Would You Like To See A Mobile Application For The Forum?

[Tim Kelley]

The software running this forum has the ability to be used by a mobile client like a smartphone or tablet.

There is some more information on this here: https://www.vbulletin.com/index.php?do=mobile

Would forum users be interested in having a feature like this for when you are out and about? There is a small cost and some time involved in getting this up and running so we’d like to make sure it’s something people would want to try out. Do any of you power users have any experience with this type of thing?

[americancyclo]

There’s a couple of fora that I’ve used recently that ask if I’d like to use their mobile app. I would use one for this forum, and I would also be happy to see a mobile version, since I’m not always in front of the computer, or might like to post trail conditions from the field.

[acc]

I can access this site on my phone now. In fact if there is something strange going on trail-wise I’ve pulled over and posted.

ann

[Joe Chapline]

@acc 6752 wrote:

I can access this site on my phone now. In fact if there is something strange going on trail-wise I’ve pulled over and posted.

Good to know. What kind of phone are you using? I don’t think vBulletin’s mobile suite includes anything new for mobile web. I think it’s just apps for Android and iPhone.

Any reports about how well the forum works on mobile devices now would be appreciated. It works fine on my iPad.

[jrenaut]

It looks fine on my Droid.

I have had problems with Chromium (the completely open-source version of Chrome) on Crunchbang Linux. I realize that’s a fairly obscure combination, but I haven’t had any problems like this on any other site. I can’t view uploaded photos, and I can’t use the “Reply to Thread” button. The little reply button on each post works, though.

[SteveTheTech]

I personally do not think a mobile version is really needed anymore.
The large car forum I volunteer as a mod for had a large scale discussion on this topic recently. Making something that would work with tapatalk and the other mobile based readers was not deemed to be worth the work needed.

Anyone with a semi smart phone should be able to render the graphics here.

I’m running Gingerbread on my HTC evo 4g and the site works great. Posts and edits properly.

I’m pretty interested to see what this awesome group a’ locals thinks

[CCrew]

Thought Tapatalk supported vBulletin?
http://www.tapatalk.com/

[acc]

I have an i-phone. In fact at least half of what I post is from the phone.

ann

[americancyclo]

It looks ok now on my Verizon Droid. I just wish the nav buttons were all visible on a single page. Also would be nice not to have to zoom in so much. Of course these are all “nice to have’s ” not needs.

[StopMeansStop]

I really don’t like the mobile versions, especially the sites that want you to download an app just for their site when the native mobile browser works just fine.

[JimF22003]

Not me personally.

[hencio]

A mobile app would be nice, but really, a mobile specific site that is optimized for the modern smartphone browsers would work just fine.

[DCLiz]

The advantage of an app, presumably, is that it could be used without a wireless connection (like on Metro). I’d use it for this purpose.

[Joe Chapline]

@CCrew 6757 wrote:

Thought Tapatalk supported vBulletin?
http://www.tapatalk.com/

The Washington Area Bike Forum can now be accessed with the Tapatalk app for Android and iPhone. This is a very popular app that provides access to thousands of forums. It works offline, and is designed for small screens. On Android devices, you can create a widget to get to the forum directly.

After installing the Tapatalk app ($2.99) you can search for the forum by name, or go through their network hierarchy — it’s under Sports/Running and Biking. I’d rather have it under Transportation, but they don’t have a transportation category, and this is where all of the bike forums are.

I researched vBulletin’s solution for creating a mobile version (vBulletin Mobile Suite). Apparently it provides a way to develop custom apps, which we would then have to submit to Apple and Android Market. It looks like a pain, I’m seeing a lot of negative feedback about it, and there doesn’t seem to be a big demand. So we’re going to shelve that idea for now.

[StopMeansStop]

Do not like. Getting that annoying tapatalk message every time now.

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