Major Additions - Announcing Forum Runner - vBulletin Android/iPhone/iPad App

Introducing Forum Runner for the iPhone/iPad/Android vBulletin!

Forum Runner now supports ANDROID Devices!!!

Forum Runner now supports vBulletin 4.0/4.1 CMS!!

http://www.forumrunner.com

What is Forum Runner?

Forum Runner is a vBulletin mod that allows your users to browse your forum using a native Android/iPhone/iPad client. This means faster access for those users since it only downloads the actual forum information rather than all the extraneous images that slow down the mobile connection.

Forum Runner now supports the iPad natively! Download the Forum Runner app once and support both iPhone and iPad versions in one universal app!

iOS 4 multitasking on the iPhone is fully supported by Forum Runner.

Forum Runner is FREE for forum owners to install, and takes less than 5 minutes. The client for the iPhone/iPad/Android costs 1.99$ which is LESS THAN THE COMPETITORS, and has more features. Please see the list below for full information on Forum Runner's features.

Forum Runner inherits all the security built into vBulletin, so users running Forum Runner will only be able to see the same forums and threads as they could using a regular browser.

Forum Runner Feature List

• Native Android/iPad/iPhone support
• vBulletin 4.0 CMS support
• iOS 4 multitasking support
• Browse your favorite forums in an easy-to-use-interface with multiple notification types (private message, subscription, etc)
• Fully customizable home screen with your favorite forums
• FREE PUSH NOTIFICATION SUPPORT : Get private message and subscribed thread updates from your favorite forums in the background!
• Poll updates (private messages/subscriptions) from favorites on home screen - shows you a summary of which forums you have new messages or subscriptions on!
• Graphical display of polls - view results and vote on polls
• Moderation tools for your moderators/admins (close/open thread, stick/unstick thread, move thread, delete posts, etc)
• Image attachment thumbnail and full size viewing from threads
• View a thread's image attachments in one convenient screen (much like the native iPhone "Photo" app)
• Save thread images to your iPhone/iPod touch library
• Fully searchable forums!
• Multi-quote support
• View embedded links without leaving the app, including YouTube videos
• Supports portrait AND landscape mode
• Full posting options (quote posts, start new thread, etc)
• Attach unlimited photos from your library (or take a photo from the camera and attach it)
• Full support for private messages and private message folders
• Full support for thread subscriptions - track your favorite threads and be updated via push when they have new posts!

Forum Runner currently supports vBulletin 3.6.x, 3.7.x, 3.8.x and 4.0.x. We are adding support for other mobile phones as well as forum software.

There is a Free version available in the iTunes App Store and Google Market as well which allows your users to try out Forum Runner before making a decision to buy it. It has all the features of the full version except that it does not have the ability to post threads and a few other differences which are outlined on http://www.forumrunner.com.

Some screen shots of Forum Runner running on various devices:

iPhone: Home Screen with customizable icons and notifications:



Push notification updates while outside the app:



Image attachment browser from a thread:



Fully searchable forums:



Full forum browsing:





How do I get the Forum Runner vBulletin Add-On?

You can download the latest version from vBulletin.org below. However if you download this version, you still need to register your forum on our directory list so it shows up in the iPhone/Android client. Please note that if you download the addon from vBulletin.org, you will need to download the unique sitekey.php file from http://www.forumrunner.com after you register your forum.

To register your forum, simply head over to http://www.forumrunner.com/?p=register. Full instructions to register your forum in the Forum Runner database are there. Once you register your forum, you can download the sitekey there. Simply place this file in the "forumrunner" directory that is created when you unarchive the add-on.

Also, there is a support forum located at: http://www.forumrunner.com/forum Please post up your ideas or any issues you have with the App there.

How can I get the Forum Runner iPhone Client?
Either search "Forum Runner" in the App Store on your iPhone, or click one of the links below:

Get Forum Runner Full Version from App Store

How can I get the Forum Runner Android Client?

Either search "Forum Runner" in the Google Market on your Android device, or click one of the links below:

Get Forum Runner Full Version from Google Market

BE SURE TO DOWNLOAD THE RIGHT VERSION FOR YOUR FORUM!

This is the vBulletin 4.x thread. For other versions, look below.

Forum Runner for vBulletin 3.6.x
Forum Runner for vBulletin 3.7.x
Forum Runner for vBulletin 3.8.x

[KatieMae]

Thanks! Installed and works great on my Droid.

[ClemsonJeeper]

1.7.0
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Add support for user avatar uploads from phone
* Add new profile support with extra information
* Add support for users to soft delete their own posts (if the forum permissions allow it)

[andycaps]

I installed the plug in and followed the instructions and my site stopped displaying?
I uninsulated the xml file and manually removed the files from my root forum directory and the site returned again. Has anyone experienced this? I would love to install again but not so sure now?
thanks

[ClemsonJeeper]

Very odd. That is the first we've had any report with that. What version vBulletin are you using and any other add-ons?

[andycaps]

4.1.5 but not much in the way of add ons - I am not entirely convinced I installed it correctly so I think I will need to make a new back up and try and reinstall again..

One thing I don't understand is if the Forum Runner operates like a proper app, why would you want to create a mobile version of the forum using vb Mobile and pay the annual fee.

Or am I missing something?

[ClemsonJeeper]

Originally Posted by andycaps

4.1.5 but not much in the way of add ons - I am not entirely convinced I installed it correctly so I think I will need to make a new back up and try and reinstall again..

One thing I don't understand is if the Forum Runner operates like a proper app, why would you want to create a mobile version of the forum using vb Mobile and pay the annual fee.

Or am I missing something?

Try going through the install process step by step again and see if you have the issue. If so, there is likely an add-on conflict. I will test with 4.1.5 again but am quite sure it is working fine.

I'm not sure what you mean by the other question. Forum Runner came over a year ahead of vBulletin's official mobile offering. It allows you to install the free add-on and offload the cost of the app to your users (1.99). vBulletin's offering allows you to pay them to build you an app that you can list on your own iOS developer account to allow your users to have it for free.

We also provide the same branding service as well.

[Prisoner]

I have a user who uses Forum Runner on an Iphone and doesn't show up in the Who's Online list. Has anyone else noticed this?

[ClemsonJeeper]

Hmm. Odd. FR goes through the normal vB login code, so he should show up. I'll look at it to make sure something isn't missing.

[Prisoner]

It was on my end. It was conflicting with the Member Tracking mod. I changed the settings and she was showing up again.

Sorry for the confusion.

[ClemsonJeeper]

Glad you were able to get it working!