The Metafilter iOS/Android App Request June 18, 2012 7:15 AM Subscribe
I want an official Metafilter app for iOS. Is one in the works? If not, would The Powers That Be object to one being made by a community member? And what would the community want in such an app, and how much would they be willing to pay?
An official Metafilter app for iOS (and/or Android) would be awesome. I envisage an app that notifies me when I get a MeMail, or I'm added as a contact, when I'm mentioned in a thread, a new My Ask pops up or when my FPP is favorited.
It would stream my MeFi Music and Podcasts over the air and maybe even add meetups in my city to my diary. Advise me of new Job postings in my city. And of course it would let me browse and comment in all my favorite MeFi subsites.
Is an official app in the works? If not, do The Powers That Be object to one being made by a community member? I'd be willing to kick in a few bucks on a Kickstarter project to this end, if it'd help get the ball rolling.
Whoever builds it, what would other community members like to see in this app? And what would you be willing to pay?
An official Metafilter app for iOS (and/or Android) would be awesome. I envisage an app that notifies me when I get a MeMail, or I'm added as a contact, when I'm mentioned in a thread, a new My Ask pops up or when my FPP is favorited.
It would stream my MeFi Music and Podcasts over the air and maybe even add meetups in my city to my diary. Advise me of new Job postings in my city. And of course it would let me browse and comment in all my favorite MeFi subsites.
Is an official app in the works? If not, do The Powers That Be object to one being made by a community member? I'd be willing to kick in a few bucks on a Kickstarter project to this end, if it'd help get the ball rolling.
Whoever builds it, what would other community members like to see in this app? And what would you be willing to pay?
I'm not calling your baby ugly, but that's one ugly baby.
posted by Admiral Haddock at 7:19 AM on June 18, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by Admiral Haddock at 7:19 AM on June 18, 2012 [1 favorite]
Yeah, we actually are working on an iPad app. It will basically let you read and comment on threads in a nice clean interface. I doubt it will cost anything and it's super early (not even in alpha form yet) but I suspect later this summer or early Fall it will be something people can check out.
Eventually I'd like it to be robust, let you post, view and do anything you could on the site, have added features like geolocation and IRL-check-in kinds of features, and also work on an iPhone, but it's really early on at this point.
posted by mathowie (staff) at 7:19 AM on June 18, 2012 [31 favorites]
Eventually I'd like it to be robust, let you post, view and do anything you could on the site, have added features like geolocation and IRL-check-in kinds of features, and also work on an iPhone, but it's really early on at this point.
posted by mathowie (staff) at 7:19 AM on June 18, 2012 [31 favorites]
On the Android end of things, I'm sure someone could make a nice read-only MeFi app using our public RSS feeds.
And Kickstarter doesn't quite work that way, you have to propose a project and have some demonstrated expertise to raise funds, it's not like a giant donation jackpot thing that someone could come along and program for.
posted by mathowie (staff) at 7:21 AM on June 18, 2012 [1 favorite]
And Kickstarter doesn't quite work that way, you have to propose a project and have some demonstrated expertise to raise funds, it's not like a giant donation jackpot thing that someone could come along and program for.
posted by mathowie (staff) at 7:21 AM on June 18, 2012 [1 favorite]
And what would you be willing to pay?
Two meatbombs and not a desjardins more.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 7:29 AM on June 18, 2012 [6 favorites]
Two meatbombs and not a desjardins more.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 7:29 AM on June 18, 2012 [6 favorites]
In general, I HATE HATE HATE when I click a link on my iPad and am taken to a page that tells me there is an iPad app for that site. I'm already in a web browser, why would I want to launch a whole new app just to read that site?
But I often think a MetaFilter app would be GREAT! It's exactly the kind of site that makes sense in its own app.
I give this pony a pointy horn and wings, and call it a magical flying unicorn. If that helps.
posted by The Deej at 7:31 AM on June 18, 2012
But I often think a MetaFilter app would be GREAT! It's exactly the kind of site that makes sense in its own app.
I give this pony a pointy horn and wings, and call it a magical flying unicorn. If that helps.
posted by The Deej at 7:31 AM on June 18, 2012
As somebody who mainly just reads and comments at the more popular subsites (the blue, green and gray), and doesn't use music or IRL services, the mobile site pretty much does everything I'd want out of MetaFilter-on-my-phone.
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 7:31 AM on June 18, 2012 [3 favorites]
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 7:31 AM on June 18, 2012 [3 favorites]
Effigy2000: " Whoever builds it, what would other community members like to see in this app? And what would you be willing to pay? "
I'd like the ability to create a "Recent Activity"-type list for threads I haven't commented in. This is a pony that has been requested and at least a couple of times in Meta.
posted by zarq at 7:36 AM on June 18, 2012 [8 favorites]
I'd like the ability to create a "Recent Activity"-type list for threads I haven't commented in. This is a pony that has been requested and at least a couple of times in Meta.
posted by zarq at 7:36 AM on June 18, 2012 [8 favorites]
...that has been requested and [stabled] at least a couple....
posted by zarq at 7:36 AM on June 18, 2012
posted by zarq at 7:36 AM on June 18, 2012
And what would you be willing to pay?
$5, same as in town.
posted by chavenet at 7:41 AM on June 18, 2012 [3 favorites]
$5, same as in town.
posted by chavenet at 7:41 AM on June 18, 2012 [3 favorites]
I'm confused -- what will the app do that the browser version doesn't do?
posted by garlic at 7:49 AM on June 18, 2012
posted by garlic at 7:49 AM on June 18, 2012
If this hypothetical app will actually present us with a pony (or at least a picture of a pony) when we ask for a pony, I would be grateful. If it could also deploy an actual hammer when the banhammer is employed, I would be impressed, although cautious.
posted by GenjiandProust at 7:54 AM on June 18, 2012
posted by GenjiandProust at 7:54 AM on June 18, 2012
I'm confused -- what will the app do that the browser version doesn't do?I think Effigy2000 is talking about an app that uses the built-in iOS notification system, namely: "I envisage an app that notifies me when I get a MeMail, or I'm added as a contact, when I'm mentioned in a thread, a new My Ask pops up or when my FPP is favorited."
posted by BurntHombre at 7:56 AM on June 18, 2012
Oh, maybe you mean Mathowie's description -- yeah, I'm not sure.
posted by BurntHombre at 7:57 AM on June 18, 2012
posted by BurntHombre at 7:57 AM on June 18, 2012
You guys can't just feel those things? Maybe it takes a few years to kick in.
"My knee's acting up again, Helen. Mark my words, MeMails are a comin'."
posted by ODiV at 7:59 AM on June 18, 2012 [5 favorites]
"My knee's acting up again, Helen. Mark my words, MeMails are a comin'."
posted by ODiV at 7:59 AM on June 18, 2012 [5 favorites]
Yes, please.
All I want is a nice easy to read and use interface. I frequently check MeFi on iOS, but I hate trying to click the links. It's a goddamn PITA to keep zooming in to click.
incoherent suggestions:
I would want it to have all the comments listed in formatted boxes like the Twitter app. Make the whole box a target that, when clicked, went to a page with big buttons for favorite, flag, profile of author, etc.
Also, it might be nice to have a "add comment" button always visible, so you don't have to scroll to the bottom comment box. On the other hand, I never comment before reading all the existing comments, so maybe that would be a bad idea.
An iOS-native input box would be much better than the textarea on safari, though.
posted by ctmf at 8:00 AM on June 18, 2012 [1 favorite]
All I want is a nice easy to read and use interface. I frequently check MeFi on iOS, but I hate trying to click the links. It's a goddamn PITA to keep zooming in to click.
incoherent suggestions:
I would want it to have all the comments listed in formatted boxes like the Twitter app. Make the whole box a target that, when clicked, went to a page with big buttons for favorite, flag, profile of author, etc.
Also, it might be nice to have a "add comment" button always visible, so you don't have to scroll to the bottom comment box. On the other hand, I never comment before reading all the existing comments, so maybe that would be a bad idea.
An iOS-native input box would be much better than the textarea on safari, though.
posted by ctmf at 8:00 AM on June 18, 2012 [1 favorite]
I heartily endorse this pony.
It would also be great to have a notification option for when a new post appears on the Blue (/Green/Grey/Professional White), for us dyed-in-the-wool addicts.
posted by fight or flight at 8:02 AM on June 18, 2012 [1 favorite]
It would also be great to have a notification option for when a new post appears on the Blue (/Green/Grey/Professional White), for us dyed-in-the-wool addicts.
posted by fight or flight at 8:02 AM on June 18, 2012 [1 favorite]
As long as it doesn't divert support from the mobile website. Personally I hate one-site apps and refuse to use them since I have a browser on my phone and should be able read any content through that. I hate those pop-ups on websites that try to get me to install some crappy app instead of letting me read their website.
posted by octothorpe at 8:05 AM on June 18, 2012 [11 favorites]
posted by octothorpe at 8:05 AM on June 18, 2012 [11 favorites]
How about Tapatalk? How does a forum get integrated into that?
posted by Splunge at 8:06 AM on June 18, 2012
posted by Splunge at 8:06 AM on June 18, 2012
MeFi app: downvoted, disfriended and anti-liked. Surely MeFi's motto is "dream largish, do humungously, and love like you've never danced before?" In accordance with that high principle, which neatly encapsulates our most dear values, should we settle for a mere MeFi application when a MeFi phone could revolutionise the entire virtual market-place?
I see MePho as a wrist-attached flip-top micro-telephonic device that can be powered by pill or suppositry ingestion. It should have the functions telecommunical, chronological and calendrical. It should know the kings of England and quote the fights historical - from Marathon to Waterloo, in order categorical. It should take 3-D video and it should be lime green. When spoken to, it should respond sarcastically, in French, using the subjunctive mood, and send you a list of abortion providers. If you rub it on your personal problems, it should delete them and ban the problem-causer(s). It should be edible after one year of neglect, supplying at least 3 of your 5 recommended daily portions of cabbage. It should alert you to the direction of Mecca, the countdown to the Mayan apocalypse and the feast-days of the cephalophoric Saints. It should be able to vaporize cadavers, leaving no material traces whatsoever. It should be able to interact directly with your significant other and indicate whether or not you should dump them. It should have a gender identity neither traditionally "male", nor stereotypically "female". It should disprove the existence of God, dinosaurs, Roger Etchegaray (Cardinal Bishop of Porto-Santa Rufina) and the month of August, while searching the web at faster-than-light speeds. It should auto-compose your obituary and tweet it to people at random intervals while you are still alive. It should write long, unfunny and non-sensical lists and post them directly to the comments section of MetaTalk threads. It should
posted by the quidnunc kid at 8:14 AM on June 18, 2012 [24 favorites]
I see MePho as a wrist-attached flip-top micro-telephonic device that can be powered by pill or suppositry ingestion. It should have the functions telecommunical, chronological and calendrical. It should know the kings of England and quote the fights historical - from Marathon to Waterloo, in order categorical. It should take 3-D video and it should be lime green. When spoken to, it should respond sarcastically, in French, using the subjunctive mood, and send you a list of abortion providers. If you rub it on your personal problems, it should delete them and ban the problem-causer(s). It should be edible after one year of neglect, supplying at least 3 of your 5 recommended daily portions of cabbage. It should alert you to the direction of Mecca, the countdown to the Mayan apocalypse and the feast-days of the cephalophoric Saints. It should be able to vaporize cadavers, leaving no material traces whatsoever. It should be able to interact directly with your significant other and indicate whether or not you should dump them. It should have a gender identity neither traditionally "male", nor stereotypically "female". It should disprove the existence of God, dinosaurs, Roger Etchegaray (Cardinal Bishop of Porto-Santa Rufina) and the month of August, while searching the web at faster-than-light speeds. It should auto-compose your obituary and tweet it to people at random intervals while you are still alive. It should write long, unfunny and non-sensical lists and post them directly to the comments section of MetaTalk threads. It should
beep beep beep 10% battery remaining.posted by the quidnunc kid at 8:14 AM on June 18, 2012 [24 favorites]
On my iPhone, I think the mobile site is just fine. I really have no complaints, and use it regularly.
On the iPad, it could use a bit more of a custom style sheet, especially in portrait mode. It's essentially a 768x1024 maximized window, so anything that wastes horizontal space like the margins or the sidebar columns should be axes. And a lot of the links are very tiny, for instance everything in the header, and the + / - flags. And the music player could easily be double the size. I don't think it needs a full app though.
posted by smackfu at 8:16 AM on June 18, 2012
On the iPad, it could use a bit more of a custom style sheet, especially in portrait mode. It's essentially a 768x1024 maximized window, so anything that wastes horizontal space like the margins or the sidebar columns should be axes. And a lot of the links are very tiny, for instance everything in the header, and the + / - flags. And the music player could easily be double the size. I don't think it needs a full app though.
posted by smackfu at 8:16 AM on June 18, 2012
It would also be great to have a notification option for when a new post appears on the Blue (/Green/Grey/Professional White), for us dyed-in-the-wool addicts.
If you found an RSS client that does notification, you could do this today.
posted by smackfu at 8:18 AM on June 18, 2012
If you found an RSS client that does notification, you could do this today.
posted by smackfu at 8:18 AM on June 18, 2012
Re: Autocorrect typos, is it possible for an app to replace the iOS autocorrect with something less awful?
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 8:55 AM on June 18, 2012
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 8:55 AM on June 18, 2012
Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish: “Re: Autocorrect typos, is it possible for an app to replace the iOS autocorrect with something less awful?”
Maybe they could write a script to move the user's finger to "Settings" and turn it off.
posted by koeselitz at 8:59 AM on June 18, 2012 [5 favorites]
Maybe they could write a script to move the user's finger to "Settings" and turn it off.
posted by koeselitz at 8:59 AM on June 18, 2012 [5 favorites]
I hate those pop-ups on websites that try to get me to install some crappy app instead of letting me read their website.
I know octothorpe wasn't implying that MetaFilter would ever become one of those sites, but it is so unimaginable that they would, I actually laughed a little even when I imagined that alternate reality.
posted by MCMikeNamara at 9:00 AM on June 18, 2012
I know octothorpe wasn't implying that MetaFilter would ever become one of those sites, but it is so unimaginable that they would, I actually laughed a little even when I imagined that alternate reality.
posted by MCMikeNamara at 9:00 AM on June 18, 2012
Perfectly happy with the mobile site on iPhone, though I can see how tablets might fall into an awkward gap where the desktop site isn't quite right but the mobile style sheet is not appropriate.
Do not do that thing where looking at the site prompts you to get the app instead, because that is pure evil.
posted by Artw at 9:01 AM on June 18, 2012
Do not do that thing where looking at the site prompts you to get the app instead, because that is pure evil.
posted by Artw at 9:01 AM on June 18, 2012
Also, the favorite, posted by, and flag links are still too close together...
You might want to try out the swipe right to favorite test. Visit this thread on your iPad and then click this link:
enable swipe right test
You'll need to reload any threads you have open, but then you should be able to swipe right on a comment to add it as a favorite.
We're probably going to make this the default behavior on the mobile site. We just need to make that decision at some point—we're leaning toward it.
posted by pb (staff) at 9:04 AM on June 18, 2012 [19 favorites]
You might want to try out the swipe right to favorite test. Visit this thread on your iPad and then click this link:
enable swipe right test
You'll need to reload any threads you have open, but then you should be able to swipe right on a comment to add it as a favorite.
We're probably going to make this the default behavior on the mobile site. We just need to make that decision at some point—we're leaning toward it.
posted by pb (staff) at 9:04 AM on June 18, 2012 [19 favorites]
Pony request: enable swipe left "no fuck you"
posted by griphus at 9:07 AM on June 18, 2012 [13 favorites]
posted by griphus at 9:07 AM on June 18, 2012 [13 favorites]
I was thinking of an equivalent to Android's Swype or SwiftKey or something else, possibly not beginning with "Sw," that replaces the native autocorrect with something that predicts more accurately and transparently.
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 9:23 AM on June 18, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 9:23 AM on June 18, 2012 [1 favorite]
That would be nice. That's probably why I'm going to get an Android phone instead of an iPhone next time around.
posted by koeselitz at 9:46 AM on June 18, 2012
posted by koeselitz at 9:46 AM on June 18, 2012
I would love to see better integration with Flipboard for reading.
posted by dripdripdrop at 9:50 AM on June 18, 2012
posted by dripdripdrop at 9:50 AM on June 18, 2012
. . . swipe right on a comment to add it as a favorite.
We're probably going to make this the default behavior on the mobile site. We just need to make that decision at some point—we're leaning toward it.
Ugh. I hope if that happens there’s a preference to turn it off. Even on the iPhone/iPod I’ve had stray finger taps accidentally favorite things that I didn’t mean to (and didn’t notice for months).
Swiping would seem harder to accidentally do, but over time normal handling of the devices (picking up and setting down while still on, shifting from hand to hand, etc.) probably would occasionally register as a swipe on a Mefi comment. (Most of my mobile device web browsing is reading Metafilter.)
posted by D.C. at 10:17 AM on June 18, 2012
We're probably going to make this the default behavior on the mobile site. We just need to make that decision at some point—we're leaning toward it.
Ugh. I hope if that happens there’s a preference to turn it off. Even on the iPhone/iPod I’ve had stray finger taps accidentally favorite things that I didn’t mean to (and didn’t notice for months).
Swiping would seem harder to accidentally do, but over time normal handling of the devices (picking up and setting down while still on, shifting from hand to hand, etc.) probably would occasionally register as a swipe on a Mefi comment. (Most of my mobile device web browsing is reading Metafilter.)
posted by D.C. at 10:17 AM on June 18, 2012
And speaking as an Android user running Dolphin, swipe right is what I use to open my bookmark window, which means doing so while reading a MeFi thread often leads to a few failed attempts and closing out of the "Favorite this comment?" window once or twice before I get the menu to open. I find it worth the mild annoyance, but someone who doesn't should have the option to turn it off.
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 10:20 AM on June 18, 2012
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 10:20 AM on June 18, 2012
This is not how I saw this request going at all.
My data points: I wouldn't pay anything for such an app (or maybe $1), but I would kick in on a kickstarter project. If pb and mathowie made a video and said they needed to take two weeks off to knock such a thing out I could be counted on for $25 (or more if the premiums were really cool).
And Kickstarter doesn't quite work that way, you have to propose a project and have some demonstrated expertise to raise funds, it's not like a giant donation jackpot thing that someone could come along and program for.
If someone got the nod from the mods that be this is pretty much all you you would need. I think a bit of attention on the site and people would go nuts.
posted by cjorgensen at 10:24 AM on June 18, 2012
My data points: I wouldn't pay anything for such an app (or maybe $1), but I would kick in on a kickstarter project. If pb and mathowie made a video and said they needed to take two weeks off to knock such a thing out I could be counted on for $25 (or more if the premiums were really cool).
And Kickstarter doesn't quite work that way, you have to propose a project and have some demonstrated expertise to raise funds, it's not like a giant donation jackpot thing that someone could come along and program for.
If someone got the nod from the mods that be this is pretty much all you you would need. I think a bit of attention on the site and people would go nuts.
posted by cjorgensen at 10:24 AM on June 18, 2012
Even on the iPhone/iPod I’ve had stray finger taps accidentally favorite things ...
When you swipe right, it brings up a dialog asking you to confirm that you do in fact want to mark something as a favorite. So unless you accidentally swipe and then also say yes to that question you shouldn't have stray favorites.
posted by pb (staff) at 10:24 AM on June 18, 2012
When you swipe right, it brings up a dialog asking you to confirm that you do in fact want to mark something as a favorite. So unless you accidentally swipe and then also say yes to that question you shouldn't have stray favorites.
posted by pb (staff) at 10:24 AM on June 18, 2012
We're probably going to make this the default behavior on the mobile site.
*swipes right*
Oh, yes, please. It seems to occasionally get turned off for me, and then I have to go hunting for that random comment to re-enable it. At least put it on the Preferences page. Also, if you could make it active on the Recent Activity page and for live-reloaded comments, that would be swipetastic, but I understand if that is some kind of technical limitation.
posted by Rock Steady at 10:36 AM on June 18, 2012
*swipes right*
Oh, yes, please. It seems to occasionally get turned off for me, and then I have to go hunting for that random comment to re-enable it. At least put it on the Preferences page. Also, if you could make it active on the Recent Activity page and for live-reloaded comments, that would be swipetastic, but I understand if that is some kind of technical limitation.
posted by Rock Steady at 10:36 AM on June 18, 2012
It seems to occasionally get turned off for me, and then I have to go hunting for that random comment to re-enable it.
It's off by default. So if you clear out your MetaFilter cookies you'll need to re-enable it. It's really just supposed to be a test right now so we can get feedback about it. It's not supposed to be on all the time. If we do decide to turn it on all the time, we'll add it to more places across the site.
posted by pb (staff) at 10:40 AM on June 18, 2012 [1 favorite]
It's off by default. So if you clear out your MetaFilter cookies you'll need to re-enable it. It's really just supposed to be a test right now so we can get feedback about it. It's not supposed to be on all the time. If we do decide to turn it on all the time, we'll add it to more places across the site.
posted by pb (staff) at 10:40 AM on June 18, 2012 [1 favorite]
It's really just supposed to be a test right now so we can get feedback about it. It's not supposed to be on all the time.
No, no, I get that. Just trying to put in my $0.02 of very positive feedback, and looking forward to when it becomes official.
posted by Rock Steady at 10:44 AM on June 18, 2012
No, no, I get that. Just trying to put in my $0.02 of very positive feedback, and looking forward to when it becomes official.
posted by Rock Steady at 10:44 AM on June 18, 2012
anything that wastes horizontal space like the margins or the sidebar columns should be axes
Agreed. MeFi needs more axes.
posted by carsonb at 11:17 AM on June 18, 2012 [1 favorite]
Agreed. MeFi needs more axes.
posted by carsonb at 11:17 AM on June 18, 2012 [1 favorite]
And what would you be willing to pay?
I'd pay $2.99. So, here in Australia I'd expect to be made to pay about $15.39.
posted by vidur at 11:31 AM on June 18, 2012 [1 favorite]
I'd pay $2.99. So, here in Australia I'd expect to be made to pay about $15.39.
posted by vidur at 11:31 AM on June 18, 2012 [1 favorite]
Plus it'd only come out like six months after the US release.
posted by cortex (staff) at 11:37 AM on June 18, 2012
posted by cortex (staff) at 11:37 AM on June 18, 2012
mathowie: "Yeah, we actually are working on an iPad app. It will basically let you read and comment on threads in a nice clean interface."
mathowie: "On the Android end of things, I'm sure someone could make a nice read-only MeFi app using our public RSS feeds. "
I wonder how long Android will have to be the best-selling mobile OS until I stop seeing companies launching on iOS only. I understand that MetaFilter is a small shop and you can't necessarily afford to do both and this is probably a case of going with what you know (and/or eating your own dogfood). But Android is a great development environment and, yes, has just as much potential for beautiful/easy apps and, yes, doesn't make you jump through hoops to publish it to customers.
Disclaimer: I'm an Android owner, a sometimes-app-developer, and until recently worked for a company that had to deal with publishing hundreds of iOS and Android apps.
posted by Plutor at 11:59 AM on June 18, 2012 [4 favorites]
mathowie: "On the Android end of things, I'm sure someone could make a nice read-only MeFi app using our public RSS feeds. "
I wonder how long Android will have to be the best-selling mobile OS until I stop seeing companies launching on iOS only. I understand that MetaFilter is a small shop and you can't necessarily afford to do both and this is probably a case of going with what you know (and/or eating your own dogfood). But Android is a great development environment and, yes, has just as much potential for beautiful/easy apps and, yes, doesn't make you jump through hoops to publish it to customers.
Disclaimer: I'm an Android owner, a sometimes-app-developer, and until recently worked for a company that had to deal with publishing hundreds of iOS and Android apps.
posted by Plutor at 11:59 AM on June 18, 2012 [4 favorites]
Matt, if you want beta-testers for the app, I'm up for being the fool to test how fool proof it is.
the quidnunc kid - you had me at It should be able to vaporize cadavers
posted by arcticseal at 12:27 PM on June 18, 2012 [1 favorite]
the quidnunc kid - you had me at It should be able to vaporize cadavers
posted by arcticseal at 12:27 PM on June 18, 2012 [1 favorite]
Wow, all the way down here and not one request for a Windows Phone app?
What about a Windows Phone app?
posted by stupidsexyFlanders at 1:09 PM on June 18, 2012
What about a Windows Phone app?
posted by stupidsexyFlanders at 1:09 PM on June 18, 2012
As a slight derail, I really wish there was a good site where I could just spitball ideas and take bids from people who would build them for me. Like, an ePatronage site or something, an inversion of Kickstarter. Maybe two parts — first spitballing the idea, then crowdsourcing the funding?
posted by klangklangston at 1:15 PM on June 18, 2012 [2 favorites]
posted by klangklangston at 1:15 PM on June 18, 2012 [2 favorites]
klangklangston: "As a slight derail, I really wish there was a good site where I could just spitball ideas and take bids from people who would build them for me. Like, an ePatronage site or something, an inversion of Kickstarter. Maybe two parts — first spitballing the idea, then crowdsourcing the funding?"
Minions. We need minions.
posted by zarq at 1:22 PM on June 18, 2012 [2 favorites]
Minions. We need minions.
posted by zarq at 1:22 PM on June 18, 2012 [2 favorites]
The news that there's an official app in the works warms the cockles of my cold, dead heart, Matt.
If you want beta-testers, consider my hand officially up.
posted by Effigy2000 at 1:34 PM on June 18, 2012
If you want beta-testers, consider my hand officially up.
posted by Effigy2000 at 1:34 PM on June 18, 2012
I use Atomic Web as my iPad browser, and the swipe feature doesn't work too well with it. If your swipe ends on a link, then it pops up a 'copy link' box at the same time it brings up the 'favorite this comment?' box. The whole tuning freezes and you need to open and close the browser. (This isn't as much of a problem on the iPhone version... 'copy link' comes up on a menu instead of a box, and you can close it without having to shut down the browser.)
posted by painquale at 2:16 PM on June 18, 2012
posted by painquale at 2:16 PM on June 18, 2012
I envisage an app that notifies me when [...] I'm added as a contact...
Let's not. I'm a bit of an antisocial fuck, but a needy one, so if there's no notification of being added by someone, I can still maintain the fiction that it's a fault of the system, and not of my disagreeable personality.
posted by Capt. Renault at 3:06 PM on June 18, 2012
Let's not. I'm a bit of an antisocial fuck, but a needy one, so if there's no notification of being added by someone, I can still maintain the fiction that it's a fault of the system, and not of my disagreeable personality.
posted by Capt. Renault at 3:06 PM on June 18, 2012
swipe right to favorite
And maybe pinch User's name to flag them?
I crush your head
posted by Kabanos at 4:00 PM on June 18, 2012 [2 favorites]
And maybe pinch User's name to flag them?
I crush your head
posted by Kabanos at 4:00 PM on June 18, 2012 [2 favorites]
If you found an RSS client that does notification, you could do this today.
And if you find one, let me know.
Also, and this might be a total nonstarter, but is there any chance the iOS app could incorporate some of the more popular and tacitly-approved Greasemonkey scripts as options? I'm thinking here of stuff like Deleted Posts, Mark Librarian Contributions, Mark Scientist Contributions and unicorn/narwhal/laser cat.
posted by box at 4:25 PM on June 18, 2012 [1 favorite]
And if you find one, let me know.
Also, and this might be a total nonstarter, but is there any chance the iOS app could incorporate some of the more popular and tacitly-approved Greasemonkey scripts as options? I'm thinking here of stuff like Deleted Posts, Mark Librarian Contributions, Mark Scientist Contributions and unicorn/narwhal/laser cat.
posted by box at 4:25 PM on June 18, 2012 [1 favorite]
Also, and this might be a total nonstarter, but is there any chance the iOS app could incorporate some of the more popular and tacitly-approved Greasemonkey scripts as options?
Yep, those are total nonstarters. Any app that we officially release as MetaFilter will only include a subset of features that we include officially here at the site.
posted by pb (staff) at 4:33 PM on June 18, 2012
Yep, those are total nonstarters. Any app that we officially release as MetaFilter will only include a subset of features that we include officially here at the site.
posted by pb (staff) at 4:33 PM on June 18, 2012
I kinda figured that might be the case. Thanks for the clarification, pb.
posted by box at 4:42 PM on June 18, 2012
posted by box at 4:42 PM on June 18, 2012
Yep, those are total nonstarters. Any app that we officially release as MetaFilter will only include a subset of features that we include officially here at the site.
I'm guessing that will last until version 0.2 of the app.
Matt's already mentioned above geolocations and check-in functionality. Those aren't included here. App and site are two different animals. To even pretend they are the same is silly.
I am sure, if you go forward with this, that there will be all kinds of cool things you can do with an app that you can't with the site.
posted by cjorgensen at 6:30 PM on June 18, 2012
I'm guessing that will last until version 0.2 of the app.
Matt's already mentioned above geolocations and check-in functionality. Those aren't included here. App and site are two different animals. To even pretend they are the same is silly.
I am sure, if you go forward with this, that there will be all kinds of cool things you can do with an app that you can't with the site.
posted by cjorgensen at 6:30 PM on June 18, 2012
I'm pretty much perfectly satisified with the mobile interface. The swipe to favorite thing has been a revelation, and greatly increased my ability to use it. The only thing that's a bit of a bear is creating links in comments, but that's more of device limitation than anything else. Honestly, I don't really see the need for yet another app. As it stands, I always click 'no' on sites that tell me breathlessly about their mobile app, and sites that demand that I use their app rather than the site are sites I don't visit a second time.
Will there be a markedly different user experience with an app than the current mobile site? Will it be better?
/grumpy, suspicious of change.
posted by Ghidorah at 6:50 PM on June 18, 2012
Will there be a markedly different user experience with an app than the current mobile site? Will it be better?
/grumpy, suspicious of change.
posted by Ghidorah at 6:50 PM on June 18, 2012
vidur: "And what would you be willing to pay?
I'd pay $2.99. So, here in Australia I'd expect to be made to pay about $15.39."
Hey, the software's not going on sale right away. Au$49.99 same as in township.
posted by boo_radley at 7:23 PM on June 18, 2012 [2 favorites]
I'd pay $2.99. So, here in Australia I'd expect to be made to pay about $15.39."
Hey, the software's not going on sale right away. Au$49.99 same as in township.
posted by boo_radley at 7:23 PM on June 18, 2012 [2 favorites]
I am sure, if you go forward with this, that there will be all kinds of cool things you can do with an app that you can't with the site.
Maybe so. But specifically the ones box asked about: showing deleted posts, highlighting some members based on occupation, and jokey buttons are in the no column.
posted by pb (staff) at 8:14 PM on June 18, 2012 [1 favorite]
Maybe so. But specifically the ones box asked about: showing deleted posts, highlighting some members based on occupation, and jokey buttons are in the no column.
posted by pb (staff) at 8:14 PM on June 18, 2012 [1 favorite]
Another suspicious of change old fart here. The mobile site works perfectly well on my smart phone, the standard site is fine on my tablet and I really can't see how an app will add to the experience on a site that it text-only by design. Unless it will bring back <img>, count me among the disinterested.
posted by dg at 9:47 PM on June 18, 2012
posted by dg at 9:47 PM on June 18, 2012
If you found an RSS client that does notification, you could do this today.
If This, Then That might be able to help you set up your own arrangement for this? It doesn't hook into any smartphone software (yet, although they regularly add new channels) but you might be able to hook up an RSS feed to an app that does generate notifications.
posted by harriet vane at 10:17 PM on June 18, 2012
If This, Then That might be able to help you set up your own arrangement for this? It doesn't hook into any smartphone software (yet, although they regularly add new channels) but you might be able to hook up an RSS feed to an app that does generate notifications.
posted by harriet vane at 10:17 PM on June 18, 2012
According to Google Analytics, around 70% of mobile visits are from Apple devices. Android is around 28%, Blackberry around 2%, Windows around .5%.
posted by pb (staff) at 10:44 PM on June 18, 2012
posted by pb (staff) at 10:44 PM on June 18, 2012
Add in Edit Window functionality and I might buy and iPhone. Just kidding about the buying an iPhone part, but if you're app-ing up all the stuff to view/post you could fake insert a comment and not actually post it for five minutes or so.
posted by zengargoyle at 12:13 AM on June 19, 2012
posted by zengargoyle at 12:13 AM on June 19, 2012
As one of the .5%, I'd be happier with some kind of API access so I could at least dream of developing my own Windows Phone application.
At the very least, you could develop the App using phonegap or something.
We're not all rich iPhone owners.
Of course, I'm not ignorant of the difficulties opening up an API will bring. Extra support costs, and then you've got to go through the hell of integrating an OAuth (or OAuth like) feature set into metafilter.
But in a perfect world, this is what I would prefer.
posted by zoo at 2:03 AM on June 19, 2012
At the very least, you could develop the App using phonegap or something.
We're not all rich iPhone owners.
Of course, I'm not ignorant of the difficulties opening up an API will bring. Extra support costs, and then you've got to go through the hell of integrating an OAuth (or OAuth like) feature set into metafilter.
But in a perfect world, this is what I would prefer.
posted by zoo at 2:03 AM on June 19, 2012
This! I can't quite make up my mind. I use Pulse and Flipboard mostly to keep up with stuff, because it's more convenient and less open-ended, so there's less opportunity to be distracted by a shiny link, open it in a new tab and kiss a sparkly goodbye to productivity.
But it treats MeFi like any other site (which we know it is not) and doesn't load comments. Which is also not optimal when I try to hoard threads and Asks to read on the bus. Having a MeFi-optimised RSS reader or app would be nice.
posted by undue influence at 2:45 AM on June 19, 2012
But it treats MeFi like any other site (which we know it is not) and doesn't load comments. Which is also not optimal when I try to hoard threads and Asks to read on the bus. Having a MeFi-optimised RSS reader or app would be nice.
posted by undue influence at 2:45 AM on June 19, 2012
I have an iPhone app 75% complete. (Have had for some years, actually!). I've been sitting on it because it's read-only, for the reasons Zoo mentions about needing server support to log in (the right way). Read-only also means you can't set favourites, either, unfortunately.
If there's interest in a mostly read-only app, I could give it to some people to play with?
posted by bonaldi at 6:24 AM on June 19, 2012
If there's interest in a mostly read-only app, I could give it to some people to play with?
posted by bonaldi at 6:24 AM on June 19, 2012
I liked swipe-right at first, but scrolling through pages is turning up too many false-positive "right" swipes. How do I turn it off?
posted by mimi at 7:07 AM on June 19, 2012
posted by mimi at 7:07 AM on June 19, 2012
Click this:
disable swipe test
Reload any open tabs and you should be set. You could also just log out and back in.
posted by pb (staff) at 7:20 AM on June 19, 2012
disable swipe test
Reload any open tabs and you should be set. You could also just log out and back in.
posted by pb (staff) at 7:20 AM on June 19, 2012
Build in VoiceOver compatibility from the start, please.
posted by joeclark at 8:19 AM on June 19, 2012
posted by joeclark at 8:19 AM on June 19, 2012
I would love a non-memory-sucking iPhone app, and I would love for that app to include the ability to save a simple draft of a reply, since so often as I reply from the mobile site Safari finds it helpful to free up memory by RELOADING THE PAGE AARGH.
posted by nicebookrack at 8:40 PM on June 19, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by nicebookrack at 8:40 PM on June 19, 2012 [1 favorite]
cortex: You could also just log out and back in.
You can... log ... out?
I don't understand.
posted by caution live frogs at 9:31 PM on June 20, 2012
You can... log ... out?
I don't understand.
posted by caution live frogs at 9:31 PM on June 20, 2012
Joking aside, the major issue I see with the web interface for iOS is that it doesn't handle within-page links that well: clicking a link deep in a long thread loads the page at the top, and doesn't go to the actual linked comment until I hit the "reload" button. It's a minor annoyance but I'd be happy with an iPad app if it made that issue go away.
However, many iPad apps designed to work with forums suck. And (as Facebook apparently hasn't figured out yet) if the app is less functional than the actual website, it's useless. Hopefully a MeFi app would maintain the look and feel of the web interface. I don't want to see new iOS app-only users confused when someone mentions "the Blue".
posted by caution live frogs at 9:36 PM on June 20, 2012
However, many iPad apps designed to work with forums suck. And (as Facebook apparently hasn't figured out yet) if the app is less functional than the actual website, it's useless. Hopefully a MeFi app would maintain the look and feel of the web interface. I don't want to see new iOS app-only users confused when someone mentions "the Blue".
posted by caution live frogs at 9:36 PM on June 20, 2012
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Of course I'll donate to a Kickstarter.
posted by Faint of Butt at 7:18 AM on June 18, 2012 [6 favorites]