Official Mobile App

[1nxtmonster]

Will you guys be uploading the app to the Amazon App Store?

Probably not. Hadn't thought about doing that. Is there a particular reason to add it there in addition to the Google Play one?

P.S. - The app should be available very soon now. We are waiting on Apple to review and approve it.

Any updates on the app's status?

[chalker]

Any updates on the app's status?

We've been waiting for quite a while for Apple to approve it. The timing of this wasn't very good, since they just released IOS 8, and tons of people are submitting new or updated apps for review. Hopefully it'll get approved in the next few days, then we can publicize it.

[1nxtmonster]

Any updates on the app's status?

We've been waiting for quite a while for Apple to approve it. The timing of this wasn't very good, since they just released IOS 8, and tons of people are submitting new or updated apps for review. Hopefully it'll get approved in the next few days, then we can publicize it.

Thanks. And what about the android app?

[chalker]

Thanks. And what about the android app?

It's been ready to go. We just don't want to release it separately from the IOS one. Both will become available at the same time.

[chalker]

And they are finally LIVE!

Here are the Google Play links:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/deta ... d.div_b_15
https://play.google.com/store/apps/deta ... d.div_c_15

And the ITunes links:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/so-mobi ... 87537?mt=8
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/so-mobi ... 32861?mt=8

[slytherin]

Wait, two questions..
1) Does the app cost money?
2) If it does isn't it kind of stupid that the app only works for one year because then you would have to keep buying stuff over and over again for no reason?
Sorry btw I don't mean to be rude..

[zyzzyva980]

Well, it does make sense. The rules do cost money to buy in print, and they can't just give away the rules for free on another platform. Then no one would buy the print rules. I do believe the app is cheaper than the print rules, however. And since you have to buy the print rules every year, it only makes sense that you have to buy the app every year too.

[slytherin]

Well, it does make sense. The rules do cost money to buy in print, and they can't just give away the rules for free on another platform. Then no one would buy the print rules. I do believe the app is cheaper than the print rules, however. And since you have to buy the print rules every year, it only makes sense that you have to buy the app every year too.

Ooohhh, that makes sense. It's just because I already get the rules for free as I'm a student not a teacher, so I didn't realize that the print rules cost money. Anyway thanks

[mntvw]

Why not just a pdf that you can download from the SO site for a fee?

[chalker]

Why not just a pdf that you can download from the SO site for a fee?

We've looked into that a lot and decided not to go that route yet. The primary reason is it's too easy for a PDF to then be copied / posted on the Internet widely. A secondary reason is that would require additional ecommerce infrastructure to check the purchase status, authorize the download, etc. etc. We do distribute PDFs internally and all the State Directors get them for use as appropriate.

[19sawickin]

Cool. I don't particularly understand all of this newfangled telephone business, but is there any possibility of making this available, should it take off, for Windows phones, too, in the future?

Yes. The only reason we didn't was there is a nominal cost associated with putting it in the Windows App store and we weren't sure there was significant interest. If there appears to be enough demand, we can do that relativity quickly.

Yes there should be a lot of demand because science Olympiad is rather diverse and many people I personally know use windows phones (including myself) which are becoming increasingly popular. That would be absolutely fantastic if a windows compatible version came out in the near future.

[windu34]

Is there going to be an updated app available for the 2015-2016 season? Will it be available at the same time the printed rules are made available?

[chalker]

Is there going to be an updated app available for the 2015-2016 season? Will it be available at the same time the printed rules are made available?

Yes there will be one. It should be available about the same time (it's hard to judge exactly due to delays in Apple / Google approving apps).

[windu34]

Wonderful thanks!