BBO mobile app 3.1 released

[fred]

A huge thank you for this!

As pointed out by others there is still way to go to arrive at the level of the browser version but what you have done so far is really a great job.

After all we all have been waiting so long for this mobile version, we will wait patiently for every improvement to come in the future :)

Played about 30 hands this morning on my iPad and really enjoyed.

 

Saluti da Milano

Farid

Thanks! A new and much more powerful version has been submitted to Apple's app store. Hopefully it will be approved within a week or so.

 

Fred Gitelman

Bridge Base Inc.

www.bridgebase.com

[ulven]

Thanks! A new and much more powerful version has been submitted to Apple's app store. Hopefully it will be approved within a week or so.

 

Fred Gitelman

Bridge Base Inc.

www.bridgebase.com

 

And Android?

[fred]

And Android?

The next Android release will be (essentially) identical to the next iOS release. That rates to continue.

 

Google approves apps almost immediately, but Apple takes about a week to do so. We will submit the Android version as soon as the iOS version is approved by Apple. It makes our lives easier if both the iOS and Android versions are made available to the general public at about the same time.

 

Fred Gitelman

Bridge Base Inc.

www.bridgebase.com

[mrdct]

So, Fred, any sneak-peeks on what improvements we'll see in the new version?

[paulg]

Given that it seems that Adobe Flash/Air will not be available on Android 4.1 (aka Jelly Bean) (http://blogs.adobe.c...oid-update.html) on the Google Nexus 7 and other devices, is it likely that we shall be able to run BBO in a browser or standalone app on this Android version in the near future?

[barmar]

That article says they're phasing out Flash, but not Air (reread the first sentence). The mobile app uses Air.

[paulg]

That article says they're phasing out Flash, but not Air (reread the first sentence). The mobile app uses Air.

Okay, thanks. I am revisiting my optician on Wednesday since I did not believe his results last week, but perhaps he was right!

[fred]

Apple is taking longer than expected to approve the new version of the BBO mobile app and, since I am leaving for a long tournament on Tuesday, we decided to release the new Android version this morning. Google's approval process is basically automatic, but it may take several hours for people in some parts of the world to be able to access the new version through the Google's "Play Store".

 

Presumably Apple has a bigger backlog of app submissions than usual, but hopefully they will get around to approving the new version of our app within the next few days.

 

Most likely we won't be doing any serious publicity for the new version until it is available in Apple's app store, but I thought that Forums regulars who use Android devices might like to know that they can now (or at least soon) upgrade their BBO app.

 

Fred Gitelman

Bridge Base Inc.

www.bridgebase.com

[the_dude]

Downloaded the software ... looks great. I don't find the interface busy (as others have said) - I like the fact that there is so much functionality at your fingertips. Playing in this app (as opposed to flash) has been a wonder. I look forward to tournaments being enabled so I can pay you for your efforts :)

 

One request ... *PLEASE* put *LANDSCAPE* mode on top of your list. Many of us have ASUS transformers, or the like, with attached keyboards that only really work in Landscape mode. Having to close up the keyboard, and type on the screen, is more pain that I can endure...

 

Great work, thanks!

[radzik]

Version 3.1 works really great on motorola defy with android 2.3, what I am missing is the access to training room.

 

Well done!

[Rain]

As promised, we have released an update to our mobile app. If you have a tablet or a smartphone (Apple, most Android devices and Amazon Kindle Fire), please get the new and improved BBO app. We call this app version 3.1

 

What's new?

Log in to BBO with your user ID

Create a BBO user ID if needed

Maintain your friends list

Browse lists of your friends, stars, yellow hosts

Play with other people via "Help me find a game"

Chat with people

Various bug fixes and improvements

 

In addition, you will still be able to play with robots but will need to select the "Play anonymously" option to do so. We expect to keep adding to our app in the coming months. Stay tuned!

 

Please add your comments/suggestions to the suggestion thread Fred created previously.

http://www.bridgebase.com/forums/topic/53647-bbo-mobile-app-comments-thread/page__pid__651694__st__40#entry651694

[bradd]

When I go to Play Store and search on Bridge Base Online, I don't get Fred's application coming up. My phone is a Galaxy Mini, so I should be able to use it. Does this mean that my particular model isn't supported? If so, will that change in the next update?

[bradd]

I have a Galaxy Tablet 10.1 and much prefer to use the ordinary (android) browser version of BBO (having just tried out this mobile/tablet version). The only problem is it's now impossible to log in using the browser. Orginally I was able to log in if I was careful, then it became more difficult still and now I can't get any letters to type in to the password box. Apologies if this is off topic.

[gwnn]

I have a Galaxy Tablet 10.1 and much prefer to use the ordinary (android) browser version of BBO (having just tried out this mobile/tablet version). The only problem is it's now impossible to log in using the browser. Orginally I was able to log in if I was careful, then it became more difficult still and now I can't get any letters to type in to the password box. Apologies if this is off topic.

Try just clicking on "login" (maybe your password is saved) or typing your password and clicking on "login", not caring if any characters come up in the field.

[katiekat1]

I just downloaded the App to my iPad2 and it's great. Thanks BBO!

[bradd]

Try just clicking on "login" (maybe your password is saved) or typing your password and clicking on "login", not caring if any characters come up in the field.

I tried that, but it doesn't work. The login input box is highlighted, but I can't get anything to stick in there. That didn't used to be the case a few months ago. I've had a firmware upgrade since then, perhaps that's why.

[barmar]

I tried that, but it doesn't work. The login input box is highlighted, but I can't get anything to stick in there. That didn't used to be the case a few months ago. I've had a firmware upgrade since then, perhaps that's why.

There have been other threads about using the BBO web app on Android devices. Please search for those threads, as people have reported similar password problems and recommended solutions. Let's keep this thread focused on the mobile app, thanks.

[bradd]

Thanks barmar, it turns out that turning off predictive text fixed the problem for me.

 

But I'm still wondering why I can't access the mobile version for my Samsung Mini smartphone - it just doesn't show up in the search for BBO in the Play Store. I can only assume my particular model isn't compatible for some reason. I found it OK on the tablet, but as I mentioned above, the standard version works better for me on the Galaxy 10.1 - I can view it in landscape mode too.

 

Maybe the next mobile version will fix this, do you think?

[8po]

the upgraded app of bbo is almost perfect with all the basic features for logging in as oneself, playing with human and chatting with them. the chat is supporting multi languages. the only bug i've found so far on my android phone is that u cannot delete the word u've typed wrong. u hv the press "cancel" and re-type the whole thing instead of just that word.

 

Thanks Fred and bbo for the great app

[chebfarid]

the upgraded app of bbo is almost perfect with all the basic features for logging in as oneself, playing with human and chatting with them. the chat is supporting multi languages. the only bug i've found so far on my android phone is that u cannot delete the word u've typed wrong. u hv the press "cancel" and re-type the whole thing instead of just that word.

 

Thanks Fred and bbo for the great app

Quote everything - really a great job, every announced feature works perfectly on my iPad.

Looking forward to v. 3.2 :)

 

Ciao

Farid

[mrdct]

It's great to see these further enhancements and I don't think I'm far away from the iPad being my standard means of using BBO.

 

What I'd really like to see in the next version is:

 

1. Landscape option.

2. Other room result when kibitzing a teamsmatch or watching vugraph.

3. Non-simulataneous card-play when a robot is declaring.

[semeai]

I'm really excited about the app, and it's coming along great so far, with the ability now to be taken to a table to play humans (with a partner or solo) and other niceties that come with being logged in and having a friend list.

 

The interface is well designed. The ability to choose whether to confirm cards and bids is great, and reviewing results works very nicely.

 

Even just playing the robots is a great deal more fun than the other bridge programs for iOS, with the ability to compare against real people playing the same robots.

 

A few comments:

 

1. In the iOS store, searching for "bridgebase" returns no results since the release of version 3.1 (previously it worked). You have to search for "bridge base" instead. Just a minor marketing issue. Maybe there's a way to add keywords to your app.

 

2. Landscape orientation would be great. Failing that, it'd be nice to be able to at least flip vertically, as I like holding the device with the power cord coming out the top when it's charging (as opposed to out the bottom into my lap).

 

3. It's not really a problem, but the whole thing seems very slightly sluggish. Is this just the non-native coding (which I understand you have to do) combined with the mobile processor, or is there something possibly to be done to make it more snappy?

[Free]

By coincidence I stumbled upon the other thread, announcing the BBO app. Obviously I downloaded it immediately, I wasn't even aware BBO had created an app which works on an iPhone. Wonderful initiative, thanks a lot!

 

What I'd suggest is a link to the vugraph broadcasts. I can already watch this using Safari, so definitely not a high priority. Adding a simple hyperlink probably isn't that much effort and it would include nice functionality (although it doesn't keep you in your app). Adding a button would obviously be nicer, but will require more effort, so a link might be useful for the time being.

[FM75]

Nice improvement!

 

I would strongly suggest using more obvious controls and less reliance on fortunate random taps. That approach makes all 3 versions harder to learn. The graphics looks more polished than the previous two versions - bbowin, and web.

 

BBO Web and Mobile Apps should look as much alike as possible! and the behavior should be identical. That is not to say that a spin object should not appear on a mobile device, and a drop down using web browser, but getting either event to occur should happen as the result of the same action on either.

 

Is there an analog to right clicking on iPad, iPhone, etc. (double tap)? If so, put it in the help, and make it work the same.

 

I also echo the sentiment of making landscape work.

 

For a kibber, it is really annoying that the mobile screen saver results in a lost connection. Can you fix that, so that when you swipe back on, the application is still live and not logged out?

 

My $0.02.

[mrdct]

2. Landscape orientation would be great. Failing that, it'd be nice to be able to at least flip vertically, as I like holding the device with the power cord coming out the top when it's charging (as opposed to out the bottom into my lap).

If you orientate your iPad with the power cable at the top before you launch the BBO app it will present itself the right-way up.