It has been talked about before and I don't think I said much about it other than I didn't have time to make one myself. I will say that I talked to two different software developers earlier this year. Both of them contacted me and wanted to use BP as the backbone of an app that they would pay for. Both of them backed out eventually because of the investment. It was going to cost them $20k and $40k and 3-6 months for what they wanted to make . Keep in mind these were actual software companies that have employees and overhead to pay. There was a lot more involved with these apps than just using BP like it is now. Technically you don't need to create an app to take advantage any of BPs features. Everything can be done with a mobile site. Apps are better for doing other things, beyond what BP does now. I plan on making a mobile site after the new site is released. That's not a big deal.

Mobil site = PERFECT!!! Btw, are you ever going to reveal the logo winner? I never saw an announcement if you did. I hope all is well Flash, thanks for all you do. t.

as far as apps are concerned i've found that they are very little help. I only speak form an iphone view but i can go online and enter, i can do voice, and i can put info into the note pad. Ive found that the apps for the other sites all pretty much suck balls. I see no need and no advantage whatsoever for a beerpal app. waste of money and time.

What what what? Have you lost your minds? An app would be great (if done right) and much, MUCH more useful than a mobile site. We "could" scan the barcode of a beer, check a few boxes, speak some text and hit enter. MUCH faster than the current method of reviewing and in real-time, anyplace, anywhere. You can't do that with a mobile site or even this website. It would take an app, and there would have to be an iPhone AND Android version at a minimum to be effective. Notice I didn't say it would be easy...but 40k? Who's kidding who? The tools are free, it just takes a software developer with access to the database to make this possible. I've seen decent apps kicked out in a day or two of very productive work. I can probably get someone to take this on provided they can have unfettered access to what they need to make it work. This is the next step in the natural evolution of things, and clearly we are (woefully?) behind the curve. I guess it depends on what ya want BP to be. It can stay the same or it can evolve. I provided a litany of what I thought (and others agreed) would be good changes to try to make quite awhile ago. I've read a new site is coming. I think it's natural for a mobile app to go with it. Anyways, all of that to say good ideas shouldn't just get kicked to the curb immediately, perhaps they should be explored further. 40k? What a load of crap!

quote: quote: Originally posted by rainman What what what? Have you lost your minds? An app would be great (if done right) and much, MUCH more useful than a mobile site. We "could" scan the barcode of a beer, check a few boxes, speak some text and hit enter. MUCH faster than the current method of reviewing and in real-time, anyplace, anywhere. You can't do that with a mobile site or even this website. It would take an app, and there would have to be an iPhone AND Android version at a minimum to be effective.

Notice I said you don't need an app to take advantage of any BP's features. You're talking about features that don't exist on the site now. The prices quoted were not for a mobile app of the site. We were looking at something totally different that has never been done by anyone yet. It would just happen to integrate with the BP database and membership.

quote: Originally posted by rainman The tools are free, it just takes a software developer with access to the database to make this possible. I've seen decent apps kicked out in a day or two of very productive work. I can probably get someone to take this on provided they can have unfettered access to what they need to make it work.

Most of the programming manhours go into the backend code on the server, not on the app. Maybe someone could make a nice view on the app, but it won't do jack unless the model and controller on the server can digest and return back what the app asks it to do.

quote: quote: Originally posted by rainman We "could" scan the barcode of a beer, check a few boxes, speak some text and hit enter.

The barcode scan does sound interesting. At first I was thinking it sounds like more trouble than it's worth... trying to take the shot of the bar code, compared to typing in a few characters and hitting a search button. But at least the scan would provide a perfect match, assuming it's in the database and entered under the correct beer to begin with. The other thing is that at least in my case, the time when I'm using my phone is when I'm drinking at a bar and I don't have a bottle with a bar code to scan. That doesn't take away from its usefulness when you do have a label to scan, though. The speech to text reviewing sounds a little messy. I don't know if anyone can speak their review on the spot like that. I take notes as I go and sometimes have to edit them when I'm done. I'd also be afraid of looking like I'm performing an autopsy on my beer while at the bar LOL. Me speaking into my phone: "Tuesday, 5:43 AM at the Brew ha bar. First one of the night is a blonde, aged 2 months. Great lacing and a nice, smooth body, but too cold." Guy sitting next to me: "WTF dude." And just for fun, below is a phone message I got at work. The system emails you your phone messages using Microsoft Speech Technology. I thought it was an error until I listened to the message and it was a guy with an accent lol: "Time extended an engine error so it can't project -- answer I wonder if I may ask you have there -- and name to call for a again here's an antenna standard name -- looks anyway scenic annie's closest to to identify 93 again he there's -- unless they had to us and actually 01 something like that but just in time for 60% I'm going to call in and QUH dash 01864 dance but please."

quote: Originally posted by Flashpro ...looking like I'm performing an autopsy on my beer while at the bar LOL. Me speaking into my phone: "Tuesday, 5:43 AM at the Brew ha bar. First one of the night is a blonde, aged 2 months. Great lacing and a nice, smooth body, but too cold." Guy sitting next to me: "WTF dude."

OK, now that you put it that way - LOL. Oh well, one thing at a time. The new website clearly must come first, looking forward to it!

I've entered posts and reviews many times from my Android. Beats lugging a lapper around. It's a bit cumbersome (I'm all thumbs and the keyboard is tiny) but very doable.

I've not reviewed a beer yet on my Droid, but it is handy for reading "the buzz" and quick posts like this.