[Merged] Interest in an iPhone or iPad App for MacRumors.com

[SteveKnobs]

I have done away with site based apps. I now use Reeder app because it consolidates all of them into one place. Its awesome.

Do you get MR on that app??

[cecoleman]

Do you get MR on that app??

What is MR? You can get anything with a RSS feed. It syncs with Google Reader, you can use the Reeder app for iPhone snf Mac and it syncs across them all. You always know what you've read.

[azentropy]

I really miss LetMeKnow as it was by far the best app for alerting me on changes or updated articles on websites even if they used RSS or not. I haven't found a RSS alert app that comes close to as timely of notification. So in the MR case I'd like an app for more timely alerts of topics I care about.

[gtmac]

Tapatalk works great for me on my favorite forums.

[SandboxGeneral]

What is MR?

MR = MacRumors.com :rolleyes:

[cecoleman]

Of course you get Mac rumors with Reeder. Just get wa Google Reader account and add MR RSs feed it, then use programs like this,

[Geffen]

Is there an actual app for Mac Rumors? or is just Tapatalk or Forum Runner one of the better apps to use to access Mac Rumors on my iphone 4 ?

[Surely]

http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=558210

[nunes013]

there is a non official one for a dollar. you can also use the mobile site. an official app is in the works though.

[TrulyYuki]

What's the best way to upload photos to MacRumors forums via iPad/iPhone?
While we wait so patientlyfor the iPad MacRumors app.

[Evmanw]

there is a non official one for a dollar. you can also use the mobile site. an official app is in the works though.

What is the non official one called?

[wordoflife]

What is the non official one called?

I would assume he is talking about Tapatalk

[Mad Mac Maniac]

I wonder how this is going....

[gatech2]

Does this forum have a iPhone and iPad app?
Have searched Apple store but haven't found one.
Thanks.

[Compile 'em all]

Nope. No iPhone. No iPad. They took some 10 years to do a redesign that looks like it came straight out of the early nighties. And they didn't even bother updating the forums to be a bit more coherent with the new "color scheme"*.

So, to summarize, don't hold your breath and be thankful the website actually works. Anything that involves them paying a couple of grands for a dev to do something worthwhile won't happen. I gave up a long time ago.

*I gotta give it to MacRumors though, they updated the forums to have an amazing earth-shattering sourly-missed feature: voting up/down posts.

[Mad Mac Maniac]

It's comical how slow MR is to make this. Especially when arn expressed interested nearly 3 years ago. This could be so good if they wanted it to be. Even on the iPad its kinda rough using the forums. I think that's my main concern for the app. Viewing the articles is decent enough but any navigating around on the site/forums usually requires a lot of zooming to nit the right buttons

At least create a HTML 5 web app...

[allbrokeup]

What I think is funny, is that people are still fretting over this almost 4 years since the idea's inception. It's not going to happen.

[Mad Mac Maniac]

What I think is funny, is that people are still fretting over this almost 4 years since the idea's inception. It's not going to happen.

actually almost 3 years. The app store came out in 2008.

I can't speak for anyone else, but I know the reason that I am expenctant is because 9 months ago arn stated that he hired a team to begin working on the MR app. He also responded to me on twitter on 10/17/10 (admittedly 8 months ago) stating that the app was still coming. I haven't heard anything since then, but a definite work in progress 8 months ago gives a lot more prospect than you are indicating

[nunes013]

What is the non official one called?

I would assume he is talking about Tapatalk

actually if you typed in macrumors into the app store it would come up but now it is gone. i think macrumors made them take it down. i think it was called apple news or something like that. the icon was white with the macrumors logo. it basically was the mobile site put into an app. its not tapatalk.

however techwire is good and has a lot of different rumor sites if there are a couple you guys like to go on. im hoping the official app comes soon. i saw some mockups and they look very nice :)

[Mad Mac Maniac]

I guess this is not gonna happen. oh well.

[arn]

I won't make any promises of timeframe. But our devs are busy making a TouchArcade app. After that we're going to do a MacRumors app.

arn

[Darth.Titan]

I won't make any promises of timeframe. But our devs are busy making a TouchArcade app. After that we're going to do a MacRumors app.

arn

Great. Yet another dedicated app that isn't necessary because you can just go to the freakin' web page.

I love MacRumors, but I really don't think it needs a dedicated app.

[arn]

Great. Yet another dedicated app that isn't necessary because you can just go to the freakin' web page.

I love MacRumors, but I really don't think it needs a dedicated app.

I pretty much agree with you. The app won't be just a webkit view. If we wanted that we could have easily released an app years ago.

arn

[Hellhammer]

Great. Yet another dedicated app that isn't necessary because you can just go to the freakin' web page.

I love MacRumors, but I really don't think it needs a dedicated app.

Not to be offensive but the MR mobile page isn't exactly top notch (the forums especially). Tapatalk is great though and has reduced my need for dedicated app.

[MacNut]

The current MR mobile page is really bad. I have to switch to the regular forum view. Why is a touch arcade app of higher priority?

[Teh Don Ditty]

The current MR mobile page is really bad. I have to switch to the regular forum view. Why is a touch arcade app of higher priority?

That's easy. More money. Probably more page views.

[MacNut]

That's easy. More money. Probably more page views.This site is not hurting for page views. The mother ship should should get the fixes before the baby ships do.

[Teh Don Ditty]

This site is not hurting for page views. The mother ship should should get the fixes before the baby ships do.

Page views = money.

MR mobile site was recently redone. It looks exactly like the main site, except slimmed down. I actually enjoy using the mobile site.

The money is in games/software. Gaming on iOS is exploding, thus a need to focus their time, money and energy there.

[WildCowboy]

That's easy. More money. Probably more page views.

Don't want to speak officially, but imagine TouchArcade is simply a better type of site for a dedicated app. With lots of reviews on the site, an app would be a nice way to create a searchable database.

I'm not involved with that planning, but I think they have some good ideas in store.

We're hoping to do some cool things with the MR app, but I think TA is a better opportunity.

Can't imagine it has anything to do with page views/money, as MR is a much bigger site than TA. Pretty sure it just comes down to what translates best to an app. That's why AppShopper was first to get the app treatment.

[Teh Don Ditty]

Don't want to speak officially, but imagine TouchArcade is simply a better type of site for a dedicated app. With lots of reviews on the site, an app would be a nice way to create a searchable database.

I'm not involved with that planning, but I think they have some good ideas in store.

We're hoping to do some cool things with the MR app, but I think TA is a better opportunity.

Can't imagine it has anything to do with page views/money, as MR is a much bigger site than TA. Pretty sure it just comes down to what translates best to an app. That's why AppShopper was first to get the app treatment.

I wouldn't expect anyone to comment officially or unofficially on the cash money these sites make. You are right, of course. It's vast treasure trove of glory on that site.

Bigger yes, but you can certainly generate more revenue from TA. Cross linking the sites would be beneficial as well.

AppShopper is a bit of no brainer as an app. It is extremely useful.

[12dylan34]

Would an app geared around a rumor site which publishes information regarding unreleased products make it through Apple's control and onto the App Store?

There are apps for sites like Engadget and TUAW and they report on all kinds of Apple rumors.

[tobefirst]

There are apps for sites like Engadget and TUAW and they report on all kinds of Apple rumors.

Thanks for answering my 3-year-old question, which was posted just a couple months after the app store opened, and well before either of the sites you mentioned had apps. I've been waiting around all this time to know if it was possible! d-:

[Mad Mac Maniac]

Thanks for answering my 3-year-old question, which was posted just a couple months after the app store opened, and well before either of the sites you mentioned had apps. I've been waiting around all this time to know if it was possible! d-:

I sure hope you can finally sleep easy tonight :p

[tobefirst]

I sure hope you can finally sleep easy tonight :p

Heck no! No sleep for me tonight! I have to start on my Apple rumors app! I finally know it will be approved!

[arn]

I wouldn't expect anyone to comment officially or unofficially on the cash money these sites make. You are right, of course. It's vast treasure trove of glory on that site.

Bigger yes, but you can certainly generate more revenue from TA. Cross linking the sites would be beneficial as well.


People tend to project their own values to others. At least thats what I think when people point to 'more money' as our motivation to do everything.

I've said it many times before. The reason the MacRumors app never had a huge priority was that every other News/Blog app sucks, and I've never seen the appeal of using any of them. Other people might actually use the TUAW or Engadget apps, but I find them pointless.

The other reason for the delay was the fact that we were (looong) working on a major site redesign and backend change. Doing an app, just to break it and have to rewrite the backend didn't make sense.

The TouchArcade app does make more sense since it's a database of reviews. But hopefully we'll make the MR app more useful than an RSS reader.

arn

[Btrthnezr3]

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I would love to be able to customize alerts for different types of new articles or when someone replies to a thread I'm interested in. Is that something the future could hold? Or a dumb idea?

[arn]

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I would love to be able to customize alerts for different types of new articles or when someone replies to a thread I'm interested in. Is that something the future could hold? Or a dumb idea?

that level of forum integration might be tricky.

new articles seems likely

arn

[Teh Don Ditty]

People tend to project their own values to others. At least thats what I think when people point to 'more money' as our motivation to do everything.

I've said it many times before. The reason the MacRumors app never had a huge priority was that every other News/Blog app sucks, and I've never seen the appeal of using any of them. Other people might actually use the TUAW or Engadget apps, but I find them pointless.

The other reason for the delay was the fact that we were (looong) working on a major site redesign and backend change. Doing an app, just to break it and have to rewrite the backend didn't make sense.

The TouchArcade app does make more sense since it's a database of reviews. But hopefully we'll make the MR app more useful than an RSS reader.

arn

I'm not projecting anything. It's your business, it has done well and it'll continue to do well (as that's the point of any business :) ) I personally have to thank Apple and this site for giving me many friends, my wife and my child.

I think most people want to access the forums from an app rather than from the mobile site. You do have a valid point regarding News/Blog apps. It's essentially having an app for the sake of having an app.

[Mad Mac Maniac]

I've said it many times before. The reason the MacRumors app never had a huge priority was that every other News/Blog app sucks, and I've never seen the appeal of using any of them. Other people might actually use the TUAW or Engadget apps, but I find them pointless.


For me, it was always more about the forums. Sure article viewing/browsing could be marginally better, but as you mention isn't really a huge appeal over using safari.

But the forums is where the iPhone and iPad give very sub-par experiences.

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I would love to be able to customize alerts for different types of new articles or when someone replies to a thread I'm interested in. Is that something the future could hold? Or a dumb idea?

I would like to see that also. Notifications for new posts in subscirbed threads should be possible, even if that means you have to subscribe to the thread explicitly on the app.

Also, noticifications when you are quoted would be great, although it may be more difficult to implement.

[Surely]

For me, it was always more about the forums. Sure article viewing/browsing could be marginally better, but as you mention isn't really a huge appeal over using safari.

But the forums is where the iPhone and iPad give very sub-par experiences.


I guess it's just a matter of personal preference. I prefer the full site on my iPhone and iPad.

/shrug

[Mad Mac Maniac]

I'm not projecting anything. It's your business, it has done well and it'll continue to do well (as that's the point of any business :) ) I personally have to thank Apple and this site for giving me many friends, my wife and my child.
I think most people want to access the forums from an app rather than from the mobile site. You do have a valid point regarding News/Blog apps. It's essentially having an app for the sake of having an app.

you beat me to the punch. If only I hadn't gotten stuck in a conversation... :p

although I'm a bit confused how apple and/or macrumors gave you your wife and child.. let alone friends. Unless you work(ed) at apple

[Teh Don Ditty]

you beat me to the punch. If only I hadn't gotten stuck in a conversation... :p

although I'm a bit confused how apple and/or macrumors gave you your wife and child.. let alone friends. Unless you work(ed) at apple

Apple for the products, Arn and his team for the site, and the private forums :)

[Tilpots]

I use the MR app on my Phone for reading the FP stories and the blogs, then I switch to the Safari app to check the threads I've posted in and watch Forum Spy.

I don't like the feel of the mobile site for the forums, it feels too watered down. Forum Spy though, really is the key for me. If MR had an app that had the Forum Spy, I wouldn't leave it.

The community's great, sure. But I think FS one of the most unique and interesting things about this site. It's so real time. It's live and moving and really gives you a pulse of what's going on with Apple and the world thru the community's eyes. No MR app would suffice without the FS.

Knox, making it happen. What up, Knox? :cool:

[arn]

I use the MR app on my Phone for reading the FP stories and the blogs, then I switch to the Safari app to check the threads I've posted in and watch Forum Spy.

I don't like the feel of the mobile site for the forums, it feels too watered down. Forum Spy though, really is the key for me. If MR had an app that had the Forum Spy, I wouldn't leave it.

The community's great, sure. But I think FS one of the most unique and interesting things about this site. It's so real time. It's live and moving and really gives you a pulse of what's going on with Apple and the world thru the community's eyes. No MR app would suffice without the FS.


Great feedback.

arn

[mickbab]

I use the MR app on my Phone for reading the FP stories and the blogs, then I switch to the Safari app to check the threads I've posted in and watch Forum Spy.

I don't like the feel of the mobile site for the forums, it feels too watered down. Forum Spy though, really is the key for me. If MR had an app that had the Forum Spy, I wouldn't leave it.

The community's great, sure. But I think FS one of the most unique and interesting things about this site. It's so real time. It's live and moving and really gives you a pulse of what's going on with Apple and the world thru the community's eyes. No MR app would suffice without the FS.

Knox, making it happen. What up, Knox? :cool:

I agree, really like the Forum Spy. The ability to hide unwanted forums and easily see subscribed threads is really great and just makes the forum experience quite unique. I think it probably gets people more involved in the forums too (it often has for me) as a thread might just pop up which someone is interested in, which they might not have seen were they just looking around for something specific in the forums.

[BearGaur]

I wanted a MacRumors Forums App on my phone so I could get to it easily and, primarily, so I can be told with one of those nifty little red badges when someone replied to a post I had made. But to my dismay I couldn't find it.

So I have two questions:

1: I know that sometimes there are forums around that have several names and sub forums, so to speak, that lead to the same general forum. So is this the case and dose an App like this exist as a different name than MacRumors?

2: If one doesn't exist, which is probably the case, I would like to ask if someone out there could please make it for all of us? It would be greatly appreciated by I'm sure many more people than just myself.

[Calidude]

Tapatalk

[verwon]

I use TapaTalk, works with this site and many others, you can customize certain notifications and stuff.

[mrsir2009]

I just go to the mobile site. It allows me to view the news pages and read/post on the forums easily :)

[lulla01]

Tapatalk

[irDigital0l]

Tapatalk works great

[roxxette]

There used to have a macrumors app if i remember well but i juse use tapatalk plus a lot of forums support the script !

[maril1111]

tapatalk or the mobile site both do the job

[Zxxv]

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The mobile site is a pain. Subscribing to a topic automatically subscribes you to instant email notifications. You need to access the main site to edit the subscription. So you need two book marks. After I hit subscribe I have to goto my subscribed bookmark and uncheck instant and mark it no email. A right pain in the ass.

[Hellhammer]

There used to have a macrumors app if i remember well but i juse use tapatalk plus a lot of forums support the script !

There has never been an official MacRumors app. There was a ripoff which was basically a tweaked webGUI (or something like that) but Arn contacted Apple and got it removed from App Store as it was violating copyrights.

[roxxette]

There has never been an official MacRumors app. There was a ripoff which was basically a tweaked webGUI (or something like that) but Arn contacted Apple and got it removed from App Store as it was violating copyrights.

Damm ! wondering why the app was not around anymore but thats why :)

[BearGaur]

are there any that work well and are free. I don't want to shell out money just to find I don't personally like the App. It happens way too much. Maybe I'm just picky.

[owensky]

Hey guys,
I was just wondering if there is an app for MacRumors on the iPhone?

Thanks

[toasty hoodie]

Hey guys,
I was just wondering if there is an app for MacRumors on the iPhone?

Thanks

I use TapaTalk to access the forum on my iPhone/iPad

[maliu]

I second Tapa talk. I really like it

[Big D 51]

I second Tapa talk. I really like it

+3. Most used app for me.

[troop231]

So what's the exact reason for there not being an official MR app? There is plenty of coding talent here and it would be a very nice app.

Basically, I don't see the reason NOT to have one. :confused:

[SandboxGeneral]

So what's the exact reason for there not being an official MR app? There is plenty of coding talent here and it would be a very nice app.

Basically, I don't see the reason NOT to have one. :confused:

I haven't a clue, but I would guess because no one has really stepped up and taken the reins to do it. Or maybe someone has and Arn & Co. didn't feel it was a good idea because they have the mobile site and Tapatalk are good alternatives. I dunno... just a guess on my part.

[troop231]

I haven't a clue, but I would guess because no one has really stepped up and taken the reins to do it. Or maybe someone has and Arn & Co. didn't feel it was a good idea because they have the mobile site and Tapatalk are good alternatives. I dunno... just a guess on my part.

Heck, I would be happy to be on the "team" to do it (there are many app devs here), I think one nice feature that could be in the app is the MR Buyer's Guide.

[SandboxGeneral]

Heck, I would be happy to be on the "team" to do it (there are many app devs here), I think one nice feature that could be in the app is the MR Buyer's Guide.

If I were a developer, I'd volunteer too.

[Mad Mac Maniac]

So what's the exact reason for there not being an official MR app? There is plenty of coding talent here and it would be a very nice app.

Basically, I don't see the reason NOT to have one. :confused:

I totally agree with you. Unfortunately Arn does not. There was a time where he started gathering a team to create a MR app, but then he put TouchArcade as the priority. I doubt there is currently any work being done on this, even though TouchArcade already has their app released.

Basically, Arn doesn't see the point of an app. He would just rather keep just the mobile site. I guess it's easier to push updates, it's universal, etc.


But the mobile site isn't really very good. Plus the forums are atrocious. There is no way (that I'm aware) to post pictures. quoting is pretty abysmal.

[Tilpots]

But the mobile site isn't really very good. Plus the forums are atrocious. There is no way (that I'm aware) to post pictures. quoting is pretty abysmal.

You're being waaaaaaaay to nice. The mobile version is truly a piece of ****, if we're being honest. I feel like we, the MR users, have been extremely patient with the lack of an app for the iPhone and iPad. This is bordering on ridiculous. It's like they're not paying attention to the stories they post about the popularity of these two products and how often they're used to access the Internet.

Seriously guys. What'll take? Are you waiting for some sort of campaign? Do we need a petition. Poll us. Ask us. Check your stats. WE WANT AN APP!

Devs are even volunteering their services. I just don't get it. :confused:

[troop231]

I think maybe I will make one for my own personal use :rolleyes:

[SandboxGeneral]

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Regarding the mobile site, I know the admins are looking at overhauling it, but I don't know anything more about it or when.

[arn]

I totally agree with you. Unfortunately Arn does not. There was a time where he started gathering a team to create a MR app, but then he put TouchArcade as the priority. I doubt there is currently any work being done on this, even though TouchArcade already has their app released.

Basically, Arn doesn't see the point of an app. He would just rather keep just the mobile site. I guess it's easier to push updates, it's universal, etc.

My original point still stands. Every News-site app is pretty much crap. Forum integration is a trickier task -- it seems like that's the motivation for people asking for an app?

People also seem to underestimate the amount of effort a proper app takes. TouchArcade app's not out yet, but a MacRumors app will be the next. But we want to make it worth downloading.

If you want a MacRumors app, please leave specific feature requests here. I can't promise they will make it in, but when people say "I want a MacRumors App", I'm picturing they want the TUAW or Endadget App with MacRumors content.

arn

[WildCowboy]

Yes, it's in the plans. No, it's not underway.

We have limited resources on the app development front and a number of projects underway. We prioritized app development based on which sites would benefit most from having apps, and that meant that AppShopper came first. TouchArcade is currently underway...it's in beta testing and coming along great. Both of those sites have significant database/tracking/review/cross-referencing components that are very well-served by apps.

MacRumors should be getting the app treatment next. We've been working closely with our developer team (Flexibits) on the first two apps and they're doing terrific things. The MacRumors app should be no different, but it's going to take some time. We're not going to just throw something together for the sake of having an app.

We know you're waiting, and we really want an app out there too, but we're going to do it right and that simply takes time and money (and a fair bit of both).

Edit: Or what arn said. :D

[troop231]

Yes, it's in the plans. No, it's not underway.

We have limited resources on the app development front and a number of projects underway. We prioritized app development based on which sites would benefit most from having apps, and that meant that AppShopper came first. TouchArcade is currently underway...it's in beta testing and coming along great. Both of those sites have significant database/tracking/review/cross-referencing components that are very well-served by apps.

MacRumors should be getting the app treatment next. We've been working closely with our developer team (Flexibits) on the first two apps and they're doing terrific things. The MacRumors app should be no different, but it's going to take some time. We're not going to just throw something together for the sake of having an app.

We know you're waiting, and we really want an app out there too, but we're going to do it right and that simply takes time and money (and a fair bit of both).

Edit: Or what arn said. :D

Why bother to outsource it though when there is plenty of great talent here that would do it for nothing, and feel more involved with contributing to MR. Some people really do enjoy this site so much that they would give their time to do it, I know I would/will.

[arn]

Why bother to outsource it though when there is plenty of great talent here that would do it for nothing, and feel more involved with contributing to MR. Some people really do enjoy this site so much that they would give their time to do it, I know I would/will.

Because you get what you pay for?

No offense to anyone who has offered to contribute, but we've received a few offers for apps in the past, and the example work hasn't been very high quality.

App development takes a lot of time and effort, so it makes sense to pay someone to do it right.

arn

[troop231]

Because you get what you pay for?

No offense to anyone who has offered to contribute, but we've received a few offers for apps in the past, and the example work hasn't been very high quality.

App development takes a lot of time and effort, so it makes sense to pay someone to do it right.

arn

Why not ask the users of the site what they want in the app through a poll or something. It's the users that make this site what it is and worthwhile after all.

[arn]

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Because you get what you pay for?

No offense to anyone who has offered to contribute, but we've received a few offers for apps in the past, and the example work hasn't been very high quality.

App development takes a lot of time and effort, so it makes sense to pay someone to do it right.

arn

Why not ask the users of the site what they want in the app through a poll or something. It's the users that make this site what it is and worthwhile after all.

I've asked a couple of times in this thread, no one has responded.

arn

[Tilpots]

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I've asked a couple of times in this thread, no one has responded.

arn

That's not true. You should start a new thread and ask for suggestions, if that's really what you're after. Close this thread, because after 4 years, it's obvious there's interest.

[TwinCities Dan]

The iOS revolution is passing us by! :rolleyes: :p


That said, I'd rather visit the full site via the browser but I can see why people want a dedicated app. Being that this is a site based around Apple, it doesn't seem like an unreasonable expectation. Four years is ALOT of R&D by any standard.

[Mad Mac Maniac]

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I've asked a couple of times in this thread, no one has responded.

arn

I'll get us started. Some of these things may be able to be handled wih a redesigned site but not all

Notifications
Main stories
iOS blog
Mac blog
Replies
Subscribed threads

Forum changes
This is difficult to describe, and I understand it would be difficult to design, but there is a LOT that needs to change to make this better. All the buttons at the top, smilies on the side, submit button, etc were all designed for a small precise mouse pointer. Fix all the tiny next/back and page numbers. ability to upload images.

Really The whole site needs to be redesigned for touch. I'm imagining the news articles being collapsible and expandable with a touch. Things like that. I mean honestly if a touch web version was created I'd be happy. Notifications would be nice, but I do understand the convenience of just accessing MR from safari

[DESNOS]

Because you get what you pay for?

No offense to anyone who has offered to contribute, but we've received a few offers for apps in the past, and the example work hasn't been very high quality.

App development takes a lot of time and effort, so it makes sense to pay someone to do it right.

arn

Just get someone to start a repository for you guys... I'm sure many of us would take some time from whatever projects we're working on to contribute code. There are some pretty amazing apps out there that are open source: FireFox, Google Chrome and Darwin (Mac OS X's core) to name a few notable ones.

It's also worth considering how easy it is to develop a basic iOS app these days. Get even a handful of devs contributing code to a repository and you should easily be able to do amazing things.

[(marc)]

Just get someone to start a repository for you guys... I'm sure many of us would take some time from whatever projects we're working on to contribute code. There are some pretty amazing apps out there that are open source: FireFox, Google Chrome and Darwin (Mac OS X's core) to name a few notable ones.

It's also worth considering how easy it is to develop a basic iOS app these days. Get even a handful of devs contributing code to a repository and you should easily be able to do amazing things.

This.

Arn, why don't you make it open source? There have even been people in this thread who have started coding their own apps. I guess they stopped because you popped in and said that you'd be hiring "professionals" to do the job.

[kainjow]

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vB 4's new mobile style pretty much solves this. Or Tapatalk.

I still don't really see the point of an app. Mobile sites are way more flexible as they're automatically cross platform and cheaper to develop.

And don't forget the forums are vBulletin with a few hacks installed. You can't just "make an app for that" like you're parsing an RSS feed. Much more complicated.

[anti-microsoft]

Hi all,

It's been a while. I'm really busy at the moment, but in a couple of weeks I'd be able and willing to design some design mockups for the app. I'm glad there is still interest in a Macrumors app as I think it would help mobile users gain access to content in a much easier fashion whilst also helping Macrumors grow as a community.

I'm looking forward to further development on this project, be it via Arn or any other official at Macrumors or be it any of the forum members.

[slrandall]

hey guys.

If we did this, I'd want MacRumors to control the app as an "official" version -- to avoid conflicts down the line. If there are any developers who thinks they could do this sort of app for hire, contact me.

arn@normalkid.com

Thanks
arn

Did this ever come to anything?

[mrsir2009]

I really hope a MacRumors app does come to light :)

[SandboxGeneral]

I still don't really see the point of an app. Mobile sites are way more flexible as they're automatically cross platform and cheaper to develop.

And don't forget the forums are vBulletin with a few hacks installed. You can't just "make an app for that" like you're parsing an RSS feed. Much more complicated.

I have to agree here. While an app would be neat, I can only imagine the workload and difficulty in first, getting it running and second, keeping it updated.

A good mobile site version seems like the better route to take. The current mobile version needs a lot of attention, and I think it would be easier to keep up with than an app.

Plus, with a mobile site, you have the flexibility of cross-platform, so those on non-iOS devices can still participate. And there is also Tapatalk which does a fairly good job in it's own right.

[Zxxv]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; CPU iPhone OS 5_0_1 like Mac OS X) AppleWebKit/534.46 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/5.1 Mobile/9A406 Safari/7534.48.3)

If you make an app were not going to have an annoying pop up telling us there's an app for the site everytime we visit are we?

[VulchR]

I've asked a couple of times in this thread, no one has responded.

arn

It might be useful to make this a sticky in the iPhone forum. I have always been interested in an app because the mobile site presents text that is far too small for my aging, deteriorating eyes. I was not aware that this thread existed, and I believe that there might be many others who are new to MR since 2008, when the thread was first posted.

In any case, the features I would love to see (and be willing to pay my 69p UK to help defray the cost of the development of the app) are:


separate tabs for access to news, blog, buyers guide,forums, & private messages.
please no iAds - I'd be willing to pay a small price to avoid these...
the ability to browse and respond to posts in the forums - on of the reasons I visit MR rather than TUAW on the iPhone.
the ability to vote thumbs-up/down on posts in the forums
readability - in particular control over the font size (and possibly text colour and background colour for those with dyslexia, for whom some combinations are a little easier to read).
the ability to mark a thread as a favourite, so that it can be easily followed.
please no paging of threads unless they're huge. 'Next page' buttons are inevitably by the edge of the iPhone screen, when the touchscreen is rather unreliable
the ability to edit my account settings

[Nosrettap]

Why is it that no one has created a MacRumors iPhone/iPad app yet? I can't be the only person who would like to see one.

[Magai]

Is there any forum client for iPad so I can us it on Macrumors forum.
I find surfing on this forum on my iPad to be not so great. I was thinking an app can fix that. So is there any app like that now or in the near future?

[Bobby.e]

Is there any forum client for iPad so I can us it on Macrumors forum.
I find surfing on this forum on my iPad to be not so great. I was thinking an app can fix that. So is there any app like that now or in the near future?

Tapatalk works witha number of forums including MacRumors.

[toasty hoodie]

I use Tapatalk

[roxxette]

Yes tapatalk works great but the new tapatalkHD for ipad i didnt like a bit , i redownload the regular one.

[arian19]

I don't mean to be picky, because I love Macrumors.com... But seriously, when will there be a Macrumors iOS App, currently I just have a home screen bookmark icon for macrumors.com... But I'd love to be able to open an app, I'm always refreshing and reading this site, I think Macrumors (Arn if you are reading this I'm talking to you! lol) should make an app!!

Am I the only one who wants an app?!

[Menel]

Yes, you may be the only one.

Tapatalk is amazing for forums.
I get homepage news via RSS via Google sync to Reeder app.

Edit: maybe that was a little harsh, but it would be a waste of his time. So many other ways of consuming content here.

[dejo]

Am I the only one who wants an app?!

Your thread has been merged with an existing one in the Site & Forum Feedback forum. As you can probably tell, there are many others who agree with you.

[ppcg4mac]

Wirelessly posted

I would LOVE an app like that. I don't find mobile macrumors a particular joy to browse

The first thing I did when I got my iPod touch was search for a macrumors app. The mobile site is a complete pain in the rear. Just make sure that this app is compatible with iOS 4.2.1 so us second gens can use it!

[Menel]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; CPU iPhone OS 5_0_1 like Mac OS X) AppleWebKit/534.46 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/5.1 Mobile/9A406 Safari/7534.48.3)



I've asked a couple of times in this thread, no one has responded.

arnnow that thread has been merged, and I see you want real feedback, my thoughts still apply.

tapatalk is amazing for forums.
I get homepage news via RSS via Google sync to Reeder app.

Edit: maybe that was a little harsh, but it would be a waste of his time. So many other ways of consuming content here.
Expand Tapatalk to TouchArcade!

Reeder, flipboard, and tapatalk reside on my main home screen. These are goto apps. And there are many alternatives others may use. No site specific app is going to become a staple.

I have abandoned hardforum.com for anandtech after >10yrs as membee simply due to the easier access tapatalk grants. Keep that in mind. Access ease and flexibility trumps all.

I dont want to burst your bubble, MacRumors has proven to be an awesome news site with a great feed of info, but youre in a pond of many. Im not going to open a separate app just for your content. I will consume via feeds with my flavor of the year, reeder/flipboard/GoogleReader this past year.

I have only momentarily downloaded a news site's app out of curiosity only to promptly delete it because its duplicate info, and extra effort, to make specific point to launch.

The only specific app I use is Engadget's Distro eMagazine. Its pseudo duplicate content. But its fun, more in depth, high quality, only once a week, so its like a special, and get a push notification reminding me to check it.

[vbmike73]

Maybe I'm losing my mind here, but there is a MacRumors app, correct? I have this button I press every day on my iPhone that I view MacRumors on. It's NOT a Safari shortcut. Yet I cannot find this anywhere on the App Store, and I find no mention of it on this site.

[miles01110]

There's a large thread about this here:

http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=558210

[vbmike73]

That's odd. I search the forums for "macrumors app" and I can't find that in the results.

Anyways, from what I read in that thread, it seems there isn't an app yet. So what do I have on my phone?! Like I said it's not a Safari shortcut, so what is it? I've had it there for about a year now and I want it on my iPad.

[vbmike73]

I've read through a lot of posts here, though not all of them, and can't find the answer to my question. If there is not a MacRumors app yet, then I can't figure out what I have on my iPhone currently. I have a button that takes me to the front news page, but it's not through Safari. When I hit the Home button, and then look at my recent apps, it shows up as Mac Rumors, not Safari. So it's not a Safari shortcut. What is it, and how did I get it? It's been over a year, and can't remember how to get it on my iPad now.

[Mad Mac Maniac]

I've read through a lot of posts here, though not all of them, and can't find the answer to my question. If there is not a MacRumors app yet, then I can't figure out what I have on my iPhone currently. I have a button that takes me to the forum, but it's not through Safari. When I hit the Home button, and then look at my recent apps, it shows up as Mac Rumors, not Safari. So it's not a Safari shortcut. What is it, and how did I get it? It's been over a year, and can't remember how to get it on my iPad now.

It was probably an unsanctioned app that eventually got pulled

[vbmike73]

Ok, kind of feel like an idiot because I didn't try this first, but I still don't understand what's going on here. I just went thru Safari to Macrumors.com, and created a Home Screen shortcut. It created the button with the logo. When I click it, it does what my other button does, and it's not using Safari. So my question is what causes this site to create "that" when all my other Safari home screen shortcuts just take me through Safari? What's going on? Am I making sense to anyone?

[Mad Mac Maniac]

Ok, kind of feel like an idiot because I didn't try this first, but I still don't understand what's going on here. I just went thru Safari to Macrumors.com, and created a Home Screen shortcut. It created the button with the logo. When I click it, it does what my other button does, and it's not using Safari. So my question is what causes this site to create "that" when all my other Safari home screen shortcuts just take me through Safari? What's going on? Am I making sense to anyone?

Yeah, I see what you're talking about. First, I created a home screen shortcut to the full site, and it automatically took me to safari. Then I created a home screen shortcut to the mobile site and it does create an app-like thing that is full screen with no browser interface what-so-ever and pops up as the MR icon in the multitask tray.

To add to the oddity, whenever I try to click on any link (iOS tab, Mac tab, forums tab, or anything) it takes me to safari and opens it there.

Update: I just deleted both icon's. When I deleted the full web shortcut it said "are you sure you want to delete the bookmark "Mac Rumors"?" but when I deleted the app-like shortcut it said "are you sure you want to delete "Mac Rumors"?"

[vbmike73]

Exactly! So I'm really curious what is special about the MacRumors site that allows it to be created in this manner. Surprised I haven't heard anything about this before.

[DuckSoup]

Like I said it's not a Safari shortcut, so what is it? I've had it there for about a year now and I want it on my iPad.

Use Bump to bump it over to the iPad? Not sure if Bump can do that, but it's worth a shot.

Mike

[vbmike73]

Actually I just realized what it is. If you view the site in Safari on the iPhone, and you're viewing the full site, creating a Home Screen icon will do just that. However, if you are viewing the mobile site in Safari and create a home screen icon, it actually creates an "app". I still can't figure out what causes it to behave this way, but I like it. When you view the task list, it shows up as an "app", not Safari. Try it and you'll see what I mean. Wish I could figure this out. ever heard of anything like this before.

[Menel]

Ok, kind of feel like an idiot because I didn't try this first, but I still don't understand what's going on here. I just went thru Safari to Macrumors.com, and created a Home Screen shortcut. It created the button with the logo. When I click it, it does what my other button does, and it's not using Safari. So my question is what causes this site to create "that" when all my other Safari home screen shortcuts just take me through Safari? What's going on? Am I making sense to anyone?

Special coding by MacRumors guys, server side. Other sites function like this, but only those who specifically coded for mobile devices properly.

[El Jefe]

For the entire site or just the forum? I use Tapatalk for the forum and it's pretty awesome.

[vbmike73]

For the front page news, not the forums.

[vbmike73]

Special coding by MacRumors guys, server side. Other sites function like this, but only those who specifically coded for mobile devices properly.

Interesting. Yet iOS doesn't recognize it as an app since it's not in iTunes, nor does it ever need updating. Very cool. Wish other sites would take this approach. Thanks!

[Zxxv]

Wirelessly posted

If you make a web app as good as Stephen Frys then I think it's a good thing. His works great on iPhone and that bottom bit of screen real estate makes a huge difference to the user experience.

http://www.stephenfry.com/blog/#

[Mad Mac Maniac]

For the front page news, not the forums.

Yeah, this fact makes in unusable for me. Any time I would want to view forums, iOS blog, mac blog, or see comments for a main article it would switch me to safari. It would annoy me.

But on a positive note, the mobile forums has been updated. significant improvement.

[insimbi]

Wirelessly posted

Anyone else think we need a MacRumors Forums app? I'm posting this from my iPhone now. While it works, it would be so much nicer to have a dedicated app. What do you think?

[TheSuperSteve]

Search for TapaTalk on iTunes. It lets you browse tons of forums, including this one.

Also, not every web page on the Internet needs an app. It would make Safari pointless, among other things.

[lordofthereef]

With the recent changes to the mobile site, I would rather have that than another app to clutter up my springboard. Honestly, it looks and works as good as any dedicated forum app I have seen.

[saberahul]

Search the forums... there are many threads on this topic and all can be found in Site feedback.

//Request close.

[ap3604]

.

[lordofthereef]

Eff that!

$3 app just to be able to do the same things that you already can with your browser? No thanks...

It's good for some sites that don't have a mobile version...

[insimbi]

Search for TapaTalk on iTunes. It lets you browse tons of forums, including this one.

Also, not every web page on the Internet needs an app. It would make Safari pointless, among other things.

Cool - thanks. TapaTalk looks good!

[sharpycl]

Yeah, this fact makes in unusable for me. Any time I would want to view forums, iOS blog, mac blog, or see comments for a main article it would switch me to safari. It would annoy me.

But on a positive note, the mobile forums has been updated. significant improvement.

Hey I didn't notice this until today! The new look makes browsing the forums on my iPhone more enjoyable. Thanks for pointing that out!

[VulchR]

Agreed - the new mobile MR is so much easier to navigate! :)

[Zxxv]

I've read through a lot of posts here, though not all of them, and can't find the answer to my question. If there is not a MacRumors app yet, then I can't figure out what I have on my iPhone currently. I have a button that takes me to the front news page, but it's not through Safari. When I hit the Home button, and then look at my recent apps, it shows up as Mac Rumors, not Safari. So it's not a Safari shortcut. What is it, and how did I get it? It's been over a year, and can't remember how to get it on my iPad now.

Doesn't do that here. Just opens safari. I'd prefer it like Stephen Frys web app where all the screen is utilised.

Then clicking it again just opens anothe safari tab.

[arn]

Guys,

Check out the TouchArcade App
http://itunes.apple.com/app/toucharcade-best-new-games/id509945427?mt=8

It's what our dev team has been working on for many months.

A lot of early unofficial TouchArcade and unofficial MacRumors apps just put the RSS feed in an App wrapper. I've said before that I don't see the point of an app just being a glorified RSS reader.

With TouchArcade I think we were able to provide a lot more functionality where the App experience is superior to the website.

We are fleshing out a MacRumors app now. It is still prob many months off, esp since one of our developers had an accident and is out of commission for a while. But I wanted to let you know that a MacRumors App is in consideration, and the goal is to make it a great experience... but that will take time.

arn