Access PhotoCamel via your iPhone and Android! (Updated).

[Paul Shields]

No doubt like a lot of people here, I have a phone that is basically a small Internet connected computer which just happens to make and take calls. The problem though is that the browsing experience is often restricted due to the small screen size when using a web browser...

Typical view of the forum via the Safari web browser on the iPhone:



Wouldn't it be great if we had a native application for our iPhones that allowed us to get to the "meat" of the forum, allowing us to browse threads, view images, post comments, check messages etc without the constant resizing and squinting inherent with a browser-based interface?

Thankfully, some people have been thinking along these very same lines and have created an application that runs on your iPhone that encapsulates the important information from our website and presents it in a much more readable way when using one of these newfangled mobile device thingies.

The application in question is called Tapatalk and we have applied some background server-side magic to allow anyone using the app to access PhotoCamel from their mobile device (note: currently iPhone only, though access via Android based phones is in development).

Some example images to give you an idea of how it looks and works:


Initial page on launching application:



A list of photography sites that use the Tapatalk interface (obviously, we politely ignore any that do not incorporate camels...):



Once launched, you log in just as you would do via a web browser:




Once logged in you are presented with a simple approximation of the website, showing the forum hierarchy:



Let's click on one of the forums:


Find an interesting thread? Let's click on it:


See a thumbnail (or several) that you want to see in full resolution? Simply click on it, and scroll through the images with your finger as per normal iPhone requirements:


Feel like you just have to comment on such a smokingly good post? Just select reply:


Let's see if there's anything in my inbox (private messages):


Quick short cut to check for updates in threads I've contributed to:


Let's see what's happening right now on the camel:


Want to check out a profile? You can quickly select your own or click on the avatar of a poster and see his/her general profile as well as their latest posts and threads that they have started:






Ok so that all looks pretty cool. Are there any caveats? Well, there is one main one in that this is an application only available via the Apple iTunes Store and is non-free (non-free is a technical term meaning "it costs money").

How much? Well about one or two cups of latte I guess - £1.79 (UK pricing), $2.99 for US pricing.


Note that the application and the company behind it have no association with our community. We don't benefit if you choose to use the app, and we don't suffer any harm if you do not. All support queries regarding the application would need to be placed with the Tapatalk support team and not us.

Having said all that, we think it kind of rocks, and the developers seem very keen to push out updates and add new features ASAP (being able to attach images would be a big bonus for us obviously, though you can still post links to images held elsewhere). If anyone wants to give it a go then let us know how it works for you.

[transcape5]

Ah, that explains the error I get when the option to choose Tapatalk comes up; I need to purchase and install the app first! It does look quite cool judging from these screenshots.

Thanks for the update, Paul.

[JDArt]

This is awesome, Paul. Is there a version of this that works with BlackBerry?

[Paul Shields]

Originally Posted by JDArt

This is awesome, Paul. Is there a version of this that works with BlackBerry?

I'd love to say yes, but unfortunately... no .

But, hey you've an excuse to get that shiny iPhone you've always wanted .

[JDArt]

Originally Posted by Paul Shields

I'd love to say yes, but unfortunately... no .

But, hey you've an excuse to get that shiny iPhone you've always wanted .

Let me guess: you're responding from your iphone.

[Paul Shields]

nope - currently on a laptop running the Windows 7 OS, which almost pains me to say is actually quite nice. Just so long as it stays well away from any of my mobile devices .

Seriously - there have been requests for a Blackberry app, but I wouldn't hold your breath. There is an Android version in development though, if that's any use to you?

[JDArt]

Originally Posted by Paul Shields

nope - currently on a laptop running the Windows 7 OS, which almost pains me to say is actually quite nice.

Agree. Windows 7 has me tempted to upgrade all of my computers to it. XP still has its charm, but once you get used to the conveniences of Windows 7, it's tough to go back.

[rnyholm]

Nice it really works. Especially nice when iPhone shows the photos so well.

[fredlef]

tapatalk rocks! i was so so when I saw it here but then again in your newsletter i decided to give it a go - glad i did!

[Athena]

Darn it, I am presently squinting and resizing on my blackberry...

[mcbit]

Yup! Cool on the iPhone!

[Waleed]

Very nice, thanks

[Paul Shields]

Updated to add: The app is now also available for Android phones (e.g. Motorola Droid, T-mobile G1, HTC Magic, HTC Hero etc). Functionality and look is pretty similar to the iPhone - screencaps here. The app is currently beta for Android users, and is free from the Android App Market!

We've also been updating the software on the server since we first announced this and it has added a number of bug fixes and new features (including the very useful ability to upload images to posts via your mobile device). Those using the app should also ensure that you're on the latest release to take advantage of these features.

[JDArt]

Originally Posted by Paul Shields

Updated to add: The app is now also available for Android phones (e.g. Motorola Droid, T-mobile G1, HTC Magic, HTC Hero etc). Functionality and look is pretty similar to the iPhone - screencaps here. The app is currently beta for Android users, and is free from the Android App Market!

We've also been updating the software on the server since we first announced this and it has added a number of bug fixes and new features (including the very useful ability to upload images to posts via your mobile device). Those using the app should also ensure that you're on the latest release to take advantage of these features.

Still waiting for BlackBerry support. Apparently it's coming very soon...

[Delano Color]

i am posting from my G1 phone. It's free until the end of this month, then you can only read but not post unless you purchase it for a whopping $1.99

[That Guy 2-1]

Have been using it for about a mobth or more. My only issue is that it doesn't load all the pics. Loads only fist and the rest say connection error. Other than that and the fact that it crashes if the post is data/pic intensive every now and then, it's easy and I like to use it. It also helps that my next favorite forum (automotive) is also on the network