Hi all, I am so happy I found this forum and I am excited to learn and share once I get to that point. I found an app that I really like and my question is, going through the BTU, will I eventually be able to do this? Here's the URL; mytemecula.info What I would like to develop app's like this or similar for different locations. Basically an app "directory" of local retail, restaurants, attractions etc. with full menues for restaurants for example. I realize this, if possible, will prob have a serious learning curve. I plan on self-hosting if so. Making the app working for both android and iphone is also vital. To sum it up, from what I understand so far, it would have to be web based. I am not planning to sell the app itself, just the ads on it. I've read here on having to have the app "approved" but this is for local only so do not really need it to be placed on istore or similar for android. Plan on promoting it with QR codes. Got a bit long-winded but figure I better get it all in one place. Again, glad to be here, looking forward to your responses, Eva

Hi Eva, Welcome to buzztouch! The short answer to your question is, YES, it's all possible with buzztouch. I checked out the link, and it's basically already a web app. All that stuff can be done with buzztouch..and in some cases, better. If you want to publish the app for iOS, it will have to go through iTunes. That's just the rule. Unless you want to have your users jailbreak their phones, but I doubt they'd do that just for one app. So, you will be shackled to Apple like the rest of us if you want to publish on iOS. In addition...for Apple...if you just want to take your current content at that link (or content very similar, for another location), and put it in an app...it's likely to be rejected unless it takes advantage of native iOS features like mapping, driving directions, game center, etc. Simply aggregating web content isn't something that Apple likes...they'll just tell you to make a web app! For Android...you can do whatever you want. They seem to be ultra loose on content. And, for Android, you are not required to publish on Google Play...you can just make the app available. So, there you sorta have it. A directory of local stuff is very doable on buzztouch, and can be done extremely well and creatively! Mark

GoNorthWest said: In addition...for Apple...if you just want to take your current content at that link (or content very similar, for another location), and put it in an app...it's likely to be rejected unless it takes advantage of native iOS features like mapping, driving directions, game center, etc. Simply aggregating web content isn't something that Apple likes...they'll just tell you to make a web app! [end quote] Not sure if I understand. All I want is an app to do what that link showed and for people to be able to get it by a QR code. The whole jail-braking thing is totally un-familiar to me. If Apple says "Make a web app", that's what I want, not registering it anywhere. Is there something wrong with that? Happy to hear though that this is something doable, now all I need to figure out is where to start, Eva

Hi Eva, Basically, the link you provided appears to be a web app. That means a person can pull it up on a mobile browser, and it will look and feel (to a point) like a native app, but it'll actually be running in a browser. You don't need Apple for that, and you don't need buzztouch either. You just need to understand how Web apps work: http://www.apple.com/webapps/whatarewebapps.html There is absolutely nothing wrong with the web app approach at all, as you can see from the link above. But, you don't need buzztouch for it. And, a web app should be equally available to Android and iOS users. So, to start, I would follow the link above, and then do some research at Apple. That will get you going in the right direction. Mark

GoNorthWest said: In addition...for Apple...if you just want to take your current content at that link (or content very similar, for another location), and put it in an app...it's likely to be rejected unless it takes advantage of native iOS features like mapping, driving directions, game center, etc. Simply aggregating web content isn't something that Apple likes...they'll just tell you to make a web app! [end quote] Not sure if I understand. All I want is an app to do what that link showed and for people to be able to get it by a QR code. The whole jail-braking thing is totally un-familiar to me. If Apple says "Make a web app", that's what I want, not registering it anywhere. Is there something wrong with that? Happy to hear though that this is something doable, now all I need to figure out is where to start, Eva

GoNorthWest said: In addition...for Apple...if you just want to take your current content at that link (or content very similar, for another location), and put it in an app...it's likely to be rejected unless it takes advantage of native iOS features like mapping, driving directions, game center, etc. Simply aggregating web content isn't something that Apple likes...they'll just tell you to make a web app! [end quote] Not sure if I understand. All I want is an app to do what that link showed and for people to be able to get it by a QR code. The whole jail-braking thing is totally un-familiar to me. If Apple says "Make a web app", that's what I want, not registering it anywhere. Is there something wrong with that? Happy to hear though that this is something doable, now all I need to figure out is where to start, Eva

Sorry for double posting, just got back and hit refresh, obviously not the right way to do it in this forum. Yes, I will check out that link, thank you again, Eva

Hi Eva. Did you pick that web app because you live near Temecula? I am pretty close and actually building a Wine Country app now.

@Eva, if you ever decide to go towards the self hosted path, check out: https://buzztouchmods.com/forum/viewthread.php?forum_id=5&thread_id=8 In my experience, web apps are great, but native apps are better (It's easy to say, search my app in the app store, rather then, please type this URL in your browser). The app market is also free advertising, wherein a web app, you would need to advertise the link yourself. Do what @GoNorthWest has sent you on, and see if that's the solution your looking for - it's a good one. Keep us updated on your path - we'll all be here to help out! Cheers, David. buzztouchmods.com

@Red Dog: No, I just happened to find it on the Internet. Will you let us see your app once you are done? @MrDavid: Thank You, will follow that link. Here is a complete explanation on why I am here: Somebody has sales reps selling ads on local apps to retail, restaurants, attractions etc. Apps are promoted by a QR code on a flyer taped up in biz windows and nowhere else. It is my understanding that these apps are web based because otherwise I could not find them on the web. These apps are kind of simple and I am doubting the ROI (return on investment) for the businesses. Yes, ROI could be ok, if the app is promoted enough and actually used. If not, they are wasting their money. Ads are $99 for a business card type of ad and it is for one year. For each ad sold, I would get a commission. Sure, I would like to make money but I am more concerned about the ROI for the business. After all, it is my reputation on the line. So I figured, why not build my own. That way, I myself can make the app more attractive and do all kinds of "stuff" to promote it, even list a whole bunch for free to build it up. Selling for someone else limits what I can do. So, there you have it. Been researching for the last couple of days and am currently in a state of total confusion. Building an app is so much more complicated than just building a mobile website, not sure if an app is the right way to go? Thanks again for your help, Eva