app

[Dr.House 0]

have you guys ever thoght of making an app for this? it would be great

[Marcato 2,143]

Hi Doctor,

It has been stated many times before that an app is not going to be made, whether it be for MLP Forums or Pony.FM.

Since an app would only work on certain devices, it is much easier for the staff to make a HTML 5 site for mobile, since almost all new devices support HTML 5.

In short, it's too much work to create an app and its easier to have a mobile site instead.

Actually there are some significant differences between HTML5 and Native applications. Although it's true that IOS developers must pay an annoying $100 to create an app on the appstore, Android lets you use and create apps with the SDK for free. 

 

The advantage of Native apps is that they are significantly faster than HTML5 or other web-apps. They process things locally and contain it within it's own designated location. Native apps also have much more access to the phone or device itself. E.g. push notifications, or being able to listen to pony.fm music through the app and being able to put it into sleep mode with it still playing. (Yes, some people don't bother downloading. I know it's odd.)

 

Not to mention, native apps work both online and offline, while webapps or HTML5 apps require you to be connected to the internet. An application would give the option to say save your favorite pony.fm tracks for use offline, that way it isn't entirely necessary to remain always connected.

 

 

However would it be a lot of work? Definitely. Pony.fm is a part of Poniverse, and currently Poniverse has a lot of other things to focus on. (BronyCon, other sites, etc.) Mobile applications have been considered, but currently there's just too much else to focus on. (Not to mention it would require learning or becoming familiar with the IOS or Android SDK. The same goes for HTML5 to an extent.)

 

I've done some research into android app creation myself, and from what I've seen it isn't much different from the Java programming language. (What Minecraft is programmed in if you need an example.) 

 

Maybe some day after BronyCon has passed by, and when more developers or coders are available, it *might* be something to consider. I would seriously like to see something like this, but in truth it's not entirely feasible at the moment.

 

TL;DR

A mobile app would be better for it's speed and features, but currently isn't something easily available.

[Twilight Sparkle ✨ 8,529]

@@Dr.House,

 

Hi Doctor,
It has been stated many times before that an app is not going to be made, whether it be for MLP Forums or Pony.FM.
Since an app would only work on certain devices, it is much easier for the staff to make a HTML 5 site for mobile, since almost all new devices support HTML 5.
In short, it's too much work to create an app and its easier to have a mobile site instead.

 

I never said that an app will *not* be made; just that we have some complications that must be worked out before it can happen. Pony.fm does, in fact, have a mobile app in the cards, but the current priority remains the website itself, as there's still a lot to work on there. I'm afraid it's far too early for me to make any promises other than "we're working on something", however.

 

As for MLP Forums, I have some pretty big plans lined up for that which are very much relevant to all things mobile, but... nothing to announce yet. Sorry.

[Zygen 6,066]

I do agree that some thing on mobile devices(particularly pertaining to status updates) can be a bit annoying, but I think theres actually a very large amount of work involved in doing a whole App for the forums, and it also costs money, and I think that currently Feld0 and the others are probably busy with many other things.