As if I don't watch enough TV

@W3bbo: I think the world disagrees, pretty much every smartphone owner interacts through services via custom, single purpose apps rather than the equivalent website. That's a trend I don't see going away.

I should rephrase:

Device applications should present a strong value proposition to the consumer - an application with the same user-experience and functionality as an equivalent website is a wasted effort. A good example is the Maps app on iOS: it provides the same basic functionality as Google Maps in the web-browser, but integrates with the phone's GPS and compass feature, not something web applications can do (for now).

But I'm cynical of the "Check out our app in the store!" slogans pasted to the end of adverts on TV when it's there to get people to buy into a marketing gimmick. This is similar to how every company suddenly felt the need to get a website in the late 1990s, even when it wouldn't be appropriate (obviously it's a necessity now). I'm just wary of gimmicks.

A good example is that UK Train Times application - it provides the exact same functionality as the National Rail website - but it loads faster and targets NR's train times web-service directly instead of going through a fiddly designed-for-desktop web form.

So I suppose a dedicated C9 app might be a good idea - but it really has to be useful and not just a glorified RSS reader with built-in MP4 player.

8 hours ago, ScanIAm wrote

@W3bbo:Meh.  We still don't have a good WP7 app that will work with C9 forums.

Working on it

V2.0 of my app wil have all kinds of goodies,..

@W3bbo: My Channel9 app for wp7 is get's it's data via an OData layer, it's not some RSS feed reader. It also does smooth streaming instead of MP4. It has features this website has not, like a watchlist and resume where you left off.

edit;

Here is my architecture,.

10 hours ago, W3bbo wrote

*snip*

Please don't - this is the exact kind of thinking that spams app stores with single-purpose applications that accomplish the same task a simple and preexisting website does. Or worse: host a webpage view of the actual website itself.

We don't need "%sitename% App" - instead we need the websites to improve the mobile user experience, and stick to developing useful applications.

I think I'd have to disagree with that. It's much faster to use a well-designed application than haul your way around a website that has been 'optimised' for both desktop and mobile browsers. They're two completely different experiences.

@Ray7: Much faster, I don't know about that. Better user experience? sure!

There is a lot of data involved to render something like the frontpage of Channel9. The HTML is the compacter then all the data in an XML feed.

1 day ago, Maddus Mattus wrote

*snip*

Working on it

V2.0 of my app wil have all kinds of goodies,..

I look forward to it.  I have had V1 since I got my phone...I was just disappointed that the coffeehouse wasn't part of it.

1 day ago, Maddus Mattus wrote

@W3bbo: My Channel9 app for wp7 is get's it's data via an OData layer, it's not some RSS feed reader. It also does smooth streaming instead of MP4. It has features this website has not, like a watchlist and resume where you left off.

edit;

Here is my architecture,.

 

1 hour ago, cbae wrote

*snip*Are you sure that the arrows between the C9 client and the other components are pointing in the correct direction?

From the point of view of who initiates the connection, looks fine to me.

@ScanIAm: Working on it,..

I've got my new architecture down, so that I can realease new modules incrementally. V1 was a bit to tightly coupled. Also doing a revision of the UI, the episode screen is horrible. And working on a way to make it free for Niners,.. Maybe include some messaging and a geolocate Niner or somesuch. Live tiles obviously of your favorite show,..

So many ideas, so little time.