Thread: Would you use an Iphone or Android app for mobile access to BroncosForums? (poll - no registration to vote)

Ok, I'm trying to judge how much demand there will be for BroncosForums Iphone and Android specific apps. These apps would be created by vBulletin, but then customized for BroncosForums. Also, there will likely be a Windows Phone 7 version coming in the future.

First, a couple videos to give you an idea of what the app would do and then some more comments.

General overview of Iphone app (Android should be very similar)



More zoomed in view and showing how to reply to a post (including adding an image)



There are a few challenges with doing this, mostly due to Apple being Apple, but I wanted to judge demand before going much farther with it.

In a year or two, I hope I would.

edit: I would like to point out that has completely different meaning here than mania. I meant it more in that way...

Sure if I had one.

I voted no. I have an android and never even use the mobile site that you have setup. Websites work perfectly as is.

Has Vbulletin release a pricing structure? Tapatalk is free to add your forum as a content owner. The app itself come with two verions. A free limited version or 2.99 full featured version.

http://www.tapatalk.com/

I can easily view your forum right now off my iphone and I like the fact you do not force a mobile version like the broncomania forums. They do not even have an option to disable the mobile mode so you have to use trick in order not to deal with that.

My dev android is dead atm, so but I am sure I can view this website just as clearly on that too.

If Vbulletin was including the app as part of their current costs I would do it anyways but I have a feeling that for the app Vbulletin will raise their licensing fees another 100 dollars for every forum owner who wants the app. Or they will just raise it a 100 dollars and include the app anyways.

Originally Posted by Luckyshot

Has Vbulletin release a pricing structure? Tapatalk is free to add your forum as a content owner. The app itself come with two verions. A free limited version or 2.99 full featured version.

http://www.tapatalk.com/

I can easily view your forum right now off my iphone and I like the fact you do not force a mobile version like the broncomania forums. They do not even have an option to disable the mobile mode so you have to use trick in order not to deal with that.

My dev android is dead atm, so but I am sure I can view this website just as clearly on that too.

If Vbulletin was including the app as part of their current costs I would do it anyways but I have a feeling that for the app Vbulletin will raise their licensing fees another 100 dollars for every forum owner who wants the app. Or they will just raise it a 100 dollars and include the app anyways.

Yes, vBulletin is going to charge. Originally they said it would be $299 for the mobile suite (the two apps, plus future apps like Windows Phone that they make), and then $99 a year. This is in addition to the normal vB license costs. They were doing an intro price of $199, then the $99 a year. However, besides that cost, Apple denied them the right to publish individual forum apps (BroncosForums, HowardForums, etc.) under their developer account, so now that means that I would also have to have an Apple developer account ($99 a year) and android developer account (I think only a $25 setup, and then no annual cost).

So, based on what I know now, it will be an ongoing cost of $200 a year for the mobile apps, unless vBulletin can cut a deal with Apple.

As to Tapatalk. I have hesitated up to this point because there have been a couple high profile forums that were hacked and the reports were that it was from the Tapatalk server plugin. This is always a problem/concern when using 3rd party vBulletin add ons. It's even more of a concern when that app provides login capabilities, including mod and admin logins.

Going free with Tabatalk is very tempting, just not sure it's worth the risk.

Do you have a mac, cause without a mac, you can not publish content.

Think it would be the better option.

Will it make my keyboard bigger.











Just kidding.
Mobile Post via Mobile.BroncosForums.com/forums

I might use it if you had it Tned, but the site works well now as is on my Android, so it's not a pressing concern. I did not answer the poll because of this wishy-washy answer.

Originally Posted by Luckyshot

Do you have a mac, cause without a mac, you can not publish content.

I have access to Macs at work, which I would use to compile (after branding it) and publish.

The only reason why I would see doing an app is if people would use it and if you can have it setup (maybe add support) to help cover the costs of the site.

My concern for you is the name of the forums and how it would lead to the name of the app.

Orangemane for example would not have this issue because even though it discusses denver broncos, the word broncos is not in the name.

Even though broncos is a generic term itself, I could see apple pulling down the app after some lawyer from the NFL says that using the name broncos and the material within the forum is technically infringing on their trademark.

Might seem farfetch but I see devs bitching all the time about reasons like this is why their app got pulled.

I would not think the NFL would sue you or anything like that, but when it comes to the app store they may go after the name of the app itself since it is football related to predatory defend their turf.

And yes apple would pull it even if you didn't infringe on their trademark because of where the request came from.

Originally Posted by Luckyshot

The only reason why I would see doing an app is if people would use it and if you can have it setup (maybe add support) to help cover the costs of the site.

My concern for you is the name of the forums and how it would lead to the name of the app.

Orangemane for example would not have this issue because even though it discusses denver broncos, the word broncos is not in the name.

Even though broncos is a generic term itself, I could see apple pulling down the app after some lawyer from the NFL says that using the name broncos and the material within the forum is technically infringing on their trademark.

Might seem farfetch but I see devs bitching all the time about reasons like this is why their app got pulled.

I would not think the NFL would sue you or anything like that, but when it comes to the app store they may go after the name of the app itself since it is football related to predatory defend their turf.

And yes apple would pull it even if you didn't infringe on their trademark because of where the request came from.

That's a good point and could be an issue. Technically, the term BroncosForums falls under trademark nominative use and is fine, because it describes the function of the site without making any allusions to being part of the Denver Broncos. That said, the NFL is one of the most aggressive defenders of trademarks that exists.

Anyone can sue for anything (and the NFL has deep pockets), but based on court precedent, the name BroncosForums on the app, with a comment in the description of being an unofficial fan forum with no ties to the Denver Broncos or the NFL, 'should' be fine and considered nominative use.

i can use the site without issue on my droid as it is

Originally Posted by NightTrainLayne

I might use it if you had it Tned, but the site works well now as is on my Android, so it's not a pressing concern. I did not answer the poll because of this wishy-washy answer.

i agree with NTL. I often post from my phone just using the normal browser i.e. not the mobile site, and it works just fine!

I don't really see a pressing need right now for an app. Maybe in a few years when the world of mobile devices and integration becomes more streamlined and less burdensome.