This sounds good, even as an iPhone user, but I do hope that there could be some 'themes' so I could keep the old iPhone look or something similar. Perhaps this is where the custom CSS could play a part.
We truly are entering a new age.
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A NeoGAF iPhone Web App
- Thread starter ckohler
- Start date
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Yeah, we do.
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Deleted member 22576
Unconfirmed Member
Exciting times!
How difficult is it to make the webapp do the fullscreen thing like some other highend webapps?
How difficult is it to make the webapp do the fullscreen thing like some other highend webapps?
Awww yeah! Those planned features sound great!
Just one question, though. Will it ever be possible to have the "go to first unread post" feature that we enjoy on the full site via the GAF orbs on the left? That's the one feature that I'd kill to have on the mobile site.
Just one question, though. Will it ever be possible to have the "go to first unread post" feature that we enjoy on the full site via the GAF orbs on the left? That's the one feature that I'd kill to have on the mobile site.
I've never heard of a web app forcing full-screen on a mobile browser, but I'd suggest you just use a browser with a full-screen mode. If you're on Android, I'd suggest Boat Browser.
butter_stick
Banned
I hate this, personally.
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Deleted member 22576
Unconfirmed Member
You know, I've never really even considered the pros and cons of it. It just seems neat.
No no, I guess full screen was the wrong word. There is a thing that the Google apps do where it forces the URL bar off the screen.
No no, I guess full screen was the wrong word. There is a thing that the Google apps do where it forces the URL bar off the screen.
What does this even mean? I'm honestly confused.
Oh yeah, this. Forgot to mention it, but it's quite vital and I hope it's possible.
Why would you want this?
Neuromancer
Member
Are you on iOS? I recommend Atomic Browser. Does full screen and tabs, very convenient.
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Deleted member 22576
Unconfirmed Member
It makes it more "App like" so if you add the shortcut/icon to your homescreen it furthers the illusion of a native app.
So like, if you hit the "return to top of page" button at the bottom of a thread. It will shoot you to the top of the page, but not show the URL bar. So you could see like probably one more post.
Thanks for the rec, but I just minced my words. Its early in the morning.
Go to the gmail webapp on your phone. You'll see what I mean.
Frees up a little screen real estate and it doesn't really affect people on mobile since you usually don't have to manipulate it very often. It'd be especially nice for those of us using Google's stock browser on ICS, where the URL bar pops back up on its own.
Also a suggestion: Have the URLs be exactly the same as the desktop version, with "mobile" in place of forum. Better still would be if it used exactly the same URL and would switch based on user agent.
The url bar is always present for you guys?
I can provide ad code whenever for DFP, and then set up google mobile ads for that for the time being, see how that goes. Can only do it when it's up on neogaf.com though, can't serve ads to a different domain.
I guess ad placement would have to be a little different since it's a mobile layout. One somewhere above the fold, one later on, and maybe a guest rectangle between the first and second post on a page if you're not logged in, like it is on the main site. I'd rather not do the shitty ones that stick to the screen as you scroll, those are annoying.
Main ad example:
Guest rectangle examples:
I guess ad placement would have to be a little different since it's a mobile layout. One somewhere above the fold, one later on, and maybe a guest rectangle between the first and second post on a page if you're not logged in, like it is on the main site. I'd rather not do the shitty ones that stick to the screen as you scroll, those are annoying.
Main ad example:
Guest rectangle examples:
the URL bars slides out of the way when the page is finished loading. you swipe to the top of the page to reveal it.
it's the button bar on the bottom that never goes away in Safari
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Deleted member 22576
Unconfirmed Member
Nah. It works pretty much the same way Android did. Or at least pre-ICS Android, which I guess in turn worked the same way iOS did. So no, the URL bar behaves exactly like you'd expect it to.
Randy Lanzarote
Member
Please, please, please.... Pretty please.... Can we have a "Go to last new post" function?
Harry Potter
Banned
Are you not able to make new threads with the current app?
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Deleted member 30609
Unconfirmed Member
Bottom right of the screen on a forum page.
The Lamonster
Member
Just wanted to pop in and say thanks ckohler, I use the mobile site every day on my phone.
I'm really looking forward to the official project.
I'm really looking forward to the official project.
It already exists - tap the arrow to the right of the thread title.
Harry Potter
Banned
thats last page but not last new post. I imagine changing from screen scraping to direct db access would allow proper last post functionality for that arrow.
(and that arrow needs to be shaped like a button cuz its not an obvious tap target
Yes, floating ads do take up too much real-estate and are kinda buggy anyway.
How about the following:
We have a main ad right at the top like you suggest (just below the header) on every one of high traffic pages (main menu, view forum, view thread, view single post, view pm, view subscribed threads, settings, view user, etc.) The 320x50 example you provided would absolutely be the best format to use. It's attractive and doesn't eat up too much vertical space. When it comes to mobile sites, vertical space is at the most premium because of scrolling.
The only difference I recommend would be keeping this main ad off of the new post and new thread composition pages since a tap on an ad there could loose someone a lengthy composition. Mobile browsers are notorious for not caching what you've typed into forms.
Then, like you said, for users who are not logged in we display either a 200x200 or 300x250 ad after the first post in a thread just like you do on the main site. Logged in users would not see this ad.
As for having a third ad at the bottom above the footer, I'm kinda thinking that would be overkill. It's rare for mobile sites to have more than one ad per page request anyway and on some short screens (like the main menu) both ads could potentially be on the screen at the same time.
What are your thoughts? Once we agree on a plan, I can start working on some fake mockups to test out what the experience would be like.
Good point, yeah. That's fine.
*nod*, whichever looks better really.
Maybe just on larger pages, then. When the main forum page was really small on GAF, I had the footer ad disabled on on that page, but longer pages like thread lists and thread interiors still had footer ads. Footer ads really don't ad any sort of obtrusion since they're below the content, but tend to still bring in a significant amount of revenue, so I figure it can't hurt (beyond adding a request, a few KB, and a bit of RAM, I suppose).
Sounds like we're on the same page really, go for it.
I am so against anyone paying anything for NeoGAF, even if it's completely optional and they really really want to do it, as you know by now. I also don't want to add any more work for ckohler at the moment, since he's doing a lot already.
It's not forever 100% out of the question I guess, but not happening for launch. I'll see what the revenue situation's like after we go live, and maybe I can calculate what a NeoGAF Mobile Gold membership would cost relative to the ads being removed for a typical user, maybe, but that's a discussion for down the road. Let's put it to rest for the time being.
sixteen-bit
Member
official web app, with search, would be awesome
Neuromancer
Member
Yes please no floating ads. I don't mind ones at the top and/or bottom though.
Pretty sure ckohler's used to have search until the last big site shake up.
Auron_Kale
Member
Been using the app ever since I got my first ipod touch (obviously now I'm on my iphone 4s) but it's been invaluable to me so thanks for making this webapp ckohler.
Also liking the ideas for the official app and thanks to EviLore for leaving a paid option open as I wouldn't mind tossing a few bucks for an ad-free sub. And throwing my 2 cents for no floating ads - just ones at top (under the URL bar) and/or at the very bottom are cool.
Regardless, it's the best way to view GAF while on a mobile device imo.
Also liking the ideas for the official app and thanks to EviLore for leaving a paid option open as I wouldn't mind tossing a few bucks for an ad-free sub. And throwing my 2 cents for no floating ads - just ones at top (under the URL bar) and/or at the very bottom are cool.
Regardless, it's the best way to view GAF while on a mobile device imo.
ClovingWestbrook
Banned
Have to agree.
Just wanted to say I approve of the talk in this thread right now.
The #1 feature request from me is go to first unread. Maybe access to the forum code will give you some ideas for making it work.
please please please. It's the only reason I still use the full site on my iPad.
Here's some ideas I've been mocking up. I decided to go outside the box in an attempt to reduce vertical space lost to the addition of the ads. I came up with the idea of removing the gray sub-headers entirely. The only downside to this idea is that the thread title is clipped on the thread view page. Not a biggie, though.
Also, I added a "Menu" button to the right that when clicked expands to reveal up to four options (instead of the button only doing one thing like it does now). It looks cool and helps save space. I haven't designed the bottom of these pages although I feel that's the easy stuff to do. I might get creative down there also. There could still be shortcuts also like tapping the NeoGAF logo would also be a "Back" button and tapping the Title would jump you down to the bottom of the page, etc.
Forum View:
Forum View Expanded (after menu button is pressed):
Thread View:
Thread View Expanded (after menu button pressed):
Thoughts?
Also, I added a "Menu" button to the right that when clicked expands to reveal up to four options (instead of the button only doing one thing like it does now). It looks cool and helps save space. I haven't designed the bottom of these pages although I feel that's the easy stuff to do. I might get creative down there also. There could still be shortcuts also like tapping the NeoGAF logo would also be a "Back" button and tapping the Title would jump you down to the bottom of the page, etc.
Forum View:
Forum View Expanded (after menu button is pressed):
Thread View:
Thread View Expanded (after menu button pressed):
Thoughts?
brianmcdoogle
Member
how will ads look on iPad and in landscape?
DeathbyVolcano
Banned
hey kohler, good stuff from you for so long. I'm a fan!
Instead of the so-so design choise of that menu button and what it entails, have you thought about doing what Facebook and Path do?
Something like that. I don't know what difficulties that adds in regards to coding and such, but let me know what you think.
Instead of the so-so design choise of that menu button and what it entails, have you thought about doing what Facebook and Path do?
Something like that. I don't know what difficulties that adds in regards to coding and such, but let me know what you think.
Good Job Bob
Member
Looks great.
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