Fig - Native Discourse client for iOS


Mo.K | 2020-04-18 21:53:03 UTC | #1

Just wanted to introduce a project I have been working on. It is called Fig, and it is native Discourse client for iOS/iPadOS.

Fig is available for free on the App Store.

Screen Shot 2020-04-14 at 8.02.48 AM|690x234, 30%

Most of the functions and features in Fig are free and will be plentiful for most users. Fig+ subscription allows access to private communities, unlimited number of posts and communities, free app icons, and future premium features. It will also help sustain the continuous development of Fig.

Lastly, if you are interested in a while label version of Fig (SDK) for your own (single) community use, let me know. I am trying to gauge what the appetite is for something like this.

Happy Browsing. šŸ˜ƒ

Screenshots

Simulator Screen Shot - iPhone 11 - 2020-04-14 at 08.19.07|231x500
Simulator Screen Shot - iPhone 11 - 2020-04-14 at 08.19.07|231x500
IMG_95C4FD7FB4B2-1|230x500
IMG_95C4FD7FB4B2-1|230x500
Simulator Screen Shot - iPad Pro (11-inch) (2nd generation) - 2020-04-17 at 06.32.26|689x481
Simulator Screen Shot - iPad Pro (11-inch) (2nd generation) - 2020-04-17 at 06.32.26|689x481
Simulator Screen Shot - iPad Pro (11-inch) (2nd generation) - 2020-04-14 at 08.14.56|689x481
Simulator Screen Shot - iPad Pro (11-inch) (2nd generation) - 2020-04-14 at 08.14.56|689x481

Hifihedgehog | 2020-04-17 14:02:36 UTC | #2

How is your freemium offering any different from Discourse's completely free, unlimited app that is already out there, namely Discourse Hub?

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/discourse-hub/id1173672076

I am not saying that your offering is bad, but it looks like you are copying Discourse's completely free iOS app that already "allows access to private communities" and "unlimited number of posts and communities" and charging for those features.


Mo.K | 2020-04-17 14:03:32 UTC | #3

Fig is a native client, and native is tech-lingo to indicate the software is made with the OS's default (aka native) software modal.

To illustrate the difference using an example, think about the difference of using www.facebook.com in your browser vs say the Facebook app in the App Store.


Hifihedgehog | 2020-04-17 14:16:55 UTC | #4

Thanks for taking my scrutiny very well. :) Being native can be a double-edged sword because many communities use specialized plugins in their Discourse forums. For example, if the app is fully native, then things like Retort, Question Answer, Events, Location, and dozens of other plugins might not be accessible in this app unless you specifically coded for them. Don't take me wrong: I can see the value in your app being native but I am naturally quite skeptical when a freemium app like yours comes along when a completely free offering has already been available.


neounix | 2020-04-17 14:45:26 UTC | #5

[quote="Mo.K, post:3, topic:148352"] Fig is a native client, and native is tech-lingo to indicate the software is made with the OSā€™s default (aka native) software modal. [/quote]

Personally speaking, I applaud your work and encourage you to build and develop as you deem appropriate.

Go for it and let's see how it goes!


awesomerobot | 2020-04-17 16:12:19 UTC | #6

I really like the discover tab!


Jacksurd7 | 2020-04-17 17:55:17 UTC | #7

Fig looks really cool! Are there any plans to port it to MacOS? Porting iPad apps VIA Mac Catalyst is incredibly simple. https://developer.apple.com/mac-catalyst/


Stephen | 2020-04-17 19:30:30 UTC | #8

It's a real shame that private communities aren't supported in the free app. Meta might be the only public discourse community that I access with any regularity.

image|345x211
image|345x211

Do you plan to offer a free trial in the future?


Paracelsus | 2020-04-17 18:14:57 UTC | #9

Very nice app!

Things I would like to see:


Jacksurd7 | 2020-04-17 18:24:35 UTC | #10

image|325x20
image|325x20

Does this mean that the app supports the iPadOS mouse support that everybody has been chattering about?


Mo.K | 2020-04-17 23:09:38 UTC | #11

[quote="Jacksurd7, post:7, topic:148352, full:true"] Fig looks really cool! Are there any plans to port it to MacOS? Porting iPad apps VIA Mac Catalyst is incredibly simple. https://developer.apple.com/mac-catalyst/ [/quote]

It is really not that simple and requires non-trivial amount of work. I have a prototype of it but no where near ready for prime-time and we will be targeting more important features at this moment.

[quote="Stephen, post:8, topic:148352, full:true"] Itā€™s a real shame that private communities arenā€™t supported in the free app. Meta might be the only public discourse community that I access with any regularity.

Do you plan to offer a free trial in the future? [/quote]

No. You can try it out on public communities though.

[quote="Jacksurd7, post:10, topic:148352"] Does this mean that the app supports the iPadOS mouse support that everybody has been chattering about? [/quote]

Yep!

[quote="Paracelsus, post:9, topic:148352, full:true"] Very nice app!

Things I would like to see:

Thank you! First 2 items are definitely on our short list. Interesting idea about the third item but we will be trying to complete the must-haves first.


Falco | 2020-04-18 16:46:12 UTC | #12

This is pretty cool, congratulations!

I'd suggest trying to get better support for onebox. The normal one needs better styling and the ones like YouTube are missing.


Jacksurd7 | 2020-04-18 17:29:37 UTC | #13

[quote="Mo.K, post:11, topic:148352"] It is really not that simple and requires non-trivial amount of work. I have a prototype of it but no where near ready for prime-time and we will be targeting more important features at this moment. [/quote] Oh, I guess Apple makes it sound more simpler than it is. [quote="Mo.K, post:11, topic:148352"] No. You can try it out on public communities though. [/quote] May I suggest allowing users who do not pay for Fig+ to at least have the ability to join 1 private community? [quote="Mo.K, post:11, topic:148352"] Yep! [/quote] To extend on what I said earlier, are you referring to the improved version of mouse support (with all of that button snapping stuff) in iPadOS 13.4 and onward?


I have some suggestions.

  1. When previewing a community, it always defaults to top topics. Wouldn't it make more sense for it to default to latest topics so it doesn't confuse new users into thinking the community is completely dead?
  2. The developer category in discovery should be changed to "Developer & Technology" or something like that, largely due to the fact that it appears that technology related communities (some of which are geared towards enthusiasts and consumers and the like) are thrown into the developer category.

Also, is there a way to submit a community to be added to discovery? Are private communities allowed in discovery?


Paracelsus | 2020-04-18 19:34:28 UTC | #14

One more feature I would like to see added:


Mo.K | 2020-04-18 22:01:33 UTC | #15

[quote="Falco, post:12, topic:148352, full:true"] This is pretty cool, congratulations!

Iā€™d suggest trying to get better support for onebox. The normal one needs better styling and the ones like YouTube are missing. [/quote]

Thank you! Definitely that needs to improve as you mentioned.

[quote="Jacksurd7, post:13, topic:148352"] [quote="Mo.K, post:11, topic:148352"] No. You can try it out on public communities though. [/quote] May I suggest allowing users who do not pay for Fig+ to at least have the ability to join 1 private community? [/quote]

Not at this time. It is hard to enforce "1". Communities sync across devices, there is delay. Payment is synced across devices, etc. People login/logout to bypass it, add/delete community, etc.

[quote="Jacksurd7, post:13, topic:148352"] [quote="Mo.K, post:11, topic:148352"] Yep! [/quote]

To extend on what I said earlier, are you referring to the improved version of mouse support (with all of that button snapping stuff) in iPadOS 13.4 and onward? [/quote]

Yes it should, if you have issues let us know via the app's support channel noted in settings.

[quote="Jacksurd7, post:13, topic:148352"] I have some suggestions.

  1. When previewing a community, it always defaults to top topics. Wouldnā€™t it make more sense for it to default to latest topics so it doesnā€™t confuse new users into thinking the community is completely dead?

  2. The developer category in discovery should be changed to ā€œDeveloper & Technologyā€ or something like that, largely due to the fact that it appears that technology related communities (some of which are geared towards enthusiasts and consumers and the like) are thrown into the developer category. [/quote]

  3. Top topics do seem more attractive to new users who are browsing around. The issue you mentioned was brought up to me and I think the middle ground is probably the Top filter but also select the "Last month" filter as well.

  4. Fair. Categorizing communities is hard and murky. :smile:

[quote="Jacksurd7, post:13, topic:148352"] Also, is there a way to submit a community to be added to discovery? Are private communities allowed in discovery? [/quote]

Yes, contact us in the support email noted in the Fig app's Settings. Private communities do not show up yet but will appear soon in search results later this week hopefully.

[quote="Paracelsus, post:14, topic:148352, full:true"] One more feature I would like to see added:

Definitely, that is on the todo list and is ranked high up.

For any additional requests, support, or issues, feel free to reach us via the app in the "Settings" section.


Jacksurd7 | 2020-04-19 01:18:26 UTC | #16

I noticed that the buttons to interact with a post (like, share, etc) are sometimes squashed a bit. Oh, and the way you check to see who liked a post feels slightly inconvenient and slightly lackluster. It isn't half bad though.

Also, how do you remove a community from your communities list?


Mo.K | 2020-04-19 01:42:53 UTC | #17

To quickly see who liked a post, tap and hold the like image or like/heart number label for a second and a window will appear showing you who liked a post.

To delete a community, go to the list view showing all your communities and swipe from right to left on that community and confirm deletion.

Regarding the UI bug with squashed buttons, send me a screenshot to our support email or post it to our community and will look in to it.


Stephen | 2020-04-19 07:50:50 UTC | #18

[quote="Mo.K, post:15, topic:148352"] Not at this time. It is hard to enforce ā€œ1ā€. Communities sync across devices, there is delay. Payment is synced across devices, etc. People login/logout to bypass it, add/delete community, etc. [/quote]

Maybe take a look at introductory offers on the apple developer site. Reasonably straightforward to implement and impossible to bypass without creating a new Apple ID.


Jacksurd7 | 2020-04-19 13:36:01 UTC | #19

[quote="Mo.K, post:17, topic:148352"] To quickly see who liked a post, tap and hold the like image or like/heart number label for a second and a window will appear showing you who liked a post. [/quote] It feels like there is wasted space. If there is a very large amount of likes on a post, the list view becomes inconvenient (lots of scrolling). You could probably fit a lot more people on a line. image|377x500 [quote="Mo.K, post:17, topic:148352"] To delete a community, go to the list view showing all your communities and swipe from right to left on that community and confirm deletion. [/quote] I think a few features might be a bit hard to find or figure out for new users. Have you considered making a tutorial or something like that? [quote="Mo.K, post:17, topic:148352"] Regarding the UI bug with squashed buttons, send me a screenshot to our support email or post it to our community and will look in to it. [/quote] It doesn't just apply to the like button. image|578x413, 75%


joa | 2020-04-19 13:42:31 UTC | #20

This is great, thank you so much! I wanted to have a native app since I discovered Discourse and have used the DiscourseHub so far for lack of a better alternative.

I donā€™t care if it doesnā€™t support all the custom extensions. Iā€™ll simply use it for the communities where it does work and will fall back to the Web/Discourse Hub for the others, if necessary.

Since reading your post an hour ago, Iā€™ve already downloaded Fig (and use it to write this post), added all my communities to it, discovered three more communities that are interesting to me via the Discover tab and bought the yearly subscription. And Iā€™d have done so even if I didnā€™t have a private community, simply as a thank you for developing this app. Itā€™s just so much better than Discourse Hub and really feels like a modern reinterpretation of Discourse for iOS and a great iOS citizen.

Iā€™m looking forward for all the things you are still working on and for discovering many more niceties while using it.

Iā€™ll also check out the Fig Discourse community to see how I can help out in developing this app further.


Jacksurd7 | 2020-04-19 14:54:29 UTC | #21

[quote="joa, post:20, topic:148352"] Itā€™s just so much better than Discourse Hub and really feels like a modern reinterpretation of Discourse for iOS and a great iOS citizen. [/quote] To extend on what you've said, Fig feels like the Apollo (for Reddit) of Discourse. [details="Context"] https://apolloapp.io [/details]


stevemorin | 2020-04-19 22:00:20 UTC | #22

I would be interested in embeding this in my own app. Reach out to me at steve at stevemorin.com


Jacksurd7 | 2020-04-20 00:27:40 UTC | #23

I noticed that drop-down menus appear to be invisible in Fig. [details="I am talking about drop-down menus like this."] They appear to be invisible in the Fig app. [/details]


jord8on | 2020-05-01 07:27:12 UTC | #24

šŸ™‹ā€ā™‚ļø

Def interested in white label!!


applebee1558 | 2020-05-14 19:30:34 UTC | #25

Very nice app. I wonder how did you get the email addresses to send an email about your application? I just got an email from you today about this app and an auto-link that adds my forum automatically to the app when users download it using it.


jonwgeorge | 2020-05-18 14:17:52 UTC | #26

[quote="applebee1558, post:25, topic:148352"] I wonder how did you get the email addresses to send an email about your application? [/quote]

Cool app but yeah the unsolicited email isn't cool. In my case they just sent it to a catch-all email. So in other words they guessed. I get all of those "guessed" emails. That said...

I do really like how it looks and how it operates. My only concerns would be how it handles plugins. We don't use a lot, but we have a few that I consider core to our forum.


Mo.K | 2020-05-18 14:56:09 UTC | #27

[quote="jonwgeorge, post:26, topic:148352"] Cool app but yeah the unsolicited email isnā€™t cool. In my case they just sent it to a catch-all email. So in other words they guessed. I get all of those ā€œguessedā€ emails. That saidā€¦

I do really like how it looks and how it operates. My only concerns would be how it handles plugins. We donā€™t use a lot, but we have a few that I consider core to our forum. [/quote]

Thank you! Popular plugin support is being added. But I get that Fig May not work for all communities.

Communities contact email is in the About page in the Contact section.


jonwgeorge | 2020-05-18 15:18:47 UTC | #28

[quote="Mo.K, post:27, topic:148352"] Communities contact email is in the About page in the Contact section [/quote]

In my case you would have had to dig through the FAQ or you guessed :face_with_monocle:


applebee1558 | 2020-05-21 07:49:26 UTC | #29

Ah I see, yeah itā€™s that email I put there.


jabeler | 2020-05-27 22:14:38 UTC | #32

This app looks nice, though it has issues with Onebox previews.

Image Image


osioke | 2020-05-27 13:12:02 UTC | #34

[quote="awesomerobot, post:6, topic:148352, full:true"] I really like the discover tab! [/quote]

I also like the discover tab, but how are you getting the communities listed there? I see my own community listed there and I do not want it listed anywhere on the internet without me opting in.

Also, how can I (or others) remove their community from being listed there @Mo.K?


Mo.K | 2020-05-27 14:44:19 UTC | #35

PM me here or if you have the app still you can email me via the support email listed in setting.


osioke | 2020-05-27 14:46:40 UTC | #36

Cool, will do. How are you getting the communities listed there though?


jtbayly | 2020-07-25 16:59:37 UTC | #42

How does Fig provide push notifications from sites hosted on Digital Ocean, for example? I thought you would need something like a plug-in added to the site in order to do push notifications.


Jacksurd7 | 2020-07-28 14:12:33 UTC | #43

[quote="Mo.K, post:11, topic:148352"] I have a prototype of it [/quote] Made using Catalyst?


Alexander | 2020-08-08 18:34:30 UTC | #44

[quote="Mo.K, post:1, topic:148352"] IMG_95C4FD7FB4B2-1|230x500

IMG_95C4FD7FB4B2-11125Ɨ2436 1.45 MB [/quote]

Interesting

Do you use a web viewer or render the content of a topic in some other way? :thinking:

Sorry if I sound ignorant, I only work with Android


lexxi | 2020-09-02 14:19:13 UTC | #45

thanks upon thanks upon thanks for this potion šŸ™ŒšŸ½ will you let me know the best way to contact the fig team for support?

the fig app wonā€™t seem to allow me to ā€œloginā€ to communities nor to see the ā€œaboutā€ section or any section where i would find a contact for fig to get support with my issue.

i have screenshots and more details about all iā€™ve tried so far with the login. and without the option to login, i do not seem able to reply to communities through the app, so i am coming to you now from a browser.


jtbayly | 2020-09-02 14:01:17 UTC | #46

https://forums.fighq.io

I ran into some trouble initially adding communities, but force-quitting the app a few times sorted it, and since then I've not had any major problems. Also note that fully private communities are only supported if you pay.


lexxi | 2020-09-02 15:57:12 UTC | #47

oh, hi, @jtbayly. thanks for your rec that led me here and now for your help again :upside_down_face: i had already paid for the access to private communities. you were right to force quit and reboot (of course ha). all is working well now. yayay. so thankful.


tiab | 2020-09-06 15:05:03 UTC | #48

Itā€™s not clear how many posts someone can make before they have to pay for the app.


jtbayly | 2020-09-06 16:38:41 UTC | #49

Itā€™s a free app, unless you want to use it for a completely private community.


tiab | 2020-09-10 03:46:59 UTC | #50

Thanks! It just wasnā€™t clear because in the paid version it says ā€œunlimited postsā€ or something like that, which implied the free one was limited.


Naseimsand | 2020-09-11 18:33:14 UTC | #51

Hello, first I want to say that I love your APP.

Secound, when I am on the Topics Tab and I press the Topics Tab again the App just closes. This happens only in Portrait Mode on an Ipad Pro with the iOS 14.8 Beta. So it could be a Beta Problem but I think it might be interesting for you to know.

And one Request that was the reason I was looking for an app for reading the Discourse Forums. I am searching for a way to see all my tracked topics, not just the unread ones. I cannot find a way to do this.

Thanks for your great work.


jtbayly | 2020-09-11 18:45:55 UTC | #52

You probably want to post this in the Fig app developer's forum.


Naseimsand | 2020-09-11 18:54:44 UTC | #53

Ah... thanks for the hint :slight_smile:


trader | 2020-11-12 01:58:02 UTC | #54

How do we get the fig app to play "domain protected" Vimeo videos that are native to the discourse forum? Meaning you can play them in a browser in the forum, but when you go to fig you can't? Thanks


debryc | 2020-11-12 02:15:22 UTC | #55

Thanks for this! One problem that I'm experiencing is when I go to Bookmarks, they are empty. The personal messages I've bookmarked don't show up. See comparisons below.

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MarcP | 2020-11-14 02:41:00 UTC | #56

Hmm, it seems Google analytics does not work for users using this app. Is there a way to get this working for the app?


justin | 2021-01-04 22:06:32 UTC | #82


justin | 2021-01-18 14:00:04 UTC | #85

This topic was automatically opened after 13 days.


justin | 2021-01-19 19:19:38 UTC | #91

This discussion has not been civil and has remained highly critical and attacking of the developer. This kind of discussion will not be tolerated here. All infringing discussion and its related posts have been removed.


anon73664359 | 2021-10-09 00:20:57 UTC | #92

Is there a development timeline for this (really cool) application? :grin:

I noticed how the last update to the application was in July 2020.


Decorbuz | 2021-11-23 19:14:10 UTC | #94

I tried getting in contact through the developer's forum, but it appears as though he put it in "read-only" mode when this reply was created. Around the time of that reply's submission, it had been nearly two months since somebody had posted something.

From there, I tried to get in contact VIA the official email addresses, but I never received a response.

Does the developer read this topic? I love his application, but there's a bug that I desperately need help with.

Thanks in advance! :heart:


EDIT...

Just as an update, I tried contacting the official "Fig" Twitter account: https://twitter.com/fighq

I haven't received a response yet. I'm going to try contacting the developer's Twitter account too: https://twitter.com/mkurabi

Wish me luck!


AriHoresh | 2022-06-04 18:43:23 UTC | #95

I was wondering if it is possible to get a license to have my Discourse community on the app store as a standalone app? I believe many people would be interested in that.


merefield | 2022-06-04 20:29:13 UTC | #96

You donā€™t need a license. There are several communities that have standalone apps on the AppStore


AriHoresh | 2022-06-04 20:46:57 UTC | #97

May I know how is it possible to create a standalone app connected to my discourse community?


merefield | 2022-06-04 20:48:15 UTC | #98

https://meta.discourse.org/t/whitelisted-discourse-app-with-push-notifications-via-onesignal/58247?u=merefield


Decorbuz | 2022-06-06 02:22:32 UTC | #99

Yes, there are ways to do it for free. Fig probably isn't what you're looking for though. https://meta.discourse.org/t/lexicon-a-customizable-native-mobile-app-for-your-discourse-site/201085 https://meta.discourse.org/t/we-built-native-ios-and-android-apps-for-discourse-forums/223571