FOG needs to create an app!!!

[sessler2013]

I think it's time someone brings this topic up. I'm always on my contractor talk app and would certainly like to have a FOG app next to it on my iPhone  [big grin]

 

[Wooden Skye]

I agree that a dedicated app would be great. 

 

[peter halle]

What would a dedicated app do differently?  I was an early adaptor to iphones and the ipad but after a flurry of app buying stopped.  I guess I am ignorant to advances in apps.

Peter

 

[Kev]

OK - a list of detailed use cases please ladies and gentlemen ... then we could decide, but till then it is a forum and I don't see the need myself !  [smile]

 

[builderbob]

What would a dedicated app do differently?  I was an early adaptor to iphones and the ipad but after a flurry of app buying stopped.  I guess I am ignorant to advances in apps.

Peter

I'm an app guy!  To me, apps are directed at specific tasks. By opening a FOG app, theoretically, brings me directly to an experience that is suited for a smaller mobile device.  Usually, the scripting is default set to properly fill the screen without pinching and zooming, etc. I do use tapatalk to get onto FOG...it's fairly generic since its designed as a template and you can access many forums through the one app.  When I enter tapatalk, I don't get the true full browser experience, but that's not what I'm trying to achieve. I'm looking for access on the fly that I don't have to strain my eyes for.

When I run into websites that don't have an app or mobile version, I'm less inclined to visit those sites on the fly...for example, JLC...I can't stand going on through my mobile browser. 

Just my .02

Bob

 

[sessler2013]

I agree 100% with what Bob said, It would really make things Faster and Easier since I spend 90% of my internet time on my iPhone. Also it would certainly open the FOG site up to a whole new genera of users (young guys like me). As fast as Festool popularity continues to grow I really am surprised there isn't a dedicated app yet

Lets pretend there is a Festool app with the Festool logo now being advertised right on the screen of every FOGGERS iPhone screen (Android or whatever) for what would really be a small cost for such an enormous form of advertisement. Now lets say you set your phone down and someone glances at your screen asking what the cool looking Dark Blue and Green logo is all about, you tell them about the FOG site they get hooked and are now a Festool user and FOGGER for life!!!   [cool]

 

[sessler2013]

Take a look at Dewalt's app its really cool and I know Festool could easily surpass it!!!

http://dewalt.cengage.com/mobilepro/ 

 

[RC]

Uhm, no offence meant, but the DeWalt app is just a contractors calculator with DeWalt ads built in and most of the functionality is an expensive in-app purchase anyway. How does an app like that have anything to do with FOG?

One feature I could think of for a FOG-app would be to have part number auto-linking in posts to the relevant product information both on the site as well as in apps and if there were a mobile app the link click behaviours should be a mobile screen formatted in-app pop-up instead of navigating away from the app to a web browser (sort of defeats the point of making an app). i.e. 496939 in a message would automatically be linked to 496939. Maybe require an @-reference to help auto-linking like @496939 if the author means a product number instead of a phone number. Dunno how hard something like that would be?

Another FOG-spin-off feature that would be cool would be a FOG-Wiki since many subjects have been discussed to death over the year (think 'which sander should I choose for use X') that would be well put in a Wiki instead of stickies or collection threads in FOG. Going back through 10 pages of comments in an old thread just to figure out if there are any good answers to you question is a bit tedious at times even with the help of google. In an app it would be cool to have the possibility to have an off-line copy of this wiki with you when on air planes or areas without internet connectivity.  

 

[Kev]

I think we're a little lost between the need for a Festool app and a FOG app.

Now a Festool app ... take a picture of a surface (magical image texture surface and material analysis happens - robotic vision apps are in this realm) then pick sand, flatten, cut, route or other - then it goes and gives you "stuff" based on what Festool technolgy is available to you in your geographic area or in your list of registered tools. Maybe further questions are prompted ... Cut - goes to cut how? Etc.

Online manuals, tool specific help videos - transcoded to your language.

Photo serial number recognition and automated service return processing in you geographic area.

... Lets not just dream of a better forum browser on a phone, lets get creative.

 

[Kev]

Uhm, no offence meant, but the DeWalt app is just a contractors calculator with DeWalt adds built in and most of the functionality is an expensive in-app purchase anyway. How does an app like that have anything to do with FOG?

One feature I could think of for a FOG-app would be to have part number auto-linking in posts to the relevant product information both on the site as well as in apps and if there were a mobile app the link click behaviours should be a mobile screen formatted in-app pop-up instead of navigating away from the app to a web browser (sort of defeats the point of making an app). i.e. 496939 in a message would automatically be linked to 496939. Maybe require an @-reference to help auto-linking like @496939 if the author means a product number instead of a phone number. Dunno how hard something like that would be?

Another FOG-spin-off feature that would be cool would be a FOG-Wiki since many subjects have been discussed to death over the year (think 'which sander should I choose for use X') that would be well put in a Wiki instead of stickies or collection threads in FOG. Going back through 10 pages of comments in an old thread just to figure out if there are any good answers to you question is a bit tedious at times even with the help of google. In an app it would be cool to have the possibility to have an off-line copy of this wiki with you when on air planes or areas without internet connectivity. 

Yes - exactly !

 

[Alan m]

iv no experience with any of these apps. but i used my previous 'smart' phone to check the fog  and also palyed with the i pad mini in the shop trying it out.
in both cases it was a nightmare to use the fog. the screen was way too small to read any of what was posted.
i wouldnt bother with an fog app unless this problem was sorted.,
an app that helped us use our festools maybe

 

[builderbob]

Also, an issue that I forgot to mention is that you cannot post photos on a smartphone or tablet via the browser. You need to use an app like Tapatalk. That to me is pretty important to be able to utilize the forum in its full capacity!

Bob

 

[Alan m]

could someone take a pic of their phone or ipad etc with the app running so that us non app users could see what you see

thanks alan

 

[builderbob]

Here's a screenshot of Tapatalk 2 for iOS.

 

[sessler2013]

Uhm, no offence meant, but the DeWalt app is just a contractors calculator with DeWalt ads built in and most of the functionality is an expensive in-app purchase anyway. How does an app like that have anything to do with FOG?

Im not saying Festool needs to make a contractors app but if they're going to go through the trouble of making an app, why not throw in a material estimator and some other doohickies??

Here are some feature I would like to see:

-Easy to read
-Easy to upload photos too
-A way to IM other FOGGERS
-Notices on your screen whenever your post get replies or you receive messages
-Direct links to Festool customer service

 

[epicxt]

Here's a screenshot with the non-premium version of Tapatalk. I've used Tapatalk on both the Android and iOS platforms with equally pleasant results.

 

[jonathan-m]

I only have 1 comment, if an app comes, it needs to be for all the major platforms. IOS, Android & WP!

 

[Saskataper]

I'm on a forum called drywalltalk.com and it has a great app that has all those features. I do find it odd that FOG doesn't have one as well. I rarely use the computer anymore it's all ipad and iPhone for me.

 

[RC]

Oh, and if an app would be developed it should be published to all regions (for example the DeWalt app is NA only)

 

[Alan m]

thanks guys , that looks good. i was afraid that the writing would be reall small and reall long so you would have to move over and back