We're looking to improve the Remote mobile website, but want to get a feeling for the kinds of phones people are using to access it.
The current Remote mobile site is lean, clean and built for good results on a normal 3G or fairly modern phone (SonyErricson K600i, Nokie 5300 etc). It doesn't do everything we'd like it to though.
We'd really like to start building a more advanced phone site that looks nicer and has more features, but we need to know what people are using.
So... who's using Remote mobile with a Nokia N95, iPhone or other full web browser capable phones and what features would you like to see in Remote mobile that are in Remote web?
I use a Samsung BlackJack (non-crippled edition) which has a nice 320x240 screen and ice remote is pretty ordinary on it.
Great. So that's one vote for IE Mobile (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_Explorer_Mobile).
Any other takers?
Yes! I'm using an iphone and it currently diverts to the icetv.com.au/remote site rather than the phone optimised site. It would be great to be able to use thesite optimised for the small screen, even though you can zoom and pan with the iphone browser. I am guessing that iphone use will become a lot more popular real soon when they are launched officially here.
- Stuart
I have one too, and I think the Remote mobile site and Remote website don't work as well as they could for the iPhone (and others).
We'll definitely be addressing this as soon as we can (hence this thread!). The more info we have from people letting us know what devices they're using, the better we can support and test them.
When the BW starts using Remote, I will be using a Nokia N95.
We've just added the correct viewport meta data to the mobile site that will help iPhones/iPod touches and we assume the new Android platform (and anything else using a recent mobile WebKit build).
We're still going to continue to develop the mobile site, but this will hopefully mean the site is more usable for those with these devices.
any chance of Nokia 5800 touch screen application support?
I'm using an iPhone with the IceTV app: I don't mind it, though there could be some improvement
Win Mobile 6 with either IE or Opera.
Quote from: moocow on February 24, 2009, 04:36:47 PM
any chance of Nokia 5800 touch screen application support?
We're definitely looking at specific support for some of the more popular handsets, but right now a better solution might be to just keep on improving our mobile site. That way we'll support more phones, as the market is quite fragmented at the moment.
I'm using the Samsung i900 omnia have previously used the nokia N95 both have worked great.
Sorry, but I think this phone support is all fluff and nonsense for a minority when there are so many basic features that are still in need of work in the main web site that impact all users and which we have been requesting changes for ages. For example - the HD/SD preferences had outstanding improvements which were promised some five months ago... not available yet; keyword searching is still hit or miss for anything with a short title (ER, Lost, 24, etc., etc.).
Quote from: Russell at IceTV on March 05, 2009, 09:58:58 AM
...but being a very small company, we have limited resources, so I can't give you a time estimate. But it's still high on the priority list, right up with the top items actually...
Nope, I just can't accept that excuse, not when I write software for a living - this is scope creep of gargantuan proportions... you're not just moving the goal posts, you changing the damned town the game is being played in!!
I don't see these "limited resources" being very well used when you keep promising basic features but not delivering and then we see a thread like this one! It's all well and good to get the latest toys working for the techno. minority but, frankly, I'm getting more than a bit hacked off at seeing time and effort expended on these fancy new features which are of benefit to the few, while many of us who have been supporting you for years are still left waiting for the most basic features, promised but not delivered. Yes, coding the basic stuff isn't as much fun as experimenting with the new, but it is what the MAJORITY of your users seem to want and that is where you really should focus your efforts.
Honestly, if I ran my development projects at work like this, my contract would be terminated - stop messing around with all the bells, whistles and frilly bits and concentrate on getting the basic functionality working PLEASE!
I'm sorry to have to be so blunt but you seeem to have lost sight of the correct priorities, is no-one project managing these changes? You need to concentrate your efforts on the requests which are of benefit to the majority of your users and stop playing with the new toys! Besides which, with a decent browser like Opera Mobile installed, most web-enabled phones should be able to use the site effectively if it's been coded in accordance with good design standards - then everyone can benefit from effort being expended on functionality for all users!
Quote from: mtb on March 10, 2009, 01:23:18 AM
Sorry, but I think this phone support is all fluff and nonsense for a minority when there are so many basic features that are still in need of work in the main web site that impact all users and which we have been requesting changes for ages.
Your point is valid, and well-taken. That too, is a problem common to very small companies, trying to prioritize all the things that need to be done to satisfy the most people, which often include the marketing, sales, and management folks inside the company itself. I won't get into all the details that go into deciding what's more important than something else (mostly because I don't understand it all myself). But I can say that, yes, the HD/SD stuff is still a higher priority than getting the web site to support more phones. At least it is today. ;) Just because we're asking questions about what people want doesn't mean it's the next project on the list -- it's just one of many in the queue. And sometimes different work is done by different people, so just because one person is working on a project doesn't necessarily mean another project is being held up. But your request is definitely noted -- we're getting there.
Russell
Quote from: Russell at IceTV on March 10, 2009, 09:35:30 AM
But I can say that, yes, the HD/SD stuff is still a higher priority than getting the web site to support more phones.
Russell
What time frame are we realistically looking at for HD/SD preference? Weeks or months?
Quote from: Trial_Master on March 10, 2009, 09:46:59 AM
What time frame are we realistically looking at for HD/SD preference? Weeks or months?
I would say weeks, or less, but I can't give a time estimate beyond that. Sorry.
Russell
Quote from: Russell at IceTV on March 10, 2009, 09:52:22 AM
I would say weeks, or less
Well I think I'm speaking for the majority when I say bring it on ;)
Quote from: Russell at IceTV on March 10, 2009, 09:35:30 AM
...satisfy the most people, which often include the include the marketing, sales... ...folks inside the company itself...
Ah,
those people... fair enough(!). Perhaps
they are the ones who should be put on the spot answering the forums regarding feature requests, instead of you guys. Perhaps then they might appreciate that, while they make you chase the elusive few, they are undermining the loyalty of the existing majority.
Might I respectfully request that one of those
decision makers be asked to come onto the forums to list and justify the priorities of the various outstanding features - I'm sure other forum members would love to enter into that discussion as well.
Quote from: Trial_Master on March 10, 2009, 10:06:41 AM
Quote from: Russell at IceTV on March 10, 2009, 09:52:22 AM
I would say weeks, or less
Well I think I'm speaking for the majority when I say bring it on ;)
Amen to that.
Quote from: mtb on March 10, 2009, 11:16:59 AMMight I respectfully request that one of those decision makers be asked to come onto the forums to list and justify the priorities of the various outstanding features - I'm sure other forum members would love to enter into that discussion as well.
All IceTV staff read these forums and most reply directly to questions.
Stability and features such as prefer HD/SD and Windows 7 support are huge priorities right now and we realise these are essential if we want to keep our users happy (and if we want to keep our users!).
Please don't see this thread as us losing focus on what's important. As Russell said, it's not always the same person working on the different features, so things can and do happen in parallel.
Quote from: Marc at IceTV on March 10, 2009, 01:13:15 PM
...and Windows 7 support are huge priorities right now and we realise these are essential
Sorry but you said "Windows 7" and "essential"? This is a real bug-bear for me as a web developer - the web should be platform and browser independant and standard compliant, not coded to the MS/IE non-standard.
Given that W7 seems unlikely now to appear until late 2009/2010 and IE8 is supposed to be (finally) more standard adherent, is W7 really that big an issue? At work (govt. dept.) we've recently been instructed to code to W3C and accessibility standards, with IE taking a secondary testing only role - this way we can ensure the increasingly more diverse range of browsers/platforms used by the public can access our sites.
Rant over... I'll go back in my hole now!
Sorry, I should have been more clear!
By "Windows 7" I meant support for our EPG and Interactive services in the Windows 7 Media Center software (ie. people using a Windows PC as a media center plugged into their TV). Windows 7's Media Center has changed quite a few things, breaking our previous software. More info can be found here: http://www.icetv.com.au/iceforum/index.php?board=29.0
We try to stick to web standards as much as possible for the exact reasons you've outlined.
Quote from: Russell at IceTV on March 10, 2009, 09:52:22 AM
Quote from: Trial_Master on March 10, 2009, 09:46:59 AM
What time frame are we realistically looking at for HD/SD preference? Weeks or months?
I would say weeks, or less, but I can't give a time estimate beyond that. Sorry.
Russell
Hi Russell
Weeks about to become a month. Any updates?
BUMP
Quote from: Trial_Master on April 07, 2009, 04:12:01 PM
BUMP
Really bad form mate! You only just posted yesterday.
Quote from: tonymy01 on April 07, 2009, 08:05:20 PM
Quote from: Trial_Master on April 07, 2009, 04:12:01 PM
BUMP
Really bad form mate! You only just posted yesterday.
Why would you consider waiting 26 hours before bumping to be poor form? I thought it to be a generous amount of time for a reply. This isn't a charity I pay for this service and I would like a reply.
Quote from: Russell at IceTV on March 10, 2009, 09:52:22 AM
Quote from: Trial_Master on March 10, 2009, 09:46:59 AM
What time frame are we realistically looking at for HD/SD preference? Weeks or months?
I would say weeks, or less, but I can't give a time estimate beyond that. Sorry.
Russell
Hi Russell
Is it possible to have an update on the HD/SD preference?
Quote from: Trial_Master on April 09, 2009, 02:55:16 PM
Is it possible to have an update on the HD/SD preference?
Yes, we're working on it now actually, and it's definitely still a high priority.
Russell
Thanks for the update.
Hi Russell
Is it possible to have an update on the HD/SD preference?
Another month passes and still no progress on something that was "weeks away" a long long long time ago - and first requested well over a year ago.
Quote from: j s on June 12, 2009, 11:13:49 AM
Another month passes and still no progress on something that was "weeks away" a long long long time ago - and first requested well over a year ago.
I've given up. 10th March it was weeks, not months away?
Is there any way on the iPhone app to get it updated when you set a recording on the Vista WMC? In other words when you check your iPhone app it should reflect any recordings (single or Series) you have made on the PC in Vista WMC.
Quote from: PCKid on June 15, 2009, 12:18:14 PM
Is there any way on the iPhone app to get it updated when you set a recording on the Vista WMC? In other words when you check your iPhone app it should reflect any recordings (single or Series) you have made on the PC in Vista WMC.
It actually does this already, if a recording is setup on the Media Center it will show up under the IceTV Interactive website, under the iPhone application and also under the IceTV Widget.
Quote from: Russell at IceTV on March 10, 2009, 09:52:22 AM
Quote from: Trial_Master on March 10, 2009, 09:46:59 AM
What time frame are we realistically looking at for HD/SD preference? Weeks or months?
I would say weeks, or less, but I can't give a time estimate beyond that. Sorry.
Russell
When is this being released? An update would be appreciated.
Quote from: Trial_Master on June 26, 2009, 04:07:45 PM
Quote from: Russell at IceTV on March 10, 2009, 09:52:22 AM
Quote from: Trial_Master on March 10, 2009, 09:46:59 AM
What time frame are we realistically looking at for HD/SD preference? Weeks or months?
I would say weeks, or less, but I can't give a time estimate beyond that. Sorry.
Russell
When is this being released? An update would be appreciated.
It's "weeks"; it's just that it's fifteen so far. :)
Daniel any updates on new Interactive release?
Quote from: Trial_Master on July 02, 2009, 10:23:18 AM
Daniel any updates on new Interactive release?
Any one at ICE TV then?
Quote
What time frame are we realistically looking at for HD/SD preference? Weeks or months?
We're in the final phases now. We've made some pretty big changes to the entire Interactive system, including the main web site, the mobile site, the iPhone app, and both the Windows and Mac widgets. Things will be much more consistent across applications now, and you'll be able to control series recordings and keyword recordings by HD/SD, repeat status, TV network, time of day, and number of recordings per day. You'll also be able to record the same show on multiple devices, create a series recording after creating a single recording (and vice versa), create a series recording for a show that's not currently scheduled in the guide, view the guide by channel and/or genre, and a few other things as well. We obviously had hoped to have everything released already, but there are so many large projects in the mix that it's taking longer than we expected. But almost everything is code complete and in the testing phase, with just a bit left to be done before we release it all. Hopefully it should be in the next week or two, but I don't have an exact date.
Thanks,
Russell
Thanks for the update Russell. Sounds really good!!!
Agreed, that all sounds great. Russell, are there any changes to the Reccommendations algorithm?
Quote from: prl on July 04, 2009, 09:53:31 AM
Russell, are there any changes to the Reccommendations algorithm?
Our recommendations are handled by a Perth-based Australian start-up called Recommendation Ventures (http://recommendationventures.com/about/). We're still working with them to try to get more information to them so they can improve their recommendations, but that work is not strictly part of the Interactive changes in this release. If there's something in particular you'd like to see that hasn't already been suggested, I believe there are already a few threads about it in the other boards, or you're welcome to start a new one.
Thanks,
Russell
Thanks, Russell. I think I've complained enough about Recommendations already :)
In response to the original question regarding mobile browser support, I'm curious: isn't/can't such info be logged by your web-servers? AFAI'm aware, browser version and OS are commonly reported back to a webserver?
I just recently got a Nokia N97 and i would LOVE to see a widget/application specifically designed for the phone. Tried the web interface and it wasnt that easy to use on the large touch screen as it was quite small.
Will be intruiged to see what the new improvements bring
cheers
Quote from: Russell at IceTV on July 03, 2009, 11:26:28 PM
Quote
What time frame are we realistically looking at for HD/SD preference? Weeks or months?
We're in the final phases now. We've made some pretty big changes to the entire Interactive system, including the main web site, the mobile site, the iPhone app, and both the Windows and Mac widgets. Things will be much more consistent across applications now, and you'll be able to control series recordings and keyword recordings by HD/SD, repeat status, TV network, time of day, and number of recordings per day. You'll also be able to record the same show on multiple devices, create a series recording after creating a single recording (and vice versa), create a series recording for a show that's not currently scheduled in the guide, view the guide by channel and/or genre, and a few other things as well. We obviously had hoped to have everything released already, but there are so many large projects in the mix that it's taking longer than we expected. But almost everything is code complete and in the testing phase, with just a bit left to be done before we release it all. Hopefully it should be in the next week or two, but I don't have an exact date.
Thanks,
Russell
Got any updates on timeframe for us Russell?
Quote from: Trial_Master on July 21, 2009, 03:19:35 PM
Quote from: Russell at IceTV on July 03, 2009, 11:26:28 PM
Quote
What time frame are we realistically looking at for HD/SD preference? Weeks or months?
We're in the final phases now. We've made some pretty big changes to the entire Interactive system, including the main web site, the mobile site, the iPhone app, and both the Windows and Mac widgets. Things will be much more consistent across applications now, and you'll be able to control series recordings and keyword recordings by HD/SD, repeat status, TV network, time of day, and number of recordings per day. You'll also be able to record the same show on multiple devices, create a series recording after creating a single recording (and vice versa), create a series recording for a show that's not currently scheduled in the guide, view the guide by channel and/or genre, and a few other things as well. We obviously had hoped to have everything released already, but there are so many large projects in the mix that it's taking longer than we expected. But almost everything is code complete and in the testing phase, with just a bit left to be done before we release it all. Hopefully it should be in the next week or two, but I don't have an exact date.
Thanks,
Russell
Got any updates on timeframe for us Russell?
BUMP