Two-man startup AppLoop has added to its suite of self-service tools for iPhone developers by launching App Generator, which automatically turns any blog with an RSS feed into a native iPhone app modeled after that of the The New York Times.
To create an app, all you have to do is answer a series of questions for the App Generator’s setup wizard. These include your blog’s address, name, icon and logo, as well as how much you’d like to charge for your application (if anything) and what color scheme you’d like to use. Once you finish the form (and verify that you are indeed the owner of the domain in question), AppLoop will submit your application to Apple for approval and, once approved, you can start promoting it to your readers.
The first version of these self-service apps are fairly basic. You can browse a list of the most recent posts, save your favorite posts, and share posts with friends via email, Facebook or Twitter. Blog content is also cached so you can read it when finding yourself in cellular dead zones.
AppLoop plans to add several advanced features in the future, including categories for multiple-feeds, comments and ratings, archive search, and even location-awareness so you can see what other people in your area are reading and saving. They might even roll out support for media RSS so you can display a photo gallery like The New York Times’. With the impending arrival of the T-Mobile G1, AppLoop will soon let you create apps for both the iPhone and Android platforms at the same time.
We’ve submitted an application for TechCrunch using AppLoop and will announce its availability once approved.
iPhone Application Generator Demo from AppLoop on Vimeo.
Sweet, I was hoping that Tech Crunch would come out with its own Iphone App, however this will work for now.
This will be a classic example of Love at First Sight for thousands os self absorbed Bloggers……
Wonder who will acquire this Start up?
So what is in it for apploop? What good will it do them? Will they control the app? Advertising, etc?
Later on they will seek to integrate their ad platform so they can do a rev split with publishers
Wow, i really need something like that. I would even pay for the service. Hope to get an invite soon.
I like the concept, my concern is that you’ll flood the market with alot of crappy rss readers! Why do you have to create a ‘branded’ RSS Reader?
This reminds me of the days when people just create ‘branded’ toolbars. I’m waiting for someone to tell me that the apploop RSS reader is spyware.
Way to go guys! Bring it down a notch so that EVERYONE can flood the AppStore with more CRAP!
The purpose of having access restricted is just that. We’re not going to submit 500 twitter feeds as apps. That makes no sense.
Most consumers, especially when you get out of the tech circle, have absolutely NO idea what RSS even is.. Let alone what subscribing is.
RSS readers, google reader in particular, are great. However, sites like TechCrunch have absolutely zero incentive to promote a generic reader.
Many people (like my mother) don’t understand what an RSS reader is. For these people its easy and convenient to hit one button to install and view the feed. Perhaps the process of adding feeds to your reader could be simplified.
There is tremendous value in RSS, I am not questioning that.
But what i don’t understand is WHY? Why can’t I just have my RSS Reader and subscribe to my favorite Sites?
Why do I have to install ANOTHER branded RSS Reader? That is my point. You guys are on the right track, however, making a Branded RSS Reader, is just ridiculous.
So for every blog I read, lets make a APPloop iphone application. So i’ll have alot of garbage applications!
Options that I have currently
1. An RSS Reader, that I subscribe to multiple blogs!
-azRSS NewsReader
-Free RSS Reader
-The Black RSS Reader
2. Make a ‘BookMark’, (new concept, make bookmarks of your favorite sites) and go to them!
I mean don’t you guys’ get it? Aside from making a BRANDED RSS Reader, you guys’ aren’t adding any value!
Marketing People Rejoice! I hope Apple realizes that AppLoop is just creating the same application and re-branding it.
lets see what happens
Agree with WiseOne. As if there wasn’t enough crap in the AppStore already, it’s now going to get flooded with lots of branded RSS readers. I think this is a stupid idea, and will stick to using Google Reader / ByLine.
The average netizen spends over 80% of their time on 1.5 sites. They won’t down load the reader for every site. That said, a market flooded with identical products won’t last long on the Appstore. Apploop needs to find a better way. Making the process as easy and free as a couple clicks erases value by definition.
At minimum there is probably a more viable portal strategy that changes the skin on the app on the fly. A person should be able to look up their participating blog within the app. This strengthens Apploop as a brand and gives bloggers what they want. Making every blog (content) an app proper is a non starter.
Apple should block any app coming from AppLoop.
Wise one is correct. Not only will this FLOOD Apple’s developer queue and directory, it also makes no sense. People may not know what and rss feed or reader is, but they know what the web browser is. So why in the world would anyone want download and clog up their phone with apps rather than using the browser to get to the site to read it.
It sounds like a marketing gimmick from amateurs.
This is a great idea.
Agreed, this is definitely not geared at the RSS crowd. Why would I add stand alone icons for all the blogs/sites that are in my Google Reader? That’s crazy. But if you only read one site (NYTimes, Perez Hilton, The Onion etc) everyday, then this makes sense.
ill definitely be emailing apple for their thoughts on this. I’m curious know, as to why they would like to publish the same Crap for Different Brands!
Good idea by the developers.
Valid for value-driven blogs like TechCrunch.
Bad idea due to the loads of crap thats going to come through.
Thanks for clogging up the review process for the rest of us!
This is a godsend to both blogs and readers alike. No more Safari quitting on me as I read Round 3 of Michael Arrington vs. the prickly prince of Microsoft.
Duh. It’s just an RSS reader. Hello.
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This is a stupid thing to do.
Apple will start getting an influx of app submissions for single site blog readers; which in turn would turn the app store into a mess of those blogs. I can see apple rejecting this application from their store, all for the better.
These functionalities are better left to RSS readers in my opinion.
I like the novel concept, finally someone is thinking out of the box, way to go app loop.
Though would like to see the app scaled up to accomodate other feeds.
will be following the developments closely.
But will the App crash as often as the NY Times application?
I am sure they will put a priority on the TechCrunch request. My blog with 0-1000 subscribers might be a while..
Congrats on the launch Eric – just finished watching the demo and it looks awesome.
If you like Apploop (and especially for those that don’t), try Koollage – Way too kool, easy and powerful – not only can you convert any feed or blog into a neat Koollage pod for the iphone, you get the same content on facebook, myspace, wherever.. do it for one blog/feed or 10 of your favorites.
Check out the techcrunch koollage pod on your iphone – http://www.kool...plog/TechCrunch
Finally! Hope to get my iPhone app up soon.
How dot these guys compare to http://mofuse.com
Mofuse doesnt make a *native* app, just one that displays well in the iPhone’s safari browser
OK. So when will your site open up again to make native apps? It says there is a waiting list.
I want a rTunez native app to compete with iTunes
Again, Congrats Eric! As many people have said for Tech guys/gals, this really isn’t anything revolutionary. However, I think we can all be sure of the fact that a large portion of the 10 Million iPhone owners out there don’t use RSS or even know what it is. So for them being able to use a nice app to keep up with news is awesome. This idea is pure gold in my opinion.
Now with regards to what Eric mentioned in the video, I’m really looking forward to the 3rd party plugins… You can bet I’ll be on that boat. Can you say “Disqus”?
Speaking of which why does TC use this wierd archaic commenting system?
This guy totally knows what he is talking about.
So does this guy. This is called Recursive Recognition (TM).
Excellent idea…just another in a long list.
this is good app. will try it..
http://makeextr...e.blogspot.com/
Another interesting product that auto generates iphone websites is VenueM http://venuem.com they even support podcasts and flickr feeds.
What a friggin yawn. It’s amazing what passes for an ‘application’ these days.
I use Koollage to do much of the same and more. I have all my blogs converted and ready to read on the iphone – easy to use interface and I can navigate through posts quickly. I can also convert new blogs and create my own pods from the iphone as well.
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Does anybody know of a similar service for the blackberry?
I think there is great potential for this app. There clearly is value in letting people get content the way they want. Some of you may think its ridiculous and that this is just another branded RSS reader, but so what? If a person wants to get their favorite blog (or Twitter feed, or any RSS feed about whatever topic they want) as an iPhone app why not give it to them? I think most popular bloggers should implement this to give people the choice of how they want to receive content. I DON’T think all these blog apps should go in the Apple Store though, but people should have a way to get them. And most bloggers aren’t going to charge people for this anyway…i don’t think people would pay, but I guess I could be wrong. Overall, AppLoop is on to something, I think.
This is a fabulous idea! I’d like to see more developers do things like this, so that others that arent as technically savy can post application ideas!
What a good app. will try it..
http://www.thws.cn
I didn’t know this, this is awesome! I’m going to go look for it now. Will def try it. Come by & check out my reviews on iphone apps. Let me know what you think.
http://thejoere...ory/technology/
Cool idea.
But what about the increasing comments? Will it be updated while the app is generated again?
And now they’re out of business. To the deadpool!
“Success is going from failure to failure without a loss of enthusiasm.” – Winston Churchill
I’ve made some good money with my iPhone apps and games. And I’d love to share the ideas with anyone.
Sam Shaw
how the hell did they go out of business so fast?
Neat information! will definitely come back again…