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General discussion

Mobile application for the CNET forums --need your feedback

Oct 12, 2011 5:41AM PDT

Hey folks,

Great news! Our CNET mobile team is starting to look into a mobile application for the CNET forums, so that members like you can easily participate in our forums using your mobile or tablet devices on the go.

Since they are in the early stages of scoping this project out, they have ask me to get your feedback first on what you'd like to see and use on this forum mobile app.

When you're thinking about the mobile app for the forums, tell us what features that you currently use on the desktop version of our forums that you absolutely must have (beside the basics functionalities.) And let us know what you find most useful in the forums that will make your mobile experience sufficient and effective when you using it on the go. This way our mobile team can build out the features that are highly regarded by you and leave out the unnecessary items that may not be so useful when using the app.

For example: Would you like to see read and unread tracking of messages? Do you want to see which forum posts have been voted helpful? And the list goes on....

If any of you are currently already using TapaTalk or any other forum mobile app for other forums, what do you like or dislike about their app? Are there things on those mobile apps that you use, that you'd like to see on our forum mobile app? Please give us some examples-- this way our team can take those into consideration when they are putting together their game plan.

Your participation in this feedback will be very helpful in pre-planning our forum mobile app, so that they can build out what is best for you.

Thanks everyone for your time.
-Lee
CNET Community

Discussion is locked

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The feature I'd want
Oct 14, 2011 9:19AM PDT

is the ability to detect when the app was in the hands of a user who was behind the wheel of a car and would then phone the police with his license number and location. Wink

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Tapatalk and CNET
Oct 14, 2011 11:53PM PDT

I just got an Asus Eee Pad Transformer and installed an App called TapaTalk. Have you guys considered this option?

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You did read the first post?
Oct 16, 2011 12:09AM PDT

it specifically mentions TapaTalk, so I guess CNET has/is considering this option

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thankfull
Oct 16, 2011 1:16PM PDT

nice to hear that words Cool

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My wishlist for the iOS version...
Oct 20, 2011 10:37AM PDT

Make the app an universal app, no ads, but keep the current features of the forum.
Also, just curious, when is CNET going to make their Reviews, News, and TV iOS apps universal?

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My two cents . . .
Oct 20, 2011 10:45PM PDT

I've been here longer than most, since at least 1998. I've seen many changes. But during the day or when I'm away from my PC, I do not long for the forums. I can live without them. I do not need to check them from my phone (iPhone). I do not want updates sent to me. I can access the site and the forums from my iPhone browser and have done it a couple of times. But I do not live and breathe "The Forums".

Oh! AH! Now I know! The developers have nothing to do.

Wink

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On the go.
Oct 20, 2011 10:55PM PDT

It's for those who are 'on the go' all the time and need to check the forums.

Me? I'm stationary and I don't own a smart phone anyway!

Mark

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OK but . . .
Oct 21, 2011 2:23AM PDT

If a person feels they have to check the forums while they are on the go, the have other problems. Just say'n.

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Why, oh why, must it be an app?
Oct 23, 2011 10:36PM PDT

Largely personal preference, but I find apps designed to replace a mobile website to be limited and problematic. In short:
1.) It restricts access to users of specific mobile platforms.
2.) It requires another download/installation, and switching between apps.
3.) It requires the user know about and search for the app; it's not automatic.
4.) It increases maintenance requirements to continue long-term support.
5.) It requires users upgrade the app every time new features are released.

Instead, I would greatly prefer a mobile version of the forums website. It would greatly increase usage because it would be available to everyone (not just Android/iPhone users) and visitors would be taken there automatically based on OS/display detection. And it wouldn't matter if Apple upgrades to iOS 5 or Android goes to v4 - it would be an OS-independent website. Sorta like CNET. Wink

Native apps are essential, and I believe there's currently an over-emphasis on moving traditionally native apps to the cloud despite a loss of functionality, performance, reliability, and security. However, in this case, I don't see benefits to a native forums app that outweigh the overhead and entry barriers involved.

Of course, I love that the forums are getting the attention from TPTB. But perhaps a mobile website could be considered in this "pre-planning" phase?

John

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I agree
Dec 29, 2011 7:27AM PST

with the mobile site vs app thing. I prefer mobile sites over apps as well. The list he mentioned are basically the reasons why I dislike apps over mobile sites. Then again I don't really have an urge to use sites/forums/etc when mobile anyways, but when I do I prefer mobile sites. They're easier as well (to use). I have several apps I've not updated just because it's an annoyance when there is some tiny update they do every other week

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CNET
Nov 23, 2011 9:00PM PST

I have a problem with this agency. I currently have free Advanced System Care 4.2 and wanted the 5.o..but there is a riff here and trying to switch and bait me to a professional one at reduced rate. whew. I tried to download it and it would not work. a scam in the making.The village idiots that run things only have IE and other other types. What about Google Chrome and it is far superior to IE and the others on the market. I may wait to the legitimate ones come up with this as a possible upgrading. Thanks for the dishonest and under the take political corruption that exists in the corporate world. xminus 1/ Harold

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Not sure I understand
Nov 23, 2011 9:14PM PST

The discussion is about Mobile Apps for a smartphone, tablet, or so on, to allow members log in to and participate in these forums.

What does that have to do with Advanced System Care?

Mark

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In addition to what Mark said...
Nov 27, 2011 9:39PM PST

CNET offers free downloads of third-party software. Whether you wish to upgrade to a new version, pay for a professional edition, etc is up to you, and the purchase of such is between you and the third-party. It has nothing to do with browser preferences or perceived 'political corruption in the corporate world.' If you have an issue with download.com or the download, you can start a new thread in the Download.com forum, but this is not the place for that or the unrelated commentary.

John

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Still evaluating a mobile application for CNET forums?
Mar 27, 2012 1:28AM PDT

If I've missed this elsewhere, please forgive me.

I would love to have an app to read CNET forums. I am currently using TapaTalk and think it's a great app for forums. There are a few limitations (polls, for example) but overall it is a great forum app and sure beats reading forums with a browser.

I hope you are still planning this. I am not a huge forum follower but there are a few select forums--like CNET--that I would like to be able to follow. TapaTalk access would be great. Thanks.

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This got pushed back down the line, but we are still gearing
Mar 27, 2012 9:21AM PDT

up to implement this. It most likely will not be an app rather a mobile base platform/site for the forums.

It maybe a while, but we'll get there.

Thanks for your patience.

-Lee

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mobile access update--thanks
Mar 30, 2012 2:30AM PDT

Thanks for the update. Very much looking forward to having some sort of mobile access. Disappointed you are not considering a TapaTalk plug-in though.

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I believe this will be good
May 8, 2012 12:27PM PDT

This principle will be good for all of us! Thank u!
Brautkleid

Note: This post was edited by its original author to edit out signature link on 05/08/2012 at 9:25 PM PT

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It's good and i am on the way......
Aug 16, 2012 10:38PM PDT

I am a huge forum follower and love to have mobile related forums and have gone through this post that I would like to follow. TapaTalk access is great and it works fine for me. Thanks for a good application.


Note: This post was edited by its original author to remove signature link on 08/17/2012 at 7:03 AM PT