October 12 Update: We have improved the display of the electoral vote count. We made a mistake in shrinking the size of the electoral vote numbers: This update makes the electoral vote numbers easy to read and to comprehend.
We also want to explain to the application's original users why we changed the polling data when we updated the app. In updating the application, we're partnering with Pollster.com, the most respected polling analysis company in America. In the original application, polls were collected unsystematically and interpreted by someone without experience analyzing polls. The data for the updated application are much more comprehensive: Pollster.com collects every single available poll and subjects them to expert analysis. That's why we're confident that the data in Poll Tracker '08 by SLATE is more accurate and more useful than the data in the first version of the application.
WHAT DOES POLL TRACKER '08 BY SLATE DO? Poll Tracker '08 by SLATE delivers comprehensive, up-to-the-minute information about the presidential election. The application, relying on data and analysis from Pollster.com, analyzes all available polls and produces graphs and charts about every state, including the latest McCain and Obama polling numbers, historical polling trends, and voting patterns in previous elections. It also estimates the electoral vote counts of the candidates.
Poll Tracker '08 users can sort states by how contested they are, how fresh their poll data is, or how heavily they lean to McCain or Obama. 2008 Aaron Brethorst
Poll Tracker '08 by SLATE reviewed by Users
Come on now.... I love the concept and even the execution of the application. What I HATE is the lack of updated information. In an election like this, who cares about results that are a month old. When will you actually add timely data. If I cared about the $.99 I would ask for my money back. - Poll Tracker '08 by SLATE review by Infinitejns
Good Application, Bad Data I like the application. It works smoothly and is easy to navigate. But the data is out of date. It uses data from www.electoral-vote.com.It also doesn't list the polling sources. The way the website works is they use the latest polling data for that state. Some states are polled more often that others, so it's important to know what the poll is and when it was taken. As a serious tool, its use is limited until they add this. I'd also suggest adding a map view when you rotate the screen. Also a helpful reminder of how many votes is required to win (270) would be good. You're far better off pointing Safari to www.electoral-vote.com. It works great on the iPhone. - Poll Tracker '08 by SLATE review by Dexter Davenport
The other reviews are old. 1.1 ROCKS Well worth the money. This update is a huge improvement. Tons of information and it seems to be more timely. Go McCain! - Poll Tracker '08 by SLATE review by Patronus
Don't update! I purchased this app as soon as it came out and have enjoyed checking it every day. The prior display of estimated electoral votes was clear and concise, and the app was uncluttered and quick.However, I made the mistake of upgrading to the new version, which I now regret. The new version removed the clear electoral vote scoreboard and replaced it with a confusing graph; the new "features" include Slate branding and colors everywhere. If this was a free app created by Slate, it wouldn't be that bad -- but to replace an app that we paid for with an advertisement and to remove the best features is disappointing.I hope that someone else fills the void left by this app selling out and creates a simple and quick election tracker so that I can delete this. This application went from being a five star app to a one star app in just one quick update. - Poll Tracker '08 by SLATE review by jasongill
Please bring back "Election '08" I'm a big fan of Slate, but this "upgrade" is really a downgrade. There should have been some kind of warning before changing it. - Poll Tracker '08 by SLATE review by tschott
Great , but with suggestions! This app is excellent! Love the state polls updates! Something that bothered me however was I noticed that Obama's electoral votes had gone up, but I didn't know what state had put him ahead. It would be nice to have "History of gained/lost states" section or highlight the state that put the cadidate ahead/behind in the past week.
Another section that would be nice would be an updated U.S map of red/ blue states which when tapping on a particular state would go to the polls for that state. - Poll Tracker '08 by SLATE review by JSpence80
Election '08 was FAR Better Hate this updated version by SLATE. I don't want aggregate polling numbers, I want individual polls. And the EV estimates are gone with this version.Ugh - ditch it or at least give us the option of using Election '08 again. - Poll Tracker '08 by SLATE review by Luigi d'Tank
Not keen about the update Originally gave this app four stars. I liked the original logo. Prefered the original layout, color scheme, and the simplicity. - Poll Tracker '08 by SLATE review by Matthew Wanderer
1.1 update makes it worth it The app was pretty cool at first, until many of realized that it often crashed and that the polling data was not updated often and the sources were unclear. For us political junkies, the info has to be fresh. The new update to 1.1 has made a huge difference and it is worth every penny now. National polls and their sources are now listed at the top, and the speed is much better. Download now! - Poll Tracker '08 by SLATE review by peejaydee
Terrible update. Don't update. What a terrible update. I'm going to "report a problem" in protest. - Poll Tracker '08 by SLATE review by Tabbser
Awesome! I love this app, but would like a map of the US to show regional polls not limited to state lines. - Poll Tracker '08 by SLATE review by barijazz
Don't upgrade to version 1.2 by SLATE!!! [UPDATED] The app in its version 1.1, called "Elections 08", was so much better! It showed on the main page the projections from electoral-vote.com for the actual number of Electoral Votes, and the polls were displayed in full % numbers instead of fractions (how meaningful is a fraction when polls have a margin of error of 3 or 4 points?!) Also, the main indicator is buggy: visit the Poll Sources of any state, come back to the home page and the indicator shows 160 seats in each category for both candidates. The Poll Sources are confusing and not easily accessible as they send you to pages that are "Best displayed with Adobe Flash"! How smart is that for an iPhone app?! The previous version was dispaying the poll sources directly in the list for each state.I like Slate magazine but they have no business coming into software development. They took a good app and turned it to a useless piece of code. I would have never bought the app based on the current features and screen snapshots. It is not honest for a developer to "degrade" rather than upgrade a product like that. I want my version 1.1 back!!! UPDATE: I reverted to version 1.1 but the developer decided to shut down the data stream and the polling data is no longer refreshed. It means that the developer doesn't even allow you to use the previous version of the product. They force you to switch to an inferior product whose UI and specifications don't match what was originally advertised. This should be forbidden. I'll file a complaint with Apple. - Poll Tracker '08 by SLATE review by piet999
Application’s Integrity Seriously Impugned. I have, up until the takeover of this program by its new developer, SLATE, been very impressed with the usefulness of this application; and, I would most probably have given it five stars.I am appalled by SLATE’s removal of the Electoral College’s total for each candidate. By substituting a single total for each candidate, with an amalgam of, “safe lean tossup lean tossup” figures; the exact total for each candidate is hidden: The tossup figure is not applied to either candidate. It might possibly be observed by some, that this could have been a politically motivated attempt by the trailing political party, to obscure the very obviousness of the sizable lead, which the leading party was enjoying at the date of this review.My suggestion to redeem the integrity of this application is to firstly, reintroduce the totals for each candidate, and secondly, split the tossup figure into two, clearly indicating how many “toss up” votes, each candidate is winning.For the above reasons, I am giving what should have been a five star application, one star, with the hopes that the developer will restore the integrity and honesty of the application. - Poll Tracker '08 by SLATE review by SirHavalot
Do not upgrade What the heck is slate? At least have a picture of an American flag! I wouldn't have paid for this if I ha known this update was coming
This app works as advertised, but you should know that all those button at the bottom of the screen do is sort the list of states. You can find this information for free online. For this application to be truly useful, it should also have some sort of news feed, map of the USA, more detailed chart, an maybe an icon that doesn't look as cheap. We have a great flag, you should have used all the available real estate!
Looking forward to updates that improve the quality and depth of the program. - Poll Tracker '08 by SLATE review by Wegmans
Terrible Upgrade Bring back electoral college totals!! Older interface was better. - Poll Tracker '08 by SLATE review by RickmanFlash
DO NOT UPGRADE - Unethical move by the devs The old version that you used and loved continues to work and update daily. The new "Slate Marketing Tool" isn't an upgrade. It's a new app that doesn't work as well as the app you paid for originally.Update 10/7/08: The developer has now turned off the updates to the old client so, if you want up-to-date data, you have no choice but to update. Given that this was an app we originally paid for, something is wrong. I would not have purchased Slate. I absolutely would not have puchased Election '08 if the developer said it would cease to function 1 month before the election. - Poll Tracker '08 by SLATE review by KBeat
Old Version Was Better The version I paid for (the NON Slate version) was a lot better. Please put back in the electoral college projections. - Poll Tracker '08 by SLATE review by bodagetta
Much Improved My previous review suggested skipping this program due to a lack of timeliness. The author has stepped up to the plate and improved it a thousand percent. Now I think it is well worth the price! Good Job Chimp! - Poll Tracker '08 by SLATE review by DMJ1984
Questionable Data The data for the polls seems to come from one source. I think a pro Obama source. Thus, being a McCain supporter, this app is not for you. If you want to see Obama always on top in the polls this app is for you. - Poll Tracker '08 by SLATE review by Skimap
Don't bother... The older version was really nice. The upgrade by slate is useless. - Poll Tracker '08 by SLATE review by JMG670
iPhone and iPod Touch Applications from Chimp Software
Poll Tracker '08 by SLATE - iPhone News Application October 12 Update: We have improved the display of the electoral vote count. We made a mistake in shrinking the size of the electoral vote numbers: This update makes the electoral vote numbers easy to read and to comprehend.
We also want to explain to the application's original users why we changed... Chimp Software - Released: August 19, 2008 - Vote(s): 3152
