to see what's in the area. Then I can load the coords into my gps if I haven't already. Its also good for reading descriptions since my Oregon has such small font. My eyes are dim, I cannot see, unless I have my specs with me.

Robert showed me how it worked at the NoVA event this weekend, very cool idea. If only it worked with the verizon network.

the app has updated today, with changes outlined in this thread:

New Features Include:

• Filters hides and prior finds with a Geocaching.com login
• New "more" option on the search results page to return more than 20 geocaches (up to 100)
• Saved items now sort by distance

Bug Fixes:

• Navigation screen correctly shows miles/km based on program settings
• Fixed crashing bug when adding certain saved items
• Coordinate format corrected
• Issue with some caches near 0 degrees longitude corrected
• General stability improvements

Free update for anyone who had the app already, $9.99 to purchase.

I downloaded the new app for my 3g phone last week. This is great. No matter where I am I can get the closest caches. I don't need to have my Palm with me only my GPS and my phone. This is really great when you are on a trip traveling from state to state. No matter where I stop I can find the closest caches. I haven't tried the phone to find one yet though. I put the coords in my GPS and go. I might try the phone to find one on a Cache and dash in MD Thanksgiving week.

The only thing that gripes me about AT& T is 'LESS BARS IN MORE PLACES " But I do love my phone.