[deschutes]

I can actually see value in this. For those that want to promote their forum you will have a branded app in the app store. It also allows you to offer this functionality to your users for free. Much of the benefit will depend on what the goals, desire and marketing aspirations of a forum are. For me, I see value in the branding of a mobile app as a differentiator and a benefit to the users of my forum in that they don't have to buy an app or use a free one with inferior features. I currently use Tapatalk as well, but it is more of a means to an end than something I am super excited about. It is definitely better on the IOS side than Android.

As for the VB mobile product, the part that makes me a little nervous is that the publishing and control of the app is out of my hands. If VB decides to take a different direction down the road, etc., I have no control and could be left exposed. My experience with VB and some of their product/direction changes has not always been positive, so I am a little hesitant. It will also be interesting to see how Apple feels about this type of arrangement as well, basically VB being an app reseller, and the speed/timeliness that apps can be published and/or updated and approved.

I am very interested in this product/concept, I am just a little unsure at this point. On one hand I want to jump on board and be an early adopter, but on the other I kind of want to see how things shake out.