Toucharcade.com app?

[Booch138]

It just particularly came to my mind, but how come Touch Arcade doesn't have an app? Like an app that you could sign into and read the forums and stories easier? I'm no developer or anything but I don't think that would be hard to do... I mean I can view it just fine on my touch through Safari, but come on. You can't say that wouldn't be pretty F*ckin cool hahaha. Anyways, didn't know if there was a topic on this already, didn't see one in the search. Anyways, just thought it would be cool.

[The Bat Outta Hell]

I was thinking about this too. It would be a good idea, but the makers of this site would have to make it, due to log on info I think.
Wrong section though.

[Mindfield]

Well, wrong forum to start with, but besides that, I can't really think of anything such an app could do that isn't already easily accomplished in Safari.

[Prab]

Not even push notification when a thread about game release has been posted in the forum? :D

[Slapshot]

Not even push notification when a thread about game release has been posted in the forum? :D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LjacMS7Siqw :D

[VeganTnT]

Push for PM
Push for threads you subscribe too (would helps devs track interest)
Keep my login info saved

less memory usage since you wouldn't be using safari

I would love having this

[Prab]

Yup. In fact, Apple should sponsor who ever is making this TA app. With every notice pushed, we will be buying games every hour (not just every day) lol...

[dmbfan1192]

Well, wrong forum to start with, but besides that, I can't really think of anything such an app could do that isn't already easily accomplished in Safari.
Neither can I with facebook but I for some reason find the facebook app faster and much easier to use than Safari. I vote yes! But I wouldn't want to pay for it. I wouldn't have paid for Facebook either. I would download a version with ads and maybe there could be a paid app without ads for those that would pay.

[Kamazar]

This subject has been breached waay too many times. Yes, it'd be awesome, yes, it'd have to be free, but the possibilities of making it a reality rest with our good reviewer, Arn (he has the keys to the place ;)), and someone actually willing to code it. Basically it'd a GUI that runs off feeds from this place. They'd have to be constant, which makes me wonder...

@dmbfan192: While I'd much rather use the app than actually go to the Facebook website, the app itself sucks. There hasn't been an update in months, it hardly supports the basic functions, and there're a bunch of bugs (e.g, John has posted ______ 4 hours ago).

[CP1789]

just make a bookmark from the home-screen i did
it has the green alien icon

[xVietx]

Yeah, this would be an awesome app to have if it was pulled off correctly and with a good user interface. Hopefully, one of the site's mods will see this thread and take it into consideration with the others.

[Booch138]

@ Kamazar Sorry i had no idea it was mentioned before, however I did mention that lol. I didn't know how many times, but more times = more want for it. Thats awesome that someone wants to get it together. I hope we can expect it sometime in the near future.

just make a bookmark from the home-screen i did
it has the green alien icon

And while I do appriciate your enthusiasm, that's not what I want. I just want it easier for push notification and forum reading thats all. I just think it would be awesome heh

[InsertWittyName]

I offered my services to arn a while ago to code this.

No reply.

[upsidedown]

Ive always wanted this since the week ive been here. lol

[worldcup1100]

I offered my services to arn a while ago to code this.

No reply.

Maybe try to contact him again??? It can't hurt.

[Zandog]

Here's a brief rundown of what making a "client" like this would entail and why it hasn't been done yet. Let's forget about the news posting on the main page and just focus in on the forums. To begin with, the bright side is that TA (Arn) chose a great forum platform in vBulletin. It's very customizable and thousands of scripts have been written for it. You can run the whole site using it. This would have to be a two part project.

1. A script would have to be written that outputs all new content when the client logs in and parses it to the proper areas within the client app. (which is already done within the browser technically speaking)

2. The client app would have to take the (parsed) information and organize in the proper modules of the client app and the app would not only have to render all the new information since your last login, but would have to do this all in reverse when you wanted to reply to posts or messages.

Nevermind making adjustments to your profile or adding content like pictures or video. This would all have to be done on a testing enviornment exactly like TA's and I don't see Arn either mirroring this site or using it for experimental purposes.

[twick]

Just create a page for outputing in XML/SOAP so an App dev can parse through it and display it in an App. I'm not sure how PUSH Notify works but I'm sure it wouldn't be hard to push out a notification when the page changes or somthing.

I'm Not much of a developer for iPhone but have done this with desktop apps and webpages.

[dorino]

Immediately I considered just making an iPhone formatted theme for vBulletin and then a quick thing to check the client and apply that theme accordingly.

That's not difficult and would make the site a lot nicer on the ipod, which if I'm not mistaken is the purpose of the app proposed...

:P

[Booch138]

Here's a brief rundown of what making a "client" like this would entail and why it hasn't been done yet. Let's forget about the news posting on the main page and just focus in on the forums. To begin with, the bright side is that TA (Arn) chose a great forum platform in vBulletin. It's very customizable and thousands of scripts have been written for it. You can run the whole site using it. This would have to be a two part project.

1. A script would have to be written that outputs all new content when the client logs in and parses it to the proper areas within the client app. (which is already done within the browser technically speaking)

2. The client app would have to take the (parsed) information and organize in the proper modules of the client app and the app would not only have to render all the new information since your last login, but would have to do this all in reverse when you wanted to reply to posts or messages.

Nevermind making adjustments to your profile or adding content like pictures or video. This would all have to be done on a testing enviornment exactly like TA's and I don't see Arn either mirroring this site or using it for experimental purposes.

Well.. I dunno lol. Like I said, I just hope for one, if it would be too difficult to make then that makes sense why there isnt one at the moment but it would be cool to have the site look easier on the iDevices. Like a .mobile version or something but I dunno. It's not a huge deal, it would just be cool is all.

[Genius]

Pocket gamer has an app TA should make an app cuz I use my itouch a lot and I have 2 open safari everyday and keep a tab open

[dorino]

Well.. I dunno lol. Like I said, I just hope for one, if it would be too difficult to make then that makes sense why there isnt one at the moment but it would be cool to have the site look easier on the iDevices. Like a .mobile version or something but I dunno. It's not a huge deal, it would just be cool is all.

THAT wouldnt be difficult. Take out the app idea and go for a mobile theme for vbul

[Booch138]

THAT wouldnt be difficult. Take out the app idea and go for a mobile theme for vbul

Yeah of all things, and mobile version of the site would be the easiest. Like I said, I do a lot of surfing on the my iDevices, and TA is my most frequently visited site. It would just be nice to have easier forum reading and posting for the iDevices.

[Killquake]

It would be great to have this as all the ads that they put on this site take about 3 minutes just to load on my 2g iPhone :( and then i accidentally click the ads and it takes me away from my half loaded page so i have to fully load it again

[Sainter]

It would be great to have this as all the ads that they put on this site take about 3 minutes just to load on my 2g iPhone :( and then i accidentally click the ads and it takes me away from my half loaded page so i have to fully load it again

The ads would have to be included somehow as it would take away alot of earnings if we all didn't see the ads when we were on our iPhones

[The Game Reaper]

The ads would have to be included somehow as it would take away alot of earnings if we all didn't see the ads when we were on our iPhones
Unless they priced it at a dollar.

[RobCRX]

I'd pay a dollar for it but I wouldn't mind an ad bar at the bottom of the app like many other free games have.

[Booch138]

I'd pay a dollar for it but I wouldn't mind an ad bar at the bottom of the app like many other free games have.

I would pay about a dollar for it as well, but i actually wouldn't mind the Ads for once. I mean sure they get kind of repetative, but I mean at least its advertisements for games and stuff, and not garbage apps and what not.

[PeterM11]

Yeah. We need a TouchArcade App. It would only make this site that much more epic.

[fazfznz]

No word yet from Mods or Admins

[Booch138]

No word yet from Mods or Admins

And it's been that way. It's understandable if they don't want to get involved. I am sure they just dont want to have anyone code it mainly because they would have to choose who to do it. I am sure they have had quite a few people offer to code it, but picking between them would be hard.

Whatever the reason, it sucks, but what are we gunna do.

[ImNoSuperMan]

I for one prefer safari instead of an App for TA. Only coz iPhone cant multitask. a dedicated app will make browsing this site even better, but at the cost of not being able to surf any other website without quitting the app. It would be better if TA improves it`s mobile version of the site then going for an app. But even in its current form the forums are easily accessible through mobile safari as far as browsing goes. Except when it comes to making a post. I always end up writing the replies in the Notes app and then copy/paste it in safari. But the TA blog is too heavy on content for iPhone and it`s never a pleasurable experience to visit it via safari. In any case since most of the times it`s the forums we visit and not the blog, that also aint much of a problem either.

[BulletDev]

I understand why simply adjusting the online mobile version of the site would work, but the native application I'm thinking of would win any day.

Think "Facebook for iPhone". Tab bar at bottom, logo at top. The tab bar allows you easily switch between "Articles", "Forums", "PM's", "Search", and "Options". The forums would have clear to see buttons for logging in and out, starting threads and more. Search would let you specifically find what your looking for, be it a thread or an old featured game. In options, you could change font sizes, article length, saved data, etc etc.

I could go on forever about what would work, but it's all talk for the time being. Like mentioned earlier, it would depend on an amazing UI - and not anyone could do it, so amateur programmers, give it up.

[Booch138]

I for one prefer safari instead of an App for TA. Only coz iPhone cant multitask. a dedicated app will make browsing this site even better, but at the cost of not being able to surf any other website without quitting the app.

*Presses home, Closing TA app* *open's up safari*

Problem solved. (but I get your point)

I for one don't browse the internet on my iPod as much as I do with TA. In fact TA and my bank account (which is soon getting an app as well) are the only two sites I really visit (especially on a regular basis). Like I said, I don't mind using Safari to browse TA, I just have an idea for the app (pretty much exactly how BulletDev said it) that would be simple looking, organized, and efficient. It doesnt matter if I can browse anything else on the app (I could just use safari for anything else). But yeah, for people who use the net all the time and shift between 3 or 8 different pages of the net on Safari, I could see a .mobile version being much better. I would just vote for an app.

[zachattacksox]

If there was a toucharcade app I would pay a dollar or I wouldn't mind adds on a free version. Push notifications would be a great idea.

[ShadowsFall]

If there was a toucharcade app I would pay a dollar or I wouldn't mind adds on a free version. Push notifications would be a great idea.

Exactly...

[djflippy]

/Do want

[The Game Reaper]

I think it's finally coming!

Arn's Tweet: looking for iphone dev to do some contract work on iphone app (not a game). email arn@normalkid.com thanks.

[ImNoSuperMan]

Great news. Though I dont think I`d be using that app much as mobile version is good enough for now and it doesnt need me to switch between apps everytime I want to check out something on appshopper.com

Now if only that app would combine not just the forums but appshopper too :eek:. That`d be awesome enough for me to pay for it if required :D:D

[redgaz26]

whats the mobile site address??

found it but no forums????
its awful

[skipper587]

You know, this is ironic, but I am actually the one that got arn's attention. :P Maybe?

[ImNoSuperMan]

You know, this is ironic, but I am actually the one that got arn's attention. :P Maybe?
Why do you think so :confused:

[skipper587]

Why do you think so :confused:

http://forums.toucharcade.com/showthread.php?t=24642

There's your answer.

[DaveMc99]

There's your answer.

arn did not close that thread ;)

[skipper587]

arn did not close that thread ;)

Someone did, and now look what is happening. I got TouchArcade's attention.

EDIT: Oh dude! Sorry! I fail :P But really, did I spark you guy's imagination?

[ImNoSuperMan]

Someone did, and now look what is happening. I got TouchArcade's attention.

EDIT: Oh dude! Sorry! I fail :P But really, did I spark you guy's imagination?
Don't think so but thanx for that thread. I had good laugh when I read kamazar's comment there the other day :p

[skipper587]

Don't think so but thanx for that thread. I had good laugh when I read kamazar's comment there the other day :p

We'll see. Hey, that app in your siggy, is it yours?

[ImNoSuperMan]

We'll see.
No idea what you meant by this ^^
Anyways, dont care anymore so lets leave it there only ;)
Hey, that app in your siggy, is it yours?
Nope. Its not mine. The game is pretty good, though nothing exceptionally great but good enough at what it`s supposed to do. The dev is super nice too , and he sold just 200 copies so far. :(

He never expected to sell a million of this game but atleast a 1000 copies would have been a safe bet and enough to cover the costs. I`m just trying to do my bit to get some attention towards the game. Check out the thread to see if you find something interesting there :)

But nothing to worry now as his next game will feature zombies :rolleyes::p

[Fletch]

We'll see. Hey, that app in your siggy, is it yours?
On the subject of signatures...The Christians of TA? really? hmmm...I should set up an atheist group to balance things out :)

[Lombardo]

On the subject of signatures...The Christians of TA? really? hmmm...I should set up an atheist group to balance things out :)

I would join.

[skipper587]

No religious arguments please, everyone is entitled to their opinions, and all I am doing is expressing my faith. You're welcome to do that, just keep it to the siggies please.

[Fletch]

No religious arguments please, everyone is entitled to their opinions, and all I am doing is expressing my faith. You're welcome to do that, just keep it to the siggies please.
And all i was doing was expressing my lack thereof, it wasn't meant to offend/fuel debate

[skipper587]

And all i was doing was expressing my lack thereof, it wasn't meant to offend/fuel debate

That's why I'm going to leave it at that.

ON SUBJECT: Has there been any more news on this?

[MaskU2See]

I too would pay for a TA.com App.
I visit this site at least 10 times a day and its painful to do so on the iphone.

[qasim]

If they make a Touch Arcade app, my life would be COMPLETE! So much easier then to use it on Safari.

It would be just like what Facebook did to Facebook on the App Store!

I hope they make it. I'd pay a buck or two for it! But, I'd rather have it free, even with ads on the bottom.

C'mon Arn! Let's do this! :)

[dommur]

You can make your own touch arcade app heres how:
1. open safari on your ipod or iphone
2. go to toucharcade.com
3. press the add button on the bottom of the safari browser (looks like this (+) lol )
4. press the "Add to Home Screen" option
5. Rename it to TouchArcade
6. Press add on the top righthand corner of the screen
7. an icon will be on the the home screen
8. now you have a touch arcade app ENJOY

[zachattacksox]

That's not the point. We don't want some icon on our home page. We want easier navigation, easier posting, and faster loading times. Things an actual app can give us. Not just some icon.

[NomaD]

You can make your own touch arcade app heres how:
1. open safari on your ipod or iphone
2. go to toucharcade.com
3. press the add button on the bottom of the safari browser (looks like this (+) lol )
4. press the "Add to Home Screen" option
5. Rename it to TouchArcade
6. Press add on the top righthand corner of the screen
7. an icon will be on the the home screen
8. now you have a touch arcade app ENJOY

lol....

last time i checked, myspace mobile was easier to navigate around than the actual website, because they made things easier to access.

[sizzlakalonji]

That's why I'm going to leave it at that.

ON SUBJECT: Has there been any more news on this?

Does anyone else find his signature just a touch ironic?

[upsidedown]

Does anyone else find his signature just a touch ironic?

That is true.

[skipper587]

Does anyone else find his signature just a touch ironic?

What exactly do you mean by that...

[Nolan14235]

Haha... I was thinking of a TA app yesterday. It would be so cool if they made it!!! :D

[Real Racing Fan]

That would be a GREAT idea! :D

[Exile]

have you guys tried the app called "forums"?

its terrible but its a step in the right direction.

[qasim]

So will this happeN? I want it to soo bad

[galsabag]

Yeah can be pretty cool. hope Hoddap or arn are reading some of the comments on this thread and consider it. Thanks guys =]

[spidey146]

Yeah can be pretty cool. hope Hoddap or arn are reading some of the comments on this thread and consider it. Thanks guys =]

i said it to arn and he said the guy who was in charge of the forums knew about it but i dont remember what he sid after

[hapz]

any iPhone devs want to make an "Unofficial version" by scraping the HTML and formatting it nicely for the iPhone??

[qasim]

Is this gonna happen? Arn? It would be great :)