There were 2 options as to how I made the app available. Free with advertising or free of advertising and chargeable. Because ‘KopTalk is for grown ups’, I opted for the no ads option with a small annual subscription of £2.99 to cover the loss of advertising revenue, the hosting of the project (we’ll be launching a new site for it) and the ongoing development costs as I hope to add more features such as a chat room.

Once launched we will be working on a version for the Android, then the iPad. We will then review other platforms such as Blackberry.

The app is not on auto-pilot. Every item is added manually, every article and video hand-picked. Those in the industry thought I was nuts because it could run automatically but I prefer the personal touch and believe that people deserve better.

Both non-members and members can use the app. It does not give access to any exclusive content from the members website and you can not access our member forums or free forums via the app.

I will keep you updated as to whether the app is approved or rejected. Some times Apple ask for minor changes.

A version for the Android will follow in due course. We will consider Blackberry and others once the iPhone/iPod and Android versions are out.

The app will be available for a small fee as we are offering it free of annoying advertising.

Today we received the latest build of the KopTalk Liverpool FC iPhone application. In this video I will show you how it’s coming along. Hopefully the next video will be the completed app. We’re certainly closer than we ever have been.

To help with the app and to be included in the ‘Hall of Fame’ which will be seen by everyone who downloads the app worldwide, please follow this link.

Some of our fans and members have contributed to the development costs and thanks to them we reached our initial target. However, since then we have had to go back to the drawing board several times which means more costs. We only asked for help after it was suggested by those who wanted to help. We put pride to one side and admitted that we had to accept their offers to get the app out quicker.

In return for making a contribution, we are creating a ‘Hall of Fame’ within the app on the ‘INFO’ page. This basically means that anyone who helps will be listed in that ‘Hall of Fame’ in every app that is downloaded around the world. If for example you make a donation, you could have any of the following included: your real name, your forum username, your member name, a partner’s name, your children’s name(s), another alias or even a business name.

If you would like to help support us, please use the link below. Charlie – one of my assistants – will then contact you to see what name you would like listing in the app’s ‘Hall Of Fame’. She will ensure you are looked after.

During the last couple of years, many of our members have fallen on hard times. Those who have can verify that we have helped them through a rough time until they get back on their feet again. Sadly our suppliers don’t think the same way towards us and as a one-man band, I’m not ashamed to admit that I also need help from time to time with the site. But when people do help, I never forget and I certainly always ensure that they get something back so rather than just taking support from people who stepped forward to help without having been asked, I opted to create the ‘Hall Of Fame as my way of saying thanks and when the app is launched, I expect I will find other ways to show my appreciation.

Do not feel obliged to help. If you’re a member or supporter of KopTalk, that in itself, gives me the strength and motivation to succeed.

Earlier today I was provided with the latest build of the app. Take a look at it here.

In the image below, you will see what the video section looks like. The data within it is from a previous version so it’s obviously old, but it gives you an idea of the layout. You can also see the options across the top and bottom of the app. Although KopTalk opinion videos will be added to this video section, once it goes live, it will actually be packed with footage of the Reds in action. Any goals, interviews and the like will be added here during the day, every day of the year, so you will be pleased to know that you won’t see much of my mug.

The ‘Posted on’ text is to be removed. The date will remain.

I am currently editing a video to show you the current status of the app. I will post it here later today.

UPDATED: See the video here.

Our Liverpool FC iPhone App will be available for a small annual cost. All of the revenue from app sales will be used to maintain the app and build future versions of it.

The Liverpool FC iPhone App will have no annoying advertising and will be updated manually by my team and myself. It will not automatically pull in any updates from RSS feeds. Ever article added to the app will be selected by myself to ensure you get Liverpool FC news that you need to know.

The app will also have a media section that will link you to essential articles from the mainstream media. These articles will open in the browser so that the media source’s advertising remains displayed i.e. you would be on the 3rd party’s website. Once finished browsing any sites that you open, you can then easily return to the app.

FEATURES INCLUDE:

* All KopTalk News articles from our members website (exc. exclusive members only content) – updated 24/7

* Media News section – updated 24/7

* Opinion section – editorials, fan opinion etc from the main KopTalk website

* Liverpool FC diary – updated as and when needed

* Liverpool FC videos section – updated daily subject to content

* Push alerts – for example, the confirmed team on match-days will pop-up on your device

* Pull down to refresh with your finger

PLANNED FEATURES FOR NEXT VERSION:

* Live chat room exclusively for the app

* Liverpool FC forum exclusively for the app

* Distance to Anfield from your current location using GPS

Some of you made donations to the developments costs and for that I would like to say a very big thank you. Those who donated will have their chosen name listed in a Hall Of Fame within the app.

You can still be included if you wish to by using the donate button below. Your donation will help towards the next version and an app that we will be launching for Android users. If you do want to support us and you do make a donation, we will contact you to discuss what name you wish to be displayed within the app.

Every Red around the world that downloads the app will see our Hall Of Fame and if you use the app, you’ll will be able to see your name proudly displayed!

I hope to be able to bring you more news tomorrow.

The app is for members and non-members. It will provide you with unlimited access to KopTalk News. It will not provide you with access to our members website although a members app will follow, hopefully later in the year or in 2012. It will run on the iPod, iPhone and iPad (magnified) but a dedicated, full size app for the iPad, will be launched as soon as possible.

It was recently suggested to us by some of our members that we allow people to make a donation to the kitty to get the app out. We held back but eventually accepted the offer of help to get it out quicker. I was absolutely stunned when one member made a £1500 donation!

He told me: “I’m a big fan of koptalk, and have used it since 1999. You have done a great job, and where there have been issues (servers going down on deadline day) you have addressed them professionally and appropriately. Without sounding patronising, you should be very proud of yourself. You’ve created something truly special, and I for one admire you for that.”

Others donated £50 here and there, some threw in a couple of pounds, it all helped. And not everyone who contributed is a member. In return they will all be listed in our ‘Hall of Fame’ within the app. You can still be listed in the ‘Hall of Fame’ by making a donation but this is your last chance. Anything left over will go towards our other apps i.e. iPad, Android and possibly the Blackberry.

Sometimes I have questioned if our fans are the best. My family, children, friends and myself have for several years received a torrent of abuse and hatred from some fans – those associated to other Liverpool FC websites who are envious of KopTalk and what we have achieved over the last 13 years while they were going through school – and at times you’re left thinking how can people be so evil. You only have to look at the recent vile attacks on Guillem Balague by many Liverpool ‘fans’ when he rightly claimed that Fernando Torres wanted to discuss a move with Chelsea, to see how nasty some of them can be. So I’m not alone but some of these numpties are obsessed with me. Thankfully I can handle it, it just drives me on and makes me stronger. When they stop I guess I’m no longer of interest which will mean KopTalk is failing so for now, I see it as a compliment.

Despite the shameful element, which I am sure all clubs have, there are many times when I realise that the hate comes from a minority. I receive much more positive feedback and warm messages every day and the fact that people dug deep to help with the app makes me very proud. Some of the donators spoke of how important KopTalk is to them and how they feel a part of the KopTalk family and that is something I have always tried to create. I don’t suffer fools, but good people, well, I always try to look after them and make them happy. Those who hate KopTalk are not important, those that love KopTalk are the ones we care for.

So, hopefully today I can approve the app and get things moving. We can then wire the money to our designers and sit back and wait for it to appear on iTunes. Once approved we will of course let you know.

It wouldn’t have been possible had it not been for you guys. You really are the best.

If you don’t have an iPod/iPhone etc, don’t worry. This morning I started requesting quotes for the app to be made available to Android users and possibly Blackberry users. Android is next, once we get the Apple products out of the way.

Duncan Oldham
KOPTALK EDITOR

@DuncanOldham @KopTalk

An Older/Previous Image Of Our Liverpool FC iPhone App

Some of our members and non-members have offered to contribute to these costs and we’re going to take them up on their offers for the simple reason that we will be able to get it out faster.

What we have decided to do is accept donations of any amount and in return we will list each donator’s name, username (if applicable) or any other name they request on the application itself in a thankyou section of the app. This means that for every download made around the world, their names will be visible and proudly displayed in our special hall of fame e.g. This app wouldn’t have been possible without the help of….

As soon as we get the app launched we are going to start work on an Android version and look at other devices.

We tested the latest version of the app on an iPhone 4 over the weekend and it’s close to launch now. For the first time we were able to add our own content. There are still some teething problems but with your help we will be able to fix them.

If you make a donation, the KopTalk editor will contact you by email to thankyou and ask what name you would like including within the app.

The app will be available from the iTunes store as soon as we submit it and they approve it for download. It will then be available for a small fee so that we can keep it advertising free.

Our app has the following sections:

* KOPTALK NEWS – every KopTalk news item
* MEDIA NEWS – articles from the mainstream media
* OPINION – editorial and fan opinion
* DIARY – forthcoming dates of importance e.g. fixtures, TV coverage
* LATEST VIDEOS – latest KopTalk video content plus the best LFC videos that we can source for you from YouTube

Features include:

* Pull down to refresh
* Push notifications – enable or disable
* No advertising

Future features include:

* Distance from Anfield using GPS
* Private forum/chat facility

Hopefully you can help contribute to our efforts. If you can’t don’t worry, the app will still come. We’re only running this because of the kind support that has been pledged.

]]> http://www.koptalkblog.com/2011/01/help-get-liverpool-fc-news-app-out/feed/ 0 http://www.koptalkblog.com/2010/10/latest-screen-shot-of-liverpool-fc-app-for-iphone-ipod/ http://www.koptalkblog.com/2010/10/latest-screen-shot-of-liverpool-fc-app-for-iphone-ipod/#comments Thu, 28 Oct 2010 13:31:38 +0000 Duncan Oldham http://www.koptalkblog.com/?p=170 KopTalk’s Liverpool FC news app for iPhone / iPod is not far away now. Today we received the latest update to test on our devices following some changes requested by the KopTalk editor Duncan Oldham.

We planned to ditch the diary feature for a media section instead but some of you asked us to try and offer both. Naturally we took your comments on board and instructed the developers to re-add the diary feature. Yes it will cost a little bit more having to change the app at this stage of the development but we really want to try and make you guys happy.

Included is a screen shot of our Liverpool FC news app. We only installed this latest version a few moments ago.

Please note that the KopTalk logos will all be replaced with an image appropriate to each news article that we add, they are there just now to fill space.

The app – which will be free of annoying advertisements – will be available to purchase from the iTunes store soon for a small fee to try and cover the development costs.

We plan to make the app available on other platforms once we get this off the ground.

Once launched we will begin working on an update almost immediately so that we can add new features. We will also begin looking at ways to launch a similar app for other devices.