RealGM Smartphone App

[Stannis]

The Suggestion

RealGM Smartphone App

I was using my phone today, and I was searching for a good basketball app (NBA focused), and I could not find anything. In my head, I wished there was a RealGM app.

When I say app, I am not talking about the Tapatalk forum app. I am talking about the things beyond the message board, the really neat RealGM tools, wiretaps, analysis, etc. that RealGM has to offer.

It would be nice to have a RealGM app with all their resources and tools organized in a way to fit on a smartphone screen and run efficiently on a smartphone.

The Why? (A RealGM User's Perspective)

RealGM Mobility: For someone who uses RealGM’s resources frequently (not just the forums), it would be nice if I could take those resources with me on my phone. I do not always have a computer with me, but I have my phone with me 99% of the time.

Efficiency: I can run the website on my phone, but since the website is in desktop version, it is a little difficult to run on my phone. RealGM’s web page is large compared to my phone’s screen size; therefore, there is excessive finger dragging. Sometimes my smartphone will freeze on the RealGM website and my phone browser will just restart. This is where a RealGM app will come in handy. An app will run much more efficiently and look much more appealing rather than running the RealGM webpage on a smartphone.

The Opportunities for RealGM

Popularity: I use a Windows Phone, so the app market is not as competitive as the iPhone and Android app market. In my marketplace, I can tell you with confidence that the basketball apps and sports apps in general, are quite poor compared to the RealGM website. It is extremely hard to find a NBA app that provides you with information beyond box scores, and most of the time, those apps cannot even offer good box scores. I honestly have not found a decent sport app yet. I really think a RealGM app will blow it away in the app market. I am not sure how it is in the iPhone and Android app market, but I am sure they do not have an app that can compare with RealGM's tools and resources.

The take-away from the above paragraph is:

The return RealGM will get out of this is an increase in popularity. A “basketball junkie” who downloads a RealGM app will see all the tools and technology RealGM has to offer. I think it will really help RealGM get their name out there and become even more popular than it already is.

Revenue: I cannot speak for anyone else, but I can say I will be willing to pay good money ($$$$$) for such an app.

Misc.

Mobile websites are not so appealing in my eyes. I would much rather prefer a RealGM app as they tend to be more compatible with smartphones and run smoother.

Also, if RealGM ever does move in this direction, please do not leave Windows Phone users out.

My phone: Samsung Focus S, Windows Phone

Thank you for reading,
Shpati

As always, I am only suggesting and expressing my opinion. I never try to tell RealGM administrators and moderators how to do their jobs.

[MalikJoakim24]

+1

[Howard Mass]

I will pass this suggestion along.

Thank you as always Shpati21

[Gek]

I would also be willing to pay money or a RealGM app, but ONLY if it had a forum feature. Else I would likely stick to ESPN's mobile site and Tapatalk. And even then, the forum feature would have to be pretty awesome to replace Tapatalk's.


I would guess that your money may be better spent on a mobile version of the site instead of an application. I realize the OP had some qualms with this, but to smoothly design an app for all 3 major mobile OS's is a HUGE endeavor and he'd likely not see it on Windows Phone for a long time. HTML 5 and CSS 3 will become even more mobile compatible as OS designers upgrade their web apps and there will be no need for a stand alone app.

[Stannis]

Howard Mass, if I may make another suggestion. I know I am thinking way ahead, but If RealGM does decide to go into a mobile app/website direction, I suggest making a Global Announcement Poll first just to get a sense if there will be any interest from current RealGM users (if they will actually use it or if they will be willing to pay, and if so how much); instead of just going straight to the project not knowing if there will even be interest from the current RealGM users or not.

I would also be willing to pay money or a RealGM app, but ONLY if it had a forum feature. Else I would likely stick to ESPN's mobile site and Tapatalk. And even then, the forum feature would have to be pretty awesome to replace Tapatalk's.

I would guess that your money may be better spent on a mobile version of the site instead of an application. I realize the OP had some qualms with this, but to smoothly design an app for all 3 major mobile OS's is a HUGE endeavor and he'd likely not see it on Windows Phone for a long time. HTML 5 and CSS 3 will become even more mobile compatible as OS designers upgrade their web apps and there will be no need for a stand alone app.

I honestly think tapatalk will do as a forum app. If RealGM did have an app, it would be nice to have an "all-in-one" by including the forums, but I do not think it will make or break the app since tapatalk is available.

Yes, I believe you are correct. I know Windows Phone apps are really hard to code compared to Android and iOS platform apps. Making an app for 3 platforms would be an extremely huge project. A mobile site will probably make the most sense. I just like apps better than mobile sites. Apps just have better interfaces. For Windows Phones, I think the interfaces most apps have are beautifully crafted. I think a RealGM app would look really awesome. Websites just tend to be more buggy.

Thank you for the information about HTML 5 and CSS3! I am not that smartphone literate, so that was very informative for me. I hope mobile websites look better in the future. For the Windows Phones, I can tell you that they look very poor right now.

My vote will still stand on an app for 3 different platforms, until I see the HTML 5 and CSS3 in action. I know that is a REALLY high expectation, but it will be what makes me most happy.

I will honestly be cool with spending double digits on a RealGM apps.

[Gek]

HTML5 and CSS3 have been out for awhile. They're just upgrades to HTML4 and CSS2 and so on which are commonly used in web design. They're more efficient and easier to code though making them more optimal for web design. However, like any new thing, it takes awhile for browser makers to catch up to the new standards. This chart will probably do a better job explaining the point I'm trying to get across: http://www.findmebyip.com/litmus/


Here is a mobile equivalent: http://mobilehtml5.org/

Does Chrome make an app for Windows phone? If so, I'd use that over IE and give mobile sites a try.




I agree with the appearance boost apps provide (especially if you have the Lumia - which from when I looked at one had an awesome screen), but from a RealGM stand point it's probably fairly inefficient financially. There's debate in the tech blogosphere that suggests apps may go the way of ole yeller in favor of mobile sites.

[Stannis]

HTML5 and CSS3 have been out for awhile. They're just upgrades to HTML4 and CSS2 and so on which are commonly used in web design. They're more efficient and easier to code though making them more optimal for web design. However, like any new thing, it takes awhile for browser makers to catch up to the new standards. This chart will probably do a better job explaining the point I'm trying to get across: http://www.findmebyip.com/litmus/

Here is a mobile equivalent: http://mobilehtml5.org/

Does Chrome make an app for Windows phone? If so, I'd use that over IE and give mobile sites a try.

I agree with the appearance boost apps provide (especially if you have the Lumia - which from when I looked at one had an awesome screen), but from a RealGM stand point it's probably fairly inefficient financially. There's debate in the tech blogosphere that suggests apps may go the way of ole yeller in favor of mobile sites.

Gek, thank you for this information.

Internet Explorer is the only browser I can use on my phone. My phone is only going to be able to get Windows 7.8 or 7.9, no 8, so I do not even think I will be able to get the new Internet Explorer 10.

Interesting points you brought up apps and mobile sites.

Hopefully, Windows Phones steps up its game and will be more appealing to app developers financially.

[Howard Mass]

Shpati21,

It's never too early to think ahead.

I'm not sure we will go the app route but I will pass along these suggestions.

We are planning some exciting things for the new year and will excited to further upgrade our forums.

[MagicTownBaller]

I would love to have an official RealGM app ( It can the forums or not, it doesn't matter), but I don't think I would pay more then $1.99 for it.

[RJM]

If that joke of a news center Bleacher Report can come up with a legitimate-looking app, surely RealGM can come up with something much better, with Trade Checker, various other stats, and even forum posting capabilities available. It would be incredible, and now that I have an iPad, it would be an absolute coup for RealGM to have both an iPhone/iPad-optimized app, as well as an Android and Windows Phone-compatible app.

I would never have to use the Bleacher Report or ESPN apps again.

[RJM]

Now that I think about it, could you imagine how sick it would be if this proposed RGM app had a notifications feature for those trying to keep track of certain conversations taking place within the forums? I would definitely be interested in an app as opposed to simply a mobile site. It would definitely give some real importance and significance to our user control panel.

Man am I glad I came across this thread!

[DEEP3CL]

I would love to have an official RealGM app ( It can the forums or not, it doesn't matter), but I don't think I would pay more then $1.99 for it.

Well to be fair RGM has to make some profit off of it. That'll be a fair price.

[Howard Mass]

Were planning many exciting changes for the forums in 2013.

An App could be a possibility.

[benk04]

I hope that there will be a progress with this realGM Smartphone application..

[dream34]

We are developing a scaled down mobile friendly version of the site on top of the mobile forums solution.

[tsherkin]

I'm excited about a mobile version of the forums

[Howard Mass]

You get excited about everything.