Android Town - social community application
- Thread starter BeerBelly
- Start date
First of all thank you for developing this brilliant app and being as responsive as you have been, this looks to be the start of something huge. I installed the app and have been using it and I see lots of potential in it.
You've been very cool about accepting advice/critiques and very responsive to bugs, etc., so I figured I'd make a couple of suggestions of my own for your consideration
A standalone buddy list (like AIM, Yahoo! and MSN) with features unique to Android, and functions that could be integrated with other apps in a way that the other IM services aren't. For example, maybe you can have the IM portion run separately until you summon the location portion of the app (with the search button perhaps?). Or maybe just provide us with the option to configure the app to run it either way, the way its set up now or as a standalone IM client (I think having the flexibility to do both will make this app definitely stand out).
The ability to send files (vids, ringtones, etc.) to someone.
Also, maybe there can be more privacy controls. The option of sharing your location with people on your list, people in your town, region, etc., or going invisible would be welcomed additions, and I say this because there are a great number of people who would enjoy an app but who are concerned about their privacy/security as someone previously posted.
Buddy list options so that you can send messages to specific groups of people (friends, family, coworkers, etc.), that would work great with the invites feature imho
Also, a widget would be pretty hot!
It's been mentioned before, this can be Androids response to bbm, I for one think it has the potential to be far greater!
those are just some ideas I had, hope they help!
You've been very cool about accepting advice/critiques and very responsive to bugs, etc., so I figured I'd make a couple of suggestions of my own for your consideration
A standalone buddy list (like AIM, Yahoo! and MSN) with features unique to Android, and functions that could be integrated with other apps in a way that the other IM services aren't. For example, maybe you can have the IM portion run separately until you summon the location portion of the app (with the search button perhaps?). Or maybe just provide us with the option to configure the app to run it either way, the way its set up now or as a standalone IM client (I think having the flexibility to do both will make this app definitely stand out).
The ability to send files (vids, ringtones, etc.) to someone.
Also, maybe there can be more privacy controls. The option of sharing your location with people on your list, people in your town, region, etc., or going invisible would be welcomed additions, and I say this because there are a great number of people who would enjoy an app but who are concerned about their privacy/security as someone previously posted.
Buddy list options so that you can send messages to specific groups of people (friends, family, coworkers, etc.), that would work great with the invites feature imho
Also, a widget would be pretty hot!
It's been mentioned before, this can be Androids response to bbm, I for one think it has the potential to be far greater!
those are just some ideas I had, hope they help!
I predict that by this time next year this will he the must have app for anyone with an android. Within a couple years (unless something unforeseen with fb, Android, or this app) it will have over a million users.
Which is all fantastic, but as major area's get overcrowded then need for a 2500mile radius will he useless, and as mentioned before having a way to view only friends, or friends in a different color with grow in importance.
No matter how bog this app gets, don't forget about the everyday users. I know you can't listen to everyone, or make everyone happy. Right now though since you have been putting so much time responding to the users in forum, I have been telling everyone possible to download this app. I hope you will still be as open minded in the future as you have been so far. Once again good luck having the project grow.
Sent from my ADR6300 using Tapatalk
Which is all fantastic, but as major area's get overcrowded then need for a 2500mile radius will he useless, and as mentioned before having a way to view only friends, or friends in a different color with grow in importance.
No matter how bog this app gets, don't forget about the everyday users. I know you can't listen to everyone, or make everyone happy. Right now though since you have been putting so much time responding to the users in forum, I have been telling everyone possible to download this app. I hope you will still be as open minded in the future as you have been so far. Once again good luck having the project grow.
Sent from my ADR6300 using Tapatalk
Thank you for the encouragement guys
I think that this forum has helped (and will help) the application to grow immensely. The feedback and the suggestions I received here were both top notch...and so were the criticisms. I just hope the feedback doesn't stop
About the suggestions:
Privacy control is coming in the next patch. At first you will have the option in the settings whether to update your location automatically or manually. If manual update is chosen, you will be able to "check-in" with a special button.
At the registration you will receive a warning dialog that upon registration your location will be noted but afterwards you are able to update your location only if you wish to.
I hope privacy concerns will be addressed with this.
About IM being a seperate part of the app. I think that your suggestion about having control over the way application behaves is good. Either loading the map or the messaging screen. Although how would you be able to pick someone to send a msg to? Would you be only able to message your friends? Or would you get a list of people in the chosen radius (a text list).
Sending files is also in the works. I think that when I change the send picture method to one where you can choose a picture from the SD card, not just shoot a pic, that then I will also include the ability to attach files to messages.
What kind of widget did you have in mind? What data would be displayed?
@nvr2nd:
I hope you're right About the bigger radiuses being useless at that point, I do agree. I will need to do something about that (maybe being able to search for people at a specific location -- with the usual radius applied).
Displaying friends is also in the works. It will most likely be an option in the search screen.
Btw, the new website is up.
I think that this forum has helped (and will help) the application to grow immensely. The feedback and the suggestions I received here were both top notch...and so were the criticisms. I just hope the feedback doesn't stop
About the suggestions:
Privacy control is coming in the next patch. At first you will have the option in the settings whether to update your location automatically or manually. If manual update is chosen, you will be able to "check-in" with a special button.
At the registration you will receive a warning dialog that upon registration your location will be noted but afterwards you are able to update your location only if you wish to.
I hope privacy concerns will be addressed with this.
About IM being a seperate part of the app. I think that your suggestion about having control over the way application behaves is good. Either loading the map or the messaging screen. Although how would you be able to pick someone to send a msg to? Would you be only able to message your friends? Or would you get a list of people in the chosen radius (a text list).
Sending files is also in the works. I think that when I change the send picture method to one where you can choose a picture from the SD card, not just shoot a pic, that then I will also include the ability to attach files to messages.
What kind of widget did you have in mind? What data would be displayed?
@nvr2nd:
I hope you're right
About the bigger radiuses being useless at that point, I do agree. I will need to do something about that (maybe being able to search for people at a specific location -- with the usual radius applied). Displaying friends is also in the works. It will most likely be an option in the search screen.
Btw, the new website is up.
Last edited:
Kage_
Well-known member
- Apr 5, 2010
- 396
- 7
- 0
Yup the site looks great!
Thanks for the manual GPS checkin, I'm looking forward to that in the next version.
As the number of users grow you may want to put a defined timeout, either user or system, to remove inactive users from the map. Right now it's not big of an issue, but if the app continues to grow you could have a lot of gray ppl on the map that haven't used it in ages causing clutter.
Thanks for the manual GPS checkin, I'm looking forward to that in the next version.
As the number of users grow you may want to put a defined timeout, either user or system, to remove inactive users from the map. Right now it's not big of an issue, but if the app continues to grow you could have a lot of gray ppl on the map that haven't used it in ages causing clutter.
Yep, I already intend to sort users by time of login as well. Manual check in is most likely coming tomorrow. Need to iron out some bug first
Thank you Like I said...update coming tomorrow. And hopefully I can get the push messaging update out for the weekend.
Like I said...update coming tomorrow. And hopefully I can get the push messaging update out for the weekend.Update published on the market:
Changelog:
- added the option to manually update your location (Menu -> Settings -> check "manual location updates"). There is a button next to the radius spinner that does that without saving it in the system...so you can start the app, have automatic locations enabled and if you press that button it'll stop updating and the button switches to a compass view...press that again and it starts updating again.
- avatars added. Upload your avatar on the website through your profile. You will be able to update the profile within the app soon.
- if you click on a profile picture it shows it in bigger view.
- new app icon
- fixed some bugs
Next update plans to have push messaging and a rework of the notification system and view.
Changelog:
- added the option to manually update your location (Menu -> Settings -> check "manual location updates"). There is a button next to the radius spinner that does that without saving it in the system...so you can start the app, have automatic locations enabled and if you press that button it'll stop updating and the button switches to a compass view...press that again and it starts updating again.
- avatars added. Upload your avatar on the website through your profile. You will be able to update the profile within the app soon.
- if you click on a profile picture it shows it in bigger view.
- new app icon
- fixed some bugs
Next update plans to have push messaging and a rework of the notification system and view.
Sorry for my delay in responding!
What I meant was exactly as you said, displaying just the contact list so that you would only be able to message your friends and if you wanted to message someone new you would have the option (via the search key or whatever option you think would be best) to open up the map and search for new friends. Or a combination of both or any number of configurations you could think of, that would be pretty cool. I now this app is going to be huge and the amount of users will get ridiculous to the point where people will have a huge contact list and at that point will probably only want to just send messages to people on their list. Maybe the widget can display your contact list, messages, notifications, and/or invites. Maybe there could be other options for searching for people, keywords, hobbies, interests, location, etc.
People love Android for a lot of reasons but I think one of the principal ones is because we can personalize it far easier (and in much cooler ways I might add) compared to other platforms, and I think if that if you gave us the ability to personalize some things within this app it would be a huge incentive for people looking to move to this app from other messaging services.
As far as privacy controls go, too much is never enough for some people. There is a lot of concern over privacy now a days. So the more up front you are about what the app does and what kind of information is displayed it will be better in the long run. And the more options we have as users as to what kind of information we display is key. I can't emphasize this enough because all it takes is one a**hole to ruin the experience for all of us, so if you can cover your a** as much as possible in these early stages you're gonna be alright! This is more about advice than me asking for something. I really love this app, and the enormous potential it has and I would love to see it continue to grow as it has smoothly and without a hitch!
Since I downloaded the app and signed up the amount of people who have joined has doubled, thats amazing! I think a huge part of that is because of how cool you've been. Keep up the amazing work!
What I meant was exactly as you said, displaying just the contact list so that you would only be able to message your friends and if you wanted to message someone new you would have the option (via the search key or whatever option you think would be best) to open up the map and search for new friends. Or a combination of both or any number of configurations you could think of, that would be pretty cool. I now this app is going to be huge and the amount of users will get ridiculous to the point where people will have a huge contact list and at that point will probably only want to just send messages to people on their list. Maybe the widget can display your contact list, messages, notifications, and/or invites. Maybe there could be other options for searching for people, keywords, hobbies, interests, location, etc.
People love Android for a lot of reasons but I think one of the principal ones is because we can personalize it far easier (and in much cooler ways I might add) compared to other platforms, and I think if that if you gave us the ability to personalize some things within this app it would be a huge incentive for people looking to move to this app from other messaging services.
As far as privacy controls go, too much is never enough for some people. There is a lot of concern over privacy now a days. So the more up front you are about what the app does and what kind of information is displayed it will be better in the long run. And the more options we have as users as to what kind of information we display is key. I can't emphasize this enough because all it takes is one a**hole to ruin the experience for all of us, so if you can cover your a** as much as possible in these early stages you're gonna be alright! This is more about advice than me asking for something. I really love this app, and the enormous potential it has and I would love to see it continue to grow as it has smoothly and without a hitch!
Since I downloaded the app and signed up the amount of people who have joined has doubled, thats amazing! I think a huge part of that is because of how cool you've been. Keep up the amazing work!
Hey again,
a contact list is coming in the next update that will feature a rework of the notification system (inbox, sent, contact list) and hopefully introduce push messaging as well.
A contact list will consist of all your friends and all the people you messaged or received messages from. A widget is planned somewhat further along, until we see how the new system holds up.
Today's update included privacy controls as well. You can now update your location only when you choose to. Hopefully that will address some concerns people had with privacy.
Quite a lot of work still ahead of me, but I look forward to it it's nice to see people satisfied with your work.
Btw, I now have a FB page up as well. Android Town | Facebook
a contact list is coming in the next update that will feature a rework of the notification system (inbox, sent, contact list) and hopefully introduce push messaging as well.
A contact list will consist of all your friends and all the people you messaged or received messages from. A widget is planned somewhat further along, until we see how the new system holds up.
Today's update included privacy controls as well. You can now update your location only when you choose to. Hopefully that will address some concerns people had with privacy.
Quite a lot of work still ahead of me, but I look forward to it
it's nice to see people satisfied with your work.Btw, I now have a FB page up as well. Android Town | Facebook
ChaosShadow
Well-known member
- Nov 23, 2009
- 212
- 14
- 0
Just upgraded to the newest version... constantly FCs. Can't even run the app. I've uninstalled, reinstalled, rebooted... the works. No dice 
Ok, Ive looked , and cant figure out what the new icons mean, or what is what on my screen.
From Left to Right I have a circle with an X in the middle and next to that I have a circle with a line horizontal through the middle of it. What do these mean?
From Left to Right I have a circle with an X in the middle and next to that I have a circle with a line horizontal through the middle of it. What do these mean?
@chaos: Is it a force close or a dialog to force close or wait? Any chance I can get you to post me a log? You can do that by downloading an app called Log Collector from the market. Then run Android Town until the Force Close. After that run Log Collector and send the log to bostjan.brumen@gmail.com
@nvr2nd:
first button on the left side is for clearing search results. Meaning that if you enter some search criteria and want to revert back to the original view press that button.
Second button (it's a compass graphic), works as a check in button.
If you have manual location updates enabled, then the button will show a compass graphic and when you press the button it will update your location...not sooner. It will then turn into a stop (circle with a horizontal line through it) button which will stop updates.
In your case you have the stop button show up on startup since you have automatic location updates enabled. If you press the stop button it will stop updating for that session only.
@nvr2nd:
first button on the left side is for clearing search results. Meaning that if you enter some search criteria and want to revert back to the original view press that button.
Second button (it's a compass graphic), works as a check in button.
If you have manual location updates enabled, then the button will show a compass graphic and when you press the button it will update your location...not sooner. It will then turn into a stop (circle with a horizontal line through it) button which will stop updates.
In your case you have the stop button show up on startup since you have automatic location updates enabled. If you press the stop button it will stop updating for that session only.
ChaosShadow
Well-known member
- Nov 23, 2009
- 212
- 14
- 0
I was getting a dialog to FC or Wait. However... oddly enough, I opened it up this morning... and it works
If I have any other issues, I'll be sure to shoot those logs to ya
I installed the latest update when it came out, but haven't had a chance to play around with it yet. I'll be sure to check it out later today.
I was just wondering. Does anyone of you have any preference how to handle the new messaging system?
At the moment I'm thinking about adding an option to the menu which would open up a tabbed view with "Inbox", "Sent" and "Contact list" tabs. What do you think?
At the moment I'm thinking about adding an option to the menu which would open up a tabbed view with "Inbox", "Sent" and "Contact list" tabs. What do you think?
I think that's a good start. A message preview at the Inbox would be nice and even moreso, a way to respond to the message directly from the message screen (or even the Inbox) - being able to see the message as you type your response would be great! Another nice feature might be sorting messages by contact (or any type of sorting).
BTW, the snapping back to my location after search is becoming increasingly irritating. I really hope a fix for that is coming soon...
Hey,
I think a message preview would be really nice...something along a few words from the start written under the name of the sender. Responding directly could be handled by a long press on the message...and viewing the message while responding is needed as well.
Nice ideas.
Oh...and the snap back is getting fixed in the upcoming patch as well.
I think a message preview would be really nice...something along a few words from the start written under the name of the sender. Responding directly could be handled by a long press on the message...and viewing the message while responding is needed as well.
Nice ideas.
Oh...and the snap back is getting fixed in the upcoming patch as well.
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