When will we have an AppleVis app?

By Misty Dawn, 6 August, 2014

Forum
Other Apple Chat

As I understand it, many have been clamoring for an AppleVis app for some time now. That would be very nice. Not sure what the big hold-up is. So, I wonder, when, if ever, will we have an AppleVis app?

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Comments

By Michael Hansen on Monday, August 25, 2014 - 15:57

Member of the AppleVis Editorial Team

Hello Misty,

Unfortunately, developing an AppleVis app is simply not possible at this time.

For an AppleVis app to be truly successful, it would need to incorporate all of the core functionality of the main website. As we are a website that is funded entirely by generous donations, the cost of developing such an app would be, for all intents and purposes, prohibitive. We once did some cost-evaluation and found that an initial version of the AppleVis app would cost over $10,000...and that would just be for a 1.0 release, no updates included.

Maintaining an AppleVis app would also be very time-intensive, both for the app developer and for the person ensuring that the website and the app work seamlessly together.

So, all that to say this: we are a small team of volunteers, all with lives outside of AppleVis. We would love to have an AppleVis app, but our resources are limited. So, unless some miracle donor comes along to fund the app, the updates, and the extensive amount of integration support between the website and the app, an AppleVis app is simply not possible.

By David Goodwin on Monday, August 25, 2014 - 15:57

Misty,

The ‘big hold-up’ is that developing an app that integrated with the site and offered similar functionality would cost at least $10,000 and possibly as much as $50,000. There would then be an ongoing cost of about $10,000 per year to maintain the app. So, as we receive no financial funding, that’s about as big a hold-up as you’re likely to see … one which makes it extremely unlikely that there will ever be an AppleVis app.

You can read more about this in this previous thread: http://www.applevis.com/forum/general-chat/applevis-app-iphone

By AnonyMouse on Monday, August 25, 2014 - 15:57

Member of the AppleVis Editorial Team

Hello Misty,

As like you. We would love to have an AppleVis app for the iOS devices. It isn't that we don't want one but merely it is complicated.

We have investigated in what it would take to make an AppleVis app. There were several major hurdles in being able to go in the direction that would make us happy about the app we would want to make.

The first issue we came across is the cost. The second is the matter how this site is designed and how it would be able to do what we want with the app.

Because of the complexity of the site of what we would want to have in the AppleVis app. The cost was staggering. Believe it or not. It would take a 5 figure digit to pay for something that we would be happy with. With such a high cost. We simply can't afford in doing this. None of us paid infidel on the team. We are all doing this as a volunteer of own time. We make zero money from this site. On top of that. That figure would only to get the app off of the ground. To keep it maintained as the site changes or that iOS makes changes. We would have to pay more money to cover that expenses.

I don't mean to rain on the parade but at this time. We can say that we do not have any plans any time soon that an AppleVis app would be a consideration. However, if at some time if something changes and we found the pot at the end of the rainbow. That may change things. I wish I could say never say never but for now it will be duel tucked away back in the corner until further time.

Thanks for asking!

By steven carey on Wednesday, November 25, 2015 - 15:57

Dear all,
I have just been reading the comments made about the applevis channel on zello and have a related question. Does anyone know why there is not an app that we can use on our iDevices to access the applevis web site? I am not aware that one currently exists but would it not be a good idea considering that this brilliant site is all about apps for blind and partially sighted people and using iDevices?
I have no idea of how to make an app or the process of moving an internet based web site on to an app but it would certainly be an advantage for me to access applevis on the move without going to and playing with the internet on my iPhone. Like me, I wonder if anyone would be willing to pay a small fee for an applevis app? It might even bring in a small income stream to help run the site!

Thank you,

Steve.

By alex wallis on Wednesday, November 25, 2015 - 15:57

this question has been asked over an over again, the answer is because app development takes lots of time, and costs lots of money applevis is free and so the question is how or who would pay for it? I suppose one answer could be some kind of grants or maybe a kick starter campaign, but seriously I doubt we would attract enough donations to even consider paying for creation of an app given that such an app would mean ongoing costs for keeping it updated, and of course apple developers have to pay a yearly subscription to keep apps in the store, I think being brutily realistic its unlikely to even get of the ground and if it does its going to be hard if not impossible to maintain it given the relatively speaking small number of users who use this site.

By AppleVis on Wednesday, November 25, 2015 - 15:57

Member of the AppleVis Editorial Team

Steve,

As you will see from our previous comments on this thread, it is extremely unlikely that there will ever be an AppleVis app.

Yes, some apps are quick, easy and cheap to create. However, this would not be the case for creating an AppleVis app which offered similar functionality to the web site and allowed the two to work in tandem. The app itself would be a serious challenge and it would also require major rewriting of the website.

That means serious money … probably now close to $50000 to get things up and running, and at least $10000 each year for support and continued development.

As we currently receive no external funding or financial support, this has to remain something that we would all like to see, but is never likely to become a reality.

By ming on Friday, March 25, 2016 - 15:57

hi all! and the this website's team
I think it is a good topic to descuss since the applevis site is a few years now.

to let us can brows the contents using IPhone?
and we also can get nitification as well.

By AppleVis on Friday, March 25, 2016 - 15:57

Member of the AppleVis Editorial Team

Hello Ming,

As you can see from the above discussion this is something that we know people would love and that we would also love to be able to offer.

However, the harsh reality is that we are never likely to be in a position to make this possible.

To develop an app that would suit our needs and work seamlessly with the website, the figures mentioned above are still realistic ($50,000 for the initial app development and $10,000 a year for ongoing support and development).

As we currently receive no external funding or financial support, something extremely significant would have to change for us to be in a position to cover those kind of costs.

We know that this is not the answer that you, or others, want. However, there is no point in building any false expectations in regard to what we are able to deliver.