I recently discovered Socialize www.getsocialize.com by browsing the BT forums. I'm interested in knowing if any here on Buzztouch is using this FREE service and what they think about it? Seems to offer a lot and maybe to much. Although it appears that it is extremely customizable. Can anyone share a link to download a live Buzztouch iOS app that uses Socialize. Also, any information on how to integrate with a BT app would also be helpful. Thanks!

Just started using it. Have one app approved and another in process. We'll see if users actually use the features (like sharing news items, photos, etc).

How difficult was it to integrate with your BT app? Would you mind sharing a link to the app that has socialize integrated? Does Socialize have the ability for users to check in via Facebook without leaving the app? I built the app in the link below for a local restaurant and used the Launch Native App action to open Facebook to check in. However, I don't like that the users leave the app and because the Facebook iOS app is so "awesome" it sometimes crashes. http://www.itouchandlearn.com/beef-o-brady-s-apopka.html

It wasn't too difficult to implement. I've been meaning to do a tutorial, just been swamped with other projects. The facebook authentication does take you out of the app momentarily, but brings you right back once authorization is complete. You can grab a code here and download the app: http://www.appcod.es/michigan-football-trivia-and-more Click on one of the news stories, and you'll see the socialize tab bar. Try sharing a story and you can see how it works.

MGoBlue - Thanks for the information. Socialize seems to have a lot of good features. I'm going to read through their documentation and work on integrating it into my app. On a side note the Michigan Football Trivia app is very well done. I love how you put the logo on the status bar and made the middle tab button bigger then the others. How did you accomplish these two tasks? Did you have to modify the code in Xcode or is this a BT version 2.0 feature? I have only built BT v1.5 apps.

Unfortunately I got slapped down by the NCAA since it looks too much like an "official" app, and I haven't licensed use of their trademarks. So, I'm quickly rebuilding a more generic look. Will still have the cool nav bar at the top, it just won't look so Michigan-specific. Plus it will work for my other college apps I had to temporarily pull from the app store. As for the nav bar and the bottom center button, they're both very simple programming changes in xCode. Here's my tutorial for the bottom tab bar: http://jc-evans.com/blog/2012/08/03/tab-bar-with-custom-center-tab-in-a-bt-app/

Sorry to hear the NCAA is making you change your app. However, as you mentioned the fact that they noticed the app and recognized the quality of it is definitely a complement to your work. Also, EVERY NICE tutorial on the custom tab bar button. Easy to follow and explains each step in great detail. Thanks for all you do and have done for me and the Buzztouch community!

heh awesome stuff! I'm trying to-do the custom nav header that you did @MGoBlue, a lot of people are requesting it, and I think Trace was able to pull it off with the animated header mod... I'll get back to you with the code when I finish it and see if its easier or more complicated then what you did, so I don't release something that is harder then yours so keep it to myself. I'll PM you if I manage to get it working. p.s. @Moto Socialize is a amazing tool that adds a bunch of native features to your app - you want as much native programming as possible for apple - they love it. Cheers, David. buzztouchmods.com

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MrDavid - I posted a tutorial on the nav bar today. edit 08/04/12 05:19 PM (2 hours ago) New iOS Tutorial Posted: Add Custom Image Nav Bars Just posted a new tutorial to demonstrate how to add a custom image to your nav bar like I did in my Michigan Football app. You can view it here: http://bit.ly/OBBrVr