mosca
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04/18/12 01:24 PM (13 years ago)

How to Add A Header Image?

Bearing in mind this is my first App,I thought I'd build one for my Offline/Online marketing biz as a demo to show clients. I am using the latest V2 of BT and have been through all available lessons (not much there at the moment). I want to add my website header banner to the top of the App so it looks just like my mobile website.When I load an image where it says "Load Screen background image" (I used 480px wide) it is too wide and sits behind the menu rows. Am I doing this in the right place? What is the correct width image I need to use and how do I set the position of it? As my intention at this point is to build Apps for my local business clients, eg butcher, cafe etc.for their current customers. There would be no need to go through all the requirements to get it on the AppStore.In that case how can I distribute the Apps to their customers? I was thinking of using a QR Code or providing a link, but is that possible with BT? (I have heard it can be done with some other systems) Thanks in advance for your patience! Lewis
 
DannyH
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04/18/12 01:27 PM (13 years ago)
The apps for ios can be distributed only via the appstore.
 
Fred@mySkylla com
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04/18/12 01:43 PM (13 years ago)
iOS apps must go through the Apple App Store unless the iDevice is jailbroken . Few people in the general community in the US will jailbreak. If your nich market is open to jailbreaking then it's a viable option. Buzztouch apps do not have anything special that prohibits use in jailbreaking. Android app can be intalled freely without any ones approval. Fred
 
Fred@mySkylla com
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04/18/12 01:45 PM (13 years ago)
The background image is not the same as the header image. Fred
 
mosca
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04/18/12 01:59 PM (13 years ago)
OK so, if I build an App for a local client and do it well, (obviously there's limited appeal) would I be able to get it onto the App Store? Where do I add the header image? Thanks guys
 
Fred@mySkylla com
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04/18/12 02:05 PM (13 years ago)
Apple’a App Store is self limiting in that the developer must pay $99 per year. Most app are only downloader by just a few so that's not an issue . For header images of the screen permits go to advance settings. Fred
 
GoNorthWest
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04/18/12 03:30 PM (13 years ago)
Hi @mosca,, Welcome to buzztouch! When I saw this statement - "I want to add my website header banner to the top of the App so it looks just like my mobile website" - I got a bit concerned. Apple is very much against apps that basically look and function like mobile websites, and for good reason I think. If a user can whip up a browser and connect to a mobile website, and get the same content and user experience as in an app, then there is no reason for the app! So, I'm hoping that was not your intention. From what I've seen in these forums, building iOS apps for the types of customers that you indicated is a bit challenging. The main reason for that is because Apple likes apps that utilize the features and functions of the phone and iOS...things like GPS, Game Center (for quizzes), etc. The more of that stuff you can put into an app...things that make a user want to come back and use the app over and over again...the better chance you have of getting the app accepted. Just wanted to bring this up to help save you some potential heartache later. Of course, you could always (and maybe should also go this route) do an Android app, because there's essentially no quality control via a review process, and you can put whatever you want on the market (or even distribute via your own website). However, there are challenges in the Android world as well! Hope this helps a bit, and, again, welcome to buzztouch! Don't hesitate to post any questions you might have! (Did you get the header image thing solved?) Mark
 
mosca
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04/18/12 04:49 PM (13 years ago)
Hi GoNorthWest, I really appreciate your input thank you. All of this is still a mystery to me but I love to learn so I'm enjoying the experience. In relation to the image, I saw a tutorial on Youtube showing an image being set at the top of the screen so I wanted to do that. As I'm experimenting with my first App I thought I'd use the header banner I have (no other reason that that). (And no I haven't worked out how to do it yet, but haven't had much time to look either). However, your comments have made me think about what I'm doing and I must admit I've been looking at the simulator like I'm building a mobile site! And I get what you mean about the limited user experience with an App for a butcher shop or cafe. I must say though that these businesses do ask if they can have an App. I was really thinking of it from a marketing perspective where Push Notifications could be sent to everyone with the App to promote a sale or such. There must be a way to build an App for these businesses, that they can distribute themselves. Is it impossible to load an App to an iPhone if it doesn't come via the App Store? What are your thoughts on an App that people can use to order their takeaway food? I have an Indian Takeaway client who has asked for that. Thanks again Lewis
 
Fred@mySkylla com
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04/18/12 07:22 PM (13 years ago)
A web app can be use without App Store approval. But you should be able to get your apps approved, lots are. Just study the App Store requirementst and buid accordingly. Pay attention to native feature requirements. Fred
 
GoNorthWest
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04/18/12 09:16 PM (13 years ago)
Hi Lewis, Fred makes a great point about web apps. You can easily do one of those, it can mimic your mobile website, and you don't have to submit it to Apple for approval. Something to consider! There is no real, legitimate way to build an iOS app and distribute it yourself. People will argue that jailbreaking is legitimate an such, but let's be honest...would you jailbreak your iDevice? Do you really think you can convince customers of a pizza place to jailbreak their iPhones just to install your app? I don't think so. Plus, legal or not, it certainly is not embraced by Apple, and you really don't want to get on their bad side. Finally, in order to do push notification with Apple, you need to be part of their developer program, so it's pretty much a done deal. My advice is to stay as far away from the jailbreak route as you can. But that's just my two cents. I think an app that people can use to order their takeaway food is an excellent use of the platform, and is likely to be approved (many others like it have been). It would be fairly easy via Javascript and email or PHP and mySQL (which would have to reside on a web server). Lots of options. Keep the questions and thoughts coming! We all learn from them! Mark
 
Squach
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04/20/12 05:50 PM (13 years ago)
Hey Mark and Fred! Can you elaborate a little on "Web Apps"? What exactly does that mean? Squatch
 
Fred@mySkylla com
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04/20/12 08:11 PM (13 years ago)
A web app is basically a mobilized web site. It's running in the browser and is not a Native App. Sometimes there’s not much of a difference . Fred
 
GoNorthWest
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04/20/12 10:27 PM (13 years ago)
Well, it's a bit more than a mobilized web site, but it indeed is hard to tell a difference in many cases. Open up Safari on your iPhone or iPad, and head to glutenfreemenus.mobi, and check out the super simple, very basic web app I did for my wife quite some time ago. Notice that it "resembles" a normal app, but it's running in a browser. There are lots of things you can do to make it look and feel like a "real" app, but have it be running on a web server and in a browser. That's basically a web app...an application that runs over the web. This particular example is iOS specific, but there are methods for Android, etc. Mark
 
mosca
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04/21/12 12:35 AM (13 years ago)
Hey Mark, That site is pretty cool and looks like an App. I'm wondering if you were able to build an icon for the phones so it looks like an App and opens like an App? I've heard it can be done and I'm wondering how. Also, if that's the case how would it be distributed to customers? I was thinking QR Codes to give them the link. BTW are you aware of the typo? "Click the buttom"! Regards Lewis PS I still haven't worked out how to add a header image! ?
 
Susan Metoxen
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06/06/12 06:45 PM (13 years ago)
I am trying to build my first 2.0 app, and I have the same question. Is there a way to add a header image in 2.0 like we can in 1.5? If not, how do I make the menu start lower on the page so I can put an image into the background image.
 
daku7
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06/14/12 11:46 PM (13 years ago)
I Have the same question as @SusanMetoxen Is there a way to add a header image in 2.0 on top of the simple menu plugin?
 
GoNorthWest
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06/14/12 11:50 PM (13 years ago)
No way to add a header image to simple menu list in BT 2. Unless you use buzztouchmods.com plugin, and then you have to be self hosted. Mark
 
daku7
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06/15/12 12:07 AM (13 years ago)
@GoNorthWest, I have self hosted, can you let me know what plugin from buzztouchmods.com? I need this to work for iphone, ipad and Android
 
Fred@mySkylla com
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06/15/12 06:25 AM (13 years ago)
In my guide the Navigation article in the Source Code section has a collection of posts that may help. Go to Buzztouch iOS & Android then Source Code. www.MySkylla.com Fred
 

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