March 4, 2011
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Xanga Mobile - Beta 0.2 - Open to Everyone!
We just made the Xanga Mobile Beta open to everyone!
To test it out, just visit the following URL on your mobile phone (you can also try it in safari, chrome or firefox on your pc or mac):
For a quick overview of the initial launch (on Feb 23), check out the initial launch post.
Our goal in this "Beta 0.x" phase is to get all the initial specs working well on as many mobile devices as possible. Then we'll move onto "Beta 1.x" where we'll start adding more features (see below)
Here's what we've updated/fixed since that initial launch of Beta 0.x:
- Added view counts on the comment pages for each post
- Made the left/right touch-swipe on comments work more smoothly (FYI: as in many apps, this motion will trigger an edit or delete button on comments for which you have edit/delete control - you can also click into any individual comment to see this button)
- Fixed an issue preventing vertical touch-scrolling over long comments
- Fixed an issue causing most flash videos to appear on top of the top and bottom toolbars (this issue may still happen from time to time, but we got most of the flash under control)
- Fixed a UI issue with the inbox filter menu in landscape mode
- Fixed a few minor bugs with the weblog editor
- Added a "Hint" for iphone/ipad users to explain how to scroll inside a text area (when editing long comments or weblog entries) - turns out the trick is to scroll with two fingers instead of one (who knew?!)
Here are some known issues remaining to be fixed in Beta 0.x (please leave a comment if you spot any other issues!):
- If you initiate a vertical touch-scroll when your finger is on an image or flash object, the top and bottom toolbars lose their position
- View counts are not incrementing correctly when you visit someone's post inside of Xanga Mobile
- Timestamps sometimes fall out of sync (if your phone's time conflicts with the time on the Xanga Mobile servers), causing all the timestamps in your inbox to appear as, "a couple seconds ago"
Here's what we're planning to add for Beta 1.x:
- Ability to add photos - Note: this one may require us to convert this web-based version of Xanga Mobile into an app first, which we are planning to do anyway...
- Incorporating more updates into the inbox (e.g. pulse updates, pulse comments, etc.)
- Ability to trigger a feed update by touch-dragging down (inbox) or up (comments) on the screen (FYI - the inbox updates itself periodically at the moment, but this feature will let you trigger an update whenever you want without having to refresh the entire page)
- Ability to "Follow" (subscribe or friend) or "Unfollow" people inside the mobile interface
- Ability to click and see "all" updates (all public weblog entries, for starters) from a specific user (right now the interface is feed-based, so you see the entries that pop into your feed, but you can't currently click to see more entries by a specific user)
- [Potentially] localization of the interface for non-english speakers (for at least one or two additional languages, e.g. chinese)
A quick word about mobile browser support:
Xanga Mobile is built on the relatively new, but quickly evolving jQuery Mobile platform. We chose it because it already supports a good number of the major mobile operating systems (iOS, Android, and the newer versions of Blackberry OS and Windows Mobile) and because jQuery has an active group of developers (i.e. you can expect support for additional mobile operating systems over time). You can find the full list of current mobile browser support here:
Mobile Browser Support for jQuery Mobile
Please bear in mind that Xanga Mobile is still in beta - still very much in the testing phase - so please try it out and help us test it!
Thanks!
Comments (95)
would this work on blackberry?
1st!!!
i got beat to it
@prettykay04 - it should work on the newer blackberry operating systems (and it may get support for older versions over time)... check out this link: Mobile Browser Support for jQuery Mobile
If I ever get a good phone instead of the free ones they give with upgrades,this will be nice.
@Inspectorgrampy5 - haha, well you can still check it out on your computer if you like...
i think my blackberry is still on old server. i can't even load the page...!
Thank you Xanga team!
Cool
I am on it now. I can actually go on this one unlike the first version. In other words, good job.
Nice!
Wonderful! Great updates and soon to be updates. Look forward to downloading an official app.
I'm new to Smart Phone technology. I downloaded the first version on my phone. Will it automatically update to the newer version, or do I need to uninstall and reinstall it?
@saintvi - it'll automatically update for you at this point (you may need to refresh the interface a couple times to see the absolute latest stuff - just using it will cause it to refresh itself eventually, though).
We'll let you know if it gets to a stage where you have to download new updates yourself - or your app store of choice will let you know (with the way we've built things, though, this requirement should be rare)
great, just when I got rid of my blackberry
if only i had a phone.. can you give one away free?? ^,^
i have a blackberry and when i go to it, all it does it go white..
I'll test it out now..and then when I get my replacement vibrant..I'll use it =D
I'm running a bb bold 9650 OS 6, and it works fine. fast, smooth, though on my homescreen my username gets cut off.
some things that'd be nice to have: a hover popup that tells you what the buttons mean as you're navigating; if there's no perpetual sign-in even when the browser is closed, then that'd be good too.
otherwise, good job!
@whotakethmycoke - Awesome thanks! What did you mean by "perpetual sign in"?
This isn't a mobile issue, but xanga stopped sending me e-mail notifications for when I get comments and replies to comments. They're not going to junk mail...they're just not coming. This has been going on for a while, and it would be awesome if we could somehow get it fixed. Thanks for all your hard work.
Yes, it's a perfect idea to bring Xanga going to anywhere when I have free_time !!! Thanks a lot Xanga Team.
awwwwwwwwwwwwww yeahhhhhhhhhhhh. Good to see my miss xangamerica ideas finally getting implemented.
I'm teasing, you guys are teh awesomez!
I can't wait til the app comes out!!
Is there going to be a XAnga iphone or android app
@deltadom - Yes and yes - we're working out the specs with this web- based version first because it's much faster to roll updates
This sooooo awesome!!! I can't wait 'til you get an app for iPhone/iTouch and/or Droid! Hey, now they can change that one Idea I saw about this a long time ago to "launched"! This is again, awesomeee!! Thanks Xanga!
Ok, so when it was avaliable to premium users only, it worked on my phone (a Sony Ericsson Xperia, Droid) but I couldn't use it cause I don't have premium. The new version seems to be just coming up as a blank page, I've reloaded it a few times. However it seems to work just fine on my iPod Touch. Still love it.
love it!
great job!
YAY!!!!
Its about time! Lol.
I love this site &I can only get on it on my phone. Lol
Thankkkkk youuuuu(: <3
great job on this!
the only things that are weird from my end of things is that it sometimes only gives 1 eprop instead of the default 2.
YES! I AM THRILLED!
It won't work on a Samsung Blackjack, and the old mobile version actually worked on mine.. grrr.
why don't make apps for Iphone or Android OS separately ?
maaaaaan it's not working on my blackberry =[
yea, yea, yea! just heard. going to go play.
@l0v3_aNd_wAr - me neither... i think it's something with javascript. If I disable javascript, the logon page finally loads but is not functional.
Loaded in firefox on laptop as well as Android browser in my Cruz eReader.
on Blackberry 8520, I have OS 5 with native browser running, internet through wi-fi, which jQuery says should work. I get a blank page... the log in stuff comes up if I disable javascript, but of course the page is not functional.
i have no idea why this took so long when everyone has smart phones now, but willing to give it a try!
awesome
FINALLY! I have been waiting for this for ages! Now I can finally blog on the go! :3
This is really coo! Now, all you need is an app for the iphone
FINALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLYYYYYYYYYYYYYY. This may save Xanga.
Wish there was a rich text! But Thanks<3
@deltadom - I agree We need a Xanga app for Iphone!!!!!!!
I talked to the police when Summer Rae told me to kill myself, and they said that she's completely within her freedom of speech rights by stating her "opinion" by calling me a twat and a cunt, and I never told anyone to go kill THEMSELVES OR called them any such name so I'm completely within MY rights. I'm not a "troll" if I have and express a different opinion than what's the norm or what's popular. I'm obviously not going to stop until xanga offers me a sufficient explanation. Someone tells me to kill myself and MY account gets shut down?
This is awesome guys, I've slacked off over the years because now that I'm married with three children, I don't have time to get on my computer to post my thoughts of the day. Having a mobile app (or site) will help out greatly. I've tried to use the regular site through my Android FF but the weblog WYSIWYG isn't supported, so I can't wait to try this out!!
@l0v3_aNd_wAr - Same issue here.
I don't know where to report bugs but I can't get it to load on my iPod Touch at all. If it's suppose to work on there at all.
I've been trying xanga mobile for about a week now and I notice it's extremely slow to load... sometimes taking 5-10 minutes. Other applications and internet sites load very quickly comparatively.
I look forward to future updates! You guys rock!
Still not working for me.
When will picture/video uploads be available? And will there be an app?
just tried the new m.Xanga Beta........ LOVED IT.
i would love to see an android app too!!!
It is SUPER! LOVE XANGA!
Failed to sign in ~ it tooks vey long time but finally got failed. it is simply to brows http:m.xanga.com?
Awesome, maybe yall can make an app next?
have a iphone app?
nice : )
FINALLY! YAY!
works on my Android, works on my iPod, doesn't work on my KIN. (yeah, I know but it's a nice little phone)
doesn't work on my HTC hero, any plans for an android app?
yey!!!
Hi, the mobile site works I guess (what is taking so long for pictures features). What is the ETR on an Android app for Xanga? I've been a premium paying customer for years. I would like a little more functionality out of this site please.
I have tried to login on two separate occasions and it keeps telling me I have an incorrect name and password combination.
The only issue that I have is that when I turn my phone and wanna type in landscape. The browser moves the screen to the bottom of the page and I can't see what I'm typing. Please fix! Thanks!!
I've been hoping and hoping that i will be able to get Xanga on my blackberry but I can't get mobile of any kind on it. I was wondering if this going to be available to blackberries too? I can only go to xanga through the main page but it restricts a lot. Thanks Xanga team!
i like it...
I was just saying a few days ago we needed mobile for xanga. I'm so happy about this. Thanks xanga team!
I have a windows phone, and it won't work :/ My phone uses internet explorer so when I go to the site it tells me the browser isn't supported and to try using firefox, chrome, or safari.
Dun be cheap, get a real mobile app out. This webapp shit is not going to help you gain followers. Think for a moment, who is going to enter your URL to surf the site? If you really want to get more people reading those blogs, shouldn't the reading and posting be made easier with a one click app?
Ooooh nice. I look forward to using it.
i first try it and it's sucks. i'd rather view the desktop version. =.="
other mobile sites don't make you sign in every time you close and re-open a browser. I don't use this much because i have to sign in every time.
longing for tailor made android app ~
I WANT IPHONE APPS!!!!
if you realise how many users xanga are losing every day becoz it jus wont work on mobile devices, u would work hard to upgrade mobile website or really write an apps for phones.
It would be BRILLIANT if you can come up with an APP.
I STILL CAN'T ACCESS IT ON MY IPHONE.
I'm giving up. It's been months and months and yet I still can't access at all.
Does this works on HTC Inspire 4g:)
Wld dis work on HTC Inspire 4g
hopefully the iphone app will come out soon.
just try the website and i don't understand how to update a post?
app please? (:
i can't wait to use it!!
wont load on mine.
My husband said make an app for the tablets!
I would be flattened if all websites gave articles like that.
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I need more articles and blogs please post soon.
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