This one was a bit of surprise from the engineering side but now that the new front pages and content pages have gone live, as well as our admin tools for staff, the next product Rivals is releasing is also live:
Rivals now has an app for iOS and Android.
Now, before you run off to get it, a couple of quick thoughts (PLEASE read all of these, for my sanity and yours):
First and foremost, these are agile projects. And what I mean by that is that there will be bugs that need fixing and those updates will roll out pretty frequently in addition to new features that are already in the pipeline. So, if you decide to use the app to both read our content and post on the board, that's great. Just please understand it's an ongoing thing. This first version that's now live is not a finished product by any means. So whenever prompted over the coming days/weeks/months, update the app.
One of the big bonuses of the app is that it allows for push notifications. So, for example, if I post a new story I have a tool to be able to push a notification to your device to tell you it's there. That's good for breaking news as well as just letting you know what's going on around the site. Now, as anyone who used text alerts in the past will tell you, I'm not someone who does a lot of this so if you're at all worried about getting too many notifications from me, don't be. You'll be able to manage notifications in the app so you can receive them or don't and still use the app just fine.
I also want to stress this: The mobile version of the site/board that we've been using since the spring is NOT going anywhere. So you're not required to download the app unless you want to. The app's version (at least the one for iPhone that I've been testing) of the site is basically the same as the mobile version. The difference is the dedicated app and some of the enhancements (like push notifications) that it provides. But realistically, it's your call how you want to experience the site.
Lastly, I know for a lot of folks who have a smartphone, managing and using an app is second nature at this point. I also know that for a lot of people, it may not be. So if you feel comfortable, go grab it! If you don't, that's okay, too. You'll be getting the same stuff just in a different package. As someone who has worked in technology support in the past, I can tell you this: You know yourself. If it's something you can't handle, that's okay. Understand your technological limitations accordingly.
Now, it's natural that a lot of folks are going to have questions. And I totally understand that.
Please, for the sake of all things holy in this world, do NOT post on the board about issues with the app. At some point down the road, I'll start a thread where we get some feedback on both the new front/content pages as well as the app. But that isn't now.
Instead of filling the board with a bunch of IT-support threads, email me. I say it again: If you download the app and have issues, DO NOT post them here. Email me instead. That way, I can do my best to help you right away. If something becomes enough of a thing where everybody needs to know, I'll post about it. But please know, I'm not going to let the board turn into an IT support forum.
One other thing (and please keep in mind I do not have an Android device so my immediate help with that app will require me emailing someone) in the iOS version of the app that I'm seeing:
It appears there's a bug that might take you to another site's front page and you may get notifications not just from CavsCorner but other sites, too. The site part is easy: There's a "Teams" tab at the bottom that you can use to find Virginia. Once you do, the Forums tabs will connect you to the board. But for now, I'd keep the notifications off until we push an update to the app. If you turn them on and notice that you're getting more than you want, go to you Settings app, selection Notifications -> Rivals and turn them off until we get the fix sometime next week.
Alright, now you have my full permission to go get the apps and see what you think. Thanks for your patience and your support of the site!
