Any interest in a BlackBerry Cigar application?

[JE3146]

I'm currently playing with the BlackBerry Java SDK and was wondering if there was any interest in an application for it.

Obviously there is the iPhone counterpart being developed here, and I hope not to step on any toes by creating this, but it seems to be one thing the BB community lacks.

So if you're interested in such a piece of software, what features would you like for it to have?

I have a direction on paper I'd like to go towards, but at the same time I'm curious to know what people would actually like out of such an application.

Thank you in advance for any feedback.

[Eleven]

Easy Database entry.

Maybe Barcode functions for entering cigar info, and also exporting info for others to have.

PC companion software for tracking, importing, exporting, etc etc.

[Wolfgang]

Can I get a galactic overlord button?

[elderboy02]

Droid ;)

[E-Tx Surveyor]

I would pay up to $9.99 for an app.
I would like something where I could put the individual cigar details, date I bought it, what I paid, and then of course smoking notes that could all be edited at a later date if needed.
A search function would be awesome, type in the name of the cigar and it just redirects to the mobile browser with a google search.

The top of the line for me would be an app with pictures of the sticks, at least the bands. I could type in the name and it would bring up a picture and a link to a review, and also a pronunciation key. I would also be able to submit a review.

[JE3146]

Droid ;)

Not switching for a while. Sorry buddy.

I can pick up a new language/dev platform in about 1 to 3 days, so it isn't much of an issue, I just have nothing to test it on as I develop.

That and there are plenty of Droid developers. The BB market is stale for an app like this.

[elderboy02]

...
That and there are plenty of Droid developers. The BB market is stale for an app like this.

Very true. :)

Well, when you upgrade to the Droid, I will look forward to an app. :tu

[SigEpGF]

I'm in love with my Blackberry, and would love a cigar app.

[loki]

nope, not interested

[md4958]

i would have loved this a year ago... how about something for the Droid instead? :D

[dubnick]

Would love one...

Maybe with a desktop interface too...

[JE3146]

i would have loved this a year ago... how about something for the Droid instead? :D

I changed a few things around from my initial concept based on a couple conversations I've had and pending some trials with the Droid SDK, I'll be entertaining the idea.

The way the program will be setup will be easy to port it to the Droid if necessary. The device will source data from an online server and store it to persistent memory. It will also store local data in persistent memory and give the option to sync it to the server. The benefit here is two fold.

As long as you sync it periodically, you won't lose information tied to your account and you'll also be able to see averaged ratings of sticks compiled from other users. Not only that but it gives me the flexibility to eventually make a Windows application in C# and possibly a port of that for the Mac in Cocoa# that can perform a similar task as the mobile device.

Granted this is all up in the air based on how complex I want to make the database, but it should be a fun project. :tu

[E-Tx Surveyor]

Looking forward to it. I always have my BB, but I don't always have my notes.

[LooseCard]

Voted "not interested" because you specify BB

My next upgrade, which will be later this year, will likely be Droid/Android.

May be interested then.
Definitely would have to be PC connectable. I'd likely do majority of my data entry through a PC then the small screen device.

[JE3146]

Voted "not interested" because you specify BB

My next upgrade, which will be later this year, will likely be Droid/Android.

May be interested then.
Definitely would have to be PC connectable. I'd likely do majority of my data entry through a PC then the small screen device.

Just to note this will be geared as a mobile app first, PC app possibly. ;)

[JE3146]

So here's the rundown so far. At least what I'm aiming for. Minor details might change but for the most part, this has been my plan and will continue to be, if not all up front then in subsequent updates.

What's being developed now -

Features


Easy to use User Interface that's clean and non battery consuming.
Low file size for the application
All data stored locally on device will be stored on the SD card in SQLite databases
Centralized serverside database containing brands, boxes, cigars, and details
Centralized serverside database containing user reviews of the cigars
Ability to submit new cigars, brands, or boxes for the database via website form(they will require approval prior to entering the database)
Ability to fill in details about a cigar not in the database for a review
Ability to modify and delete reviews.
Compiled ratings from centralized database
2 way syncing feature to re-download lost reviews or upload reviews to server.
Ability to view reviews on device sorted by date, brand or rating
Ability to add purchased boxes and link reviews to box purchases for reference.
My Humidor page to show off a picture of your humidor


Requirements


Blackberry OS 5.0
SD card in device
Currently being developed for BlackBerry Storm/Storm2, Curve, Tour, and Bold


And below a few prototype screen shots.

Enjoy :tu

[jsnake]

Sounds way cool. I don't understand why all the iphone cigar apps when most cigar smokers I know are business professionals who use Blackberries.

[waffle]

Sounds way cool. I don't understand why all the iphone cigar apps when most cigar smokers I know are business professionals who use Blackberries.

Do you have any idea how many business professionals I run into now that are using iPhones... its crazy!!!! But I agree with you, BB should def. have an app.

[JE3146]

Just to add, I'm co-developing an app for the Android OS 2.2 (due to requests) as well that will be nearly identical to the BB app. They'll use the same online database, so if you were to switch phone types, it'd migrate seamlessly :tu

Sadly the Android one will look nicer due to the nicer UI API features. BB's are inherently flawed it seems. Probably why no one develops for them.

[KenS]

Jordan,

As you probably know, I am the author of Mobile Stogie for the iPhone. I've had quite a few emails asking for a blackberry version, so I know there is demand out there. I have considered porting to Android, but don't really have the time to do so. As for iPhones for business professionals, as of today Mobile Stogie has sold 4,266 copies, so there is demand there as well ;)

Although I'm not willing to "give away" the code to Mobile Stogie, I would be happy to offer feedback as you go through the development of your app, in terms of things that I've learned, how I connect to the online database, etc. Feel free to reach out to me if you want to discuss things with another developer.

I think it's great to see somebody tackling the app for blackberry and wish you the best of luck :tu

[dubnick]

That's very nice of you KenS... :tu

[Barteur]

Cant wait to see the end result.

[JE3146]

Jordan,

As you probably know, I am the author of Mobile Stogie for the iPhone. I've had quite a few emails asking for a blackberry version, so I know there is demand out there. I have considered porting to Android, but don't really have the time to do so. As for iPhones for business professionals, as of today Mobile Stogie has sold 4,266 copies, so there is demand there as well ;)

Although I'm not willing to "give away" the code to Mobile Stogie, I would be happy to offer feedback as you go through the development of your app, in terms of things that I've learned, how I connect to the online database, etc. Feel free to reach out to me if you want to discuss things with another developer.

I think it's great to see somebody tackling the app for blackberry and wish you the best of luck :tu

Much appreciated :)

Honestly that alleviates a lot of worry for me, as I didn't want to offend, but I knew the platform desperately needed something. Luckily Android is Java as well, so it's an easy(relatively speaking) port once you get past the API differences.

[chicken]

I have been looking for a cigar app for my blackberry. That would be awesome

[stearns]

Go droid, I'd pay

Stearns

[darkninja67]

Would love a Droid version as well.

[JE3146]

http://www.cigarnotes.net/

:tu

Progress is happening. Still too soon to quote a release date.

[bvilchez]

The initial page alone looks great Jordan.

[dwoodward]

An application would be cool. I would definitely try it out for sure.

[stearns]

That looks ballin, id definitely pay for it

Stearns

[jsnake]

I just switched from Blackberry to Droid so another vote for Droid lol.

[chicken]

That looks fantastic!

[neoflex]

I just wish I had the time and the energy to be that organized. I would check it out but I got to be honest and say I would probably never put it to good use.

[JE3146]

Thanks for the feedback on the site :)

Once I get some time frames in mind, I'll close this thread and make a development thread to highlight the beta process and eventually the release.

[ucubed]

It's looking good...at least from what Aldrin showed me...hurry with the Blackberry version!!!

[JE3146]

It's looking good...at least from what Aldrin showed me...hurry with the Blackberry version!!!

His version is so outdated already :D I'm already parsing XML from the web server. His can't do that yet.

A lot of the work is getting the infrastructure set up and the databases designed as well as the processes to handle the data. The UI stuff takes a couple weeks at best. The BlackBerry will be second to finish, but I don't expect it to be that much longer. All depends on how much Aldrin contributes ;) He's my intern :D

[s0leful0ne]

lets doooo itttt

[chicken]

Work him like a dog!

[JohnE1000]

I don't have a blackberry, so I don't care one way or another

[Thrak]

too bad its 5.0 and up only... I know alot of people that still have curves (4.5os).. including me.

[NeuRon]

i would be interested

[JE3146]

too bad its 5.0 and up only... I know alot of people that still have curves (4.5os).. including me.

I'll check into it. I wasn't aware there was hardware limitations other than the Pearl (which... screen is too dang small anyway). If the API's I need run on 4.5, then I don't see why I can't deliver on it. :tu

[RHNewfie]

This ready yet :-) Just kidding! I have thought about doing this myself, now I won't have to!

[elderboy02]

Will we have the ability to keep inventory of our cigars? Like how many of each cigar we have?

[JE3146]

This ready yet :-) Just kidding! I have thought about doing this myself, now I won't have to!

LOL.

It's taking a bit longer than I would have liked, but sadly I'm a bit of a perfectionist. There has been progress. I just stopped giving micro updates to my testers because I didn't want to annoy them :D

[JE3146]

Will we have the ability to keep inventory of our cigars? Like how many of each cigar we have?

Yup :tu

[RHNewfie]

Oooh, testing!!

Say, will it be OTA install and updates?

[JE3146]

Oooh, testing!!

Say, will it be OTA install and updates?

By testing, I merely meant components of the UI to see if the 'look' was a good thing to pursue :D Bad choice of words ... it isn't 'that far' yet.

It will be OTA through the BB/Android Market. The website is merely for support and to host the database of cigars that can be updated.

The database itself will not need an involved update procedure. You simply will go to settings and click 'update database' (or something to that effect if I happen to change the current wordage), and it will update your cigar reference database. All new info will be downloaded to your phone, if there is an update available for it.

If there is a program update, that will go through the appropriate market.



Though the Android will come first of the two and that's because it's the easiest to code for. I'm gonna have to remake this thread eventually as it's a bit misleading to my current timeline. :(

[troutbreath]

Me likey!

I use Ken's app on my iTouch, and LOVE it. But, I don't always have my ipod with me. By contrast, my Blackberry Storm is glued to me at all times. It would be GREAT to have something with the features mentioned on this thread. Barcode scanning . . . whew.

[JE3146]

Me likey!

I use Ken's app on my iTouch, and LOVE it. But, I don't always have my ipod with me. By contrast, my Blackberry Storm is glued to me at all times. It would be GREAT to have something with the features mentioned on this thread. Barcode scanning . . . whew.

Yea.... barcode scanning would be impossible for me to keep up with. I don't think I could do that one, nor do I have the resources out there to test such a thing. :(

[lawman]

What's the status? The thread's been quiet since 7-31-10.

[JE3146]

Progress is happening, albeit slowly.

I'm programming by myself, and I'm a software design engineer during the day at work. Some days I just want to come home and do anything but stare at code. Other days I'm psyched to work on it.

It's a pretty complex project and I'm a bit of a perfectionist. :)

I'll try to be better with updates though.

[lawman]

Hope I didn't sound like I was trying to rush you. Just curious. Thanks for the update.

[Tripp]

I don't know how I missed this thread for this long. I'm excited to see what you've come up with, Jordan.

[JE3146]

Hope I didn't sound like I was trying to rush you. Just curious. Thanks for the update.

Not at all :tu I just hope people understand that I created this thread at the very beginning of the app's life and that it will take a bit of time to create the thing in it's entirely. Even moreso now that I've expanded it to not only a review app, but also an inventory and reference app.

Though I was intentionally hoping to let this thread die for a bit to then create a dedicated development thread that highlighted both the Android and the BB app. :) Since this one only highlights the BB.

[DennisP]

Since a Beaver is designing it I'm very interested. :tu

[bvilchez]

Any update?

[CRIMPS]

Just to note this will be geared as a mobile app first, PC app possibly. ;)

Its my understanding that most of the PC Apps available currently are stale. I don't know this first hand. I would love to have an online database app. A mobile app that would work as a plugin would be great.

I run a lot. There are a few running database websites in which you can enter in all of your running log info. Of course, you can enter in the pertinent info directly within the Android mobile app that is available. So easy, even a caveman can do it! ;)

[Evonnida]

Any word on this? I would like an app for my BB Bold!

[jjmitchem]

I am definitely interested, my wife just got me a Blackberry Tour - my old cell died on the trip out here to the desert - so she upgraded me.

[LooseCard]

The site says nothing... haven't seen an update here in a while...


HEY JORDAN!

[mikethegoalie32]

Any update?

[Cattani]

First time seeing this...I would be VERY excited to get this.

[JE3146]

I've been super busy at work lately. Have made very minimal progress on either apps in the past couple of months. Haven't even had much time to spend on CA in general.

Most work has been on the web side of things and how it would interface with it.

My apologies with this. It's still on my plate. Just hoping things get easier soon so I have more free time.

[ABNMP619]

I would pay up to $9.99 for an app.
I would like something where I could put the individual cigar details, date I bought it, what I paid, and then of course smoking notes that could all be edited at a later date if needed.
A search function would be awesome, type in the name of the cigar and it just redirects to the mobile browser with a google search.

The top of the line for me would be an app with pictures of the sticks, at least the bands. I could type in the name and it would bring up a picture and a link to a review, and also a pronunciation key. I would also be able to submit a review.

I agree with Shawn on this one. Price, features, etc. Will this app be available for iPhone as well?

[RHNewfie]

I believe there is an iPhone app already, MobileStogie.

[mundo472]

Jordan, it's been a while but are you still working in this? I've been looking for something like this for some time for either the phone or playbook.

[Blak Smyth]

Do you have any idea how many business professionals I run into now that are using iPhones... its crazy!!!! But I agree with you, BB should def. have an app.

Agreed, everybody I know professionaly and deal with has converted to iPhone and even some droids.

The screen shots look cool though. I wish there was a better option for an iphone app, I tried a couple and they are not user friendly enough for me to keep updated.

[mundo472]

If you could make this for the BlackBerry Playbook it would also run on the new BB 10 phones coming in October.
MobleStogie is terrific but they won't port to another platform. An option would be for that to be ported to the Android os, which would be easily converted to the Playbook, which would then run on BB10.