BMF Thames Valley to launch new app at the London Boat Show!

[BMF Thames Valley]

Hello YBW Thames forum!

BMF Thames Valley here.

Just a quick note to say that we'll be launching our new app "Explore Thames" on the iPhone, iPad and iPad mini range of Apple devices on the 4 January 2014 at the London Boat Show.

The App will be FREE to download on all mobile iOS devices during the Show (4 - 12 January 2014) so don't forget to get yours!

Features:

Fully interactive map
GPS location with full navigation
Pinch to zoom function
Distance from location (direct)
Colour coordinated Points of Interest (PoI's) - BMF Members, Bridges, Locks, Slipways, short stay moorings, Emergency RVPs, food and drink, accommodation, places to visit and a whole lot more!
Full search function
Information on the River Thames
RSS fed news & Events, including River conditions
Push notifications for business offers/discounts & useful information
Unique User "Recommendation" tool

For more information visit www.explorethames.co.uk or follow us on twitter @ExploreThames

More to come soon!

 

[boatone]

Seemed to miss this being posted but maybe its just been held up pending new user approval?

 

[BMF Thames Valley]

Seemed to miss this being posted but maybe its just been held up pending new user approval?

Yep! Just joined!

Looking forward to being part of the Forum!

 

[Chris_d]

I can see all these free app's costing me a fortune to throw away all my Samsungs

But all these guides are only for newbies so hopefully not missing much.

 

[BMF Thames Valley]

I can see all these free app's costing me a fortune to throw away all my Samsungs

But all these guides are only for newbies so hopefully not missing much.

Don't worry Chris_d, we are already thinking about getting it on Android devices in the not to distant future!

 

[Rascal Joe]

The River Thames Guide has everything the BMF propose PLUS it works on iPads as well as iPhones and its journey planner works out the sailing time and number of locks to transit between any two places (not sure of the value of the straight line distance unless you are in a hovercraft!). I suspect that the BMF app needs an Internet connection to show the map - the River Thames Guide is self contained so although using GPS to find your location does not need an Internet connection.
Over 2,000 Thames users have already downloaded the free app (it will remain free so no need to rush during the Boat Show!).
The River Thames Guide can be downloaded from the App Store here: here .

A new, improved and updated 2014 version will be launched before the boat show (and will be a free upgrade of course)

 

[Richard Shead]

I have allowed both App threads to stay but if it turns into a slanging match they are all coming down (not saying it is yet!)

There is enough room in the market for both apps so let the consumer decide.

Cheers

 

[Rascal Joe]

There is enough room in the market for both apps so let the consumer decide.

Cheers

Completely agree!

 

[Gumpy]

I have allowed both App threads to stay but if it turns into a slanging match they are all coming down (not saying it is yet!)

There is enough room in the market for both apps so let the consumer decide.

Cheers

Except both apps are single platform and therefore useless to those of us not on that platform.......

 

[Richard Shead]

Except both apps are single platform and therefore useless to those of us not on that platform.......

The single biggest and most accessible platform out there ... The rest will follow and that's how the app market works.

 

[Gumpy]

The single biggest and most accessible platform out there ... The rest will follow and that's how the app market works.

Android now has over 50% of os sales sales so it will very soon be the majority platform.
Ios is no longer the dominant os.....

 

[Richard Shead]

Android now has over 50% of os sales sales so it will very soon be the majority platform.
Ios is no longer the dominant os.....

Indeed and it will follow no doubt but most launch on the biggest and most accessible platform which is iOS. It's not an apple vs the world argument it's just the way the market is at this moment in time.

 

[No Regrets]

iPhones tend to be owned by more intelligent people however, as Android owners are usually kids or people who work at McDonalds...

 

[teddington_lock]

Hahahaha !

 

[BMF Thames Valley]

Except both apps are single platform and therefore useless to those of us not on that platform.......

Hi There,

BMF Thames Valley are planning to develop the Explore Thames App on android devices. We recognise that not everyone wants/has an iPhone and we want as many people to experience our AWESOME app.

 

[Chris_d]

Over 2,000 Thames users have already downloaded the free app

I think that is a bold claim I doubt they are all Thames "users" !

 

[Rascal Joe]

I think that is a bold claim I doubt they are all Thames "users" !

I am sure you are right - indeed, at least one download was from Albania! But I can only repeat the statistics provided by the App Store; nevertheless the vast majority are UK downloads so a decent number of Thames users I suspect. But the download numbers are, like any statistics, subject to interpretation (as they will be for the BMF).
Whatever the numbers it seems sensible for any Thames user to download all the free Apps (and the BMF one for 1.99) so that they are best equipped whatever situation they find themselves in (and be aware that some Apps, unlike River Thames Guide, will need an Internet connection for location information).
The 2014 version of River Thames Guide will have more information and more functionality based on the first year's use on the Thames.
Apps are changing the way we do all sorts of things (and for the better in my experience) and can make boating safer and more fun (as well as cheaper: 69p for a speed App is much better value and probably more accurate than a fitted speedometer at £400+...).

 

[apollo]

How many actually use it, I downloaded it but tbh never use it.

 

[BMF Thames Valley]

Evening all,

Good to see so many people reading and responding to this thread! Thanks for everyone's interest!

Just a a little update about Explore Thames...

1. Yes, it will use 3G/4G/wifi to use the maps, but with most (if not all) smartphone contracts having decent data bundles as part of their package, we believe that at less than 20MB to download, the Explore Thames app offers the best of both worlds - loads of content without using valuable memory.
2. The benefit of it being connected is that we will be sending live "in map" information to the app, offering a great user experience.
3. The Explore Thames app can be completely tailored to the users own interest. Users can toggle on/off all the points of interest that are displayed. It's entirely up to you! (Although we have made some suggestions to help out)
4. Remember it's FREE between 4-12 January - download it, use it, love it, rate it!

Thanks for now!

 

[mlines]

I guess info like this is disappointing to Apps developers....74% of users use an app less than 10 times.