GT5 App for iPhone - by GTPlanet?

  • Thread starter Thread starter danthespaceman
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danthespaceman

danthespaceman

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Just wondering if there's any interest in the GTPlanet community for creating the ultimate GT5 app for iPhone. I'm not a programmer myself, but I've got some ideas for content and I'm sure we could all collectively create something much better than any single developer could. And given the nature of this forum, the app would only get better has time goes by as we all contribute ideas and tips for improvement.

I envision an app that would be more than just a game guide or ranking monitor Here are some things I'd find useful:
  • A complete car database guide, with specs and pictures. Database can be filtered by HP, Drivetrain, Body style etc...
  • A track guide with maps and detailed information
  • An event database with lists of AI lineups
  • Some kind of way to be search GTPlanet online race events, possibly with push notifications of when events are about to take place?
  • Push notifications for GTPlanet news items? (Although, how much news could there be after GT5 is released? :sly:)

Surely some of you have some killer ideas too. Any iPhone developers out there?
 
Oh trust me you're not alone, ever since I saw that GT5 app from one of the members here I've been in a mobile craze. I've actually started a few design concepts for something GTP/GT5 related.
 
I think you may be better off doing it web-based rather than specific to just a mobile. A wiki style system would be better, as then you could get anyone to add bits in. People could still access all the information on their phones, you could do a separate web interface for iPhone\android users.
 
That'd the best idea yes. A mobile obile web application that'd work across most phones with web capabilities :P
 
Good luck to the programmer with a couple of thousand project-manager wannabes (all gtplanet-members) breathing down his neck...!!

It's bad enough for PD with all the feature-wishlists for something like GT5. :sly:
 
I'd be interested to get involved in such a project. Depends who's in and how it's run. Could be an excellent project for just a few of us dedicated individuals.

I already started on such a tunes web application a while back but decided to hang fire until we know what PD do for GT5. I've been a junior web applications developer for the past year so I think I could make major improvements to what I have got already.

I'd be interested to hear from Jordan regarding this idea. It may be that he has plans of his own...
 
joovut
I think you may be better off doing it web-based rather than specific to just a mobile. A wiki style system would be better, as then you could get anyone to add bits in. People could still access all the information on their phones, you could do a separate web interface for iPhone\android users.
Click to expand...

This is probably the most realistic approach, even though the speed and functionality of a dedicated app is highly appealing.

I do see a lot of value in a mobile format though as opposed to just a regular website. GTPlanet already has a wiki with a lot of the features I mentioned, but it's navigation is a little cumbersome. Maybe I'm being a little picky, but if you've used an iPhone and some quality apps, you'll know just how far a simple, intuitive user interface goes. (Can't speak for Android cause I haven't use it, but I'm sure it's a similar story). Holding all that information in the palm of your hand suddenly makes it more usable.
 
A database backend could be created; say for example using MySQL. You could make the database open so people can update the cars, tracks etc...then release an API that allows people to use the data as they wish, whether it just be on a PHP website or as part of a GT5 iPhone app.
 
Obli
I'd be interested to hear from Jordan regarding this idea. It may be that he has plans of his own...
Click to expand...
Indeed, I do have big post-GT5 plans for the site. I'm not sure if an iPhone application would be the best way to interact with the site, but it's always interesting to read everyone's thoughts and ideas so please keep them coming.
 
I'm not too crazy about iPhone apps myself to access web content. Usually it's because the stylesheet thingys don't work too well with the mobile Safari, so they design an App to get rid of all the clutter.

To my knowledge that should be possible by using dedicated layout if the site gets accessed via an iPhone. The BBC had a rather nice thing going for their podcasts, I believe they took it down in the meantime.

So it's maybe cheaper and more convenient to simply provide a layout the has the iPhone look&feel rather than creating a new dedicated App. Apps are cool, but more often than not they just try and cure design issues with the website. GTP does a rather decent job already if I might say so.
 
im Interested in a iphone app, regardless of what it is something to interlink with the site and even GT5 would be crazy.
 
Me too.

But i would be nice if the GTP Forum is implemented in the App and designed for smartphones like the Iphone 4 for example.

Don´t really know how to express what i mean but maybe someone can help me out or understand what i mean.
 
ItsHim
I'm not too crazy about iPhone apps myself to access web content. Usually it's because the stylesheet thingys don't work too well with the mobile Safari, so they design an App to get rid of all the clutter.

To my knowledge that should be possible by using dedicated layout if the site gets accessed via an iPhone. The BBC had a rather nice thing going for their podcasts, I believe they took it down in the meantime.

So it's maybe cheaper and more convenient to simply provide a layout the has the iPhone look&feel rather than creating a new dedicated App. Apps are cool, but more often than not they just try and cure design issues with the website. GTP does a rather decent job already if I might say so.
Click to expand...

Don't forget that iOS devices now come in several flavors, so you may want to customize for each of them which may be easier to do programatically. For Android there are now dozens of configurations. Especially the ones with the small screens require special attention.

Having said that, an app requires development on two sides simultaneously which does cost more effort. If an app is required, please make sure the website can be accessed via an API so that the app does not require an update each time when the site layout changes.
 
+1 for the web based stuff

The GTP mobile site is great and I would be happy to use the GT5 game guide for car and track info on the go.

Push notifications for GTP news are already possible if you subscribe to the twitter feed or the facebook page.

I would like a GTP specific race event and time trial app. One that I could set to alert me after a race with the results and when a new event has been scheduled. For time trials, alerts when new top times are posted, when my time is beaten by someone, or only when a certain member posts a new time would be cool.
 
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Web-based would be the way to go. Less to go wrong, and easier to maintain. I have an iPhone, and would love to have an app for GTP/GT5, but I think it'd be easier on the developer to make it web-based. Easier on the developer = easier on us.

Plus, there are other phones out there. Web-based is pretty universal.
 
I would definately pay for an application like this, sure im not the only person who would to be honest. hope this happens.

Maybe talk to the guy who made the time trial app??
 
I'd buy this if the price it right. some entrepreneurial spirit could really rake in a load of cash. I know a few iphone programmers who might be interested
 
Loads of cash? I wish. The yearly administration cost could be covered, though


Some GT5 stuff mentioned here are useful for my own app. A method is needed to filter through 1000 cars is necessary so a car and track database would certainly fit in.

We're still stuck with GTP now so I'm waiting for what possibilities PD might offer regarding events, settings, community stuff an so on.
 

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