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Introducing the TexAgs iOS App

December 7, 2022
53,373

HOWDY, AGS. Well, the rumors are true — We have been hard at work over the past couple of years and are very excited to announce the new TexAgs iOS App!

It is available starting today in the App Store for iPhone and iPad.

The most common question we get when someone finds out we’re developing an app is: “But…why? The mobile site works great.” First, THANK YOU. We’re proud of our current mobile web experience and believe it’s the best in the industry, and don’t worry because it’s not going anywhere. 

Having said that, there are several advantages that a native app provides: Things like push notifications, the ability to control how video and audio are played and a faster and smoother user interface, amongst others. We felt like those things, in particular, were significant enough to take the plunge.

As with all platform redesigns, it may take a little time to get used to the interface, but if you’re familiar with our mobile website, you should be able to pick things up pretty quickly. And our bet is that you’ll ultimately prefer the app experience. One thing to note is that we have plenty of features and pages still to be added. You can see our list of known issues and planned development at the top of the Technical Support Forum.

As far as access goes, while non-subscribers are able to download the app and read free stories, a TexAgs Basic subscription unlocks the vast majority of the app’s functionality, including reading and interacting on the forums. You will need to subscribe or manage your subscription on our website — that process is not available within the app.

Lastly, we just wanted to recognize the hard work of our development team: Garrett Oelze (gman4455), Josh Oelze (ooshwa) and Stewart Wade (Stewade). All three have been working on this project for a very long time, but nobody put in nearly as many hours as Garrett. Being the sole software engineer for an app like this isn’t an easy task — he has been running on pure caffeine this past week trying to meet our release deadline. All three of us are thrilled to finally release it for y'all!

We have posted a list of frequently asked questions below, so if you have a question or need help, check those first. If you don’t find your answer there, we’d ask that you post a new topic in the Technical Support Forum as opposed to cluttering up other forums.

OK, enough talk! If you’d like to go ahead and jump right in, click here to jump to the App Store.

Thanks and Gig ‘Em,
Dev Team



Frequently Asked Questions

 

“But…why? The mobile site works great.”

There are several advantages that a native app provides over a mobile website.

1. Push Notifications
We have completely overhauled the “Watchlist” and created a robust, fully customizable notification system. So whether you want a notification for breaking news, recruiting updates from Billy, Ryan and Jason, or every single time Gary79Ag posts Longhorn tears, you can easily set those up.

2. Media Player Capabilities
One of our favorite things about the new app is the ability to control the audio and video player. You’ll now have the ability to do things like collapse the player and continue to browse the site if you’d like. It’s also now easier to play audio files in the background or watch picture-in-picture as you use other apps.

3. Improved User Interface
Another advantage of an app is a faster, smoother and more dynamic user interface. One big change you’ll notice is infinite scrolling in the forums. No longer will you have to tap the button to go to the next page — just keep scrolling! Everything should just feel smoother and faster: jumping in and out of threads, posting replies, switching forums, etc. 

Are you planning to release an Android version?

Yes! We are only releasing an iOS version today, but we built the app on a platform that will allow us to more easily spin up an Android version. We don’t have a timeline on that yet, but we will do our best to keep you informed. 

Who can access the TexAgs app?

Anyone can download and install the app! However, you will need a Basic subscription to unlock its primary features, including reading and interacting on all forums. As always, you’ll also need a Premium subscription to access Premium content and a Varsity subscription to access the Varsity forum. You will need to subscribe or manage your subscription on our website — that process is not available within the app.

How do I learn to use the App?

When you first open the app, a brief app tour will appear on your screen — swipe to the right to learn some of the basics. We also hope it’s fairly intuitive, and if you’re familiar with our mobile website, you should get the hang of the app fairly quickly. If you can’t figure something out, feel free to post a topic on the Technical Support Forum, and we’ll do our best to help!

What if I find a bug? Can I report that somewhere?

Before reporting a bug, make sure to check our Known Issues thread on the Technical Support Forum. If you don’t see it listed there (or another topic about the same issue), feel free to post a new topic in the Technical Support Forum. 

Why is _______ missing from the app?

While we decided that this version of the app was stable enough to release publicly, there are a few things available on the website and not yet on the app (Search, Post of the Day page, etc.). If you would like to see a list of planned development, check the stickied thread on the Technical Support Forum.

Will you be adding more features to the app?

Yes, there are a lot of features that we are still planning to add, and actually, there is plenty we’re planning to add! If you would like to see a list of planned development, check the stickied thread on the Technical Support Forum.

Why did my desktop site change?

Once you log into the app for the first time, you’ll notice that the desktop site’s header bar will look slightly different. You’ll now have a bell icon, representing your notifications. This takes the place of the binoculars (previously called the “Watchlist”), and that is where you will find any replies to threads you have bookmarked, along with notifications you’ve set up. Currently, you have to set up and manage notifications within the app, but eventually, you’ll be able to do that from the desktop version as well. As for the mobile site, it remains unchanged for now, and you will only see bookmarked threads and not notifications.

I have questions - where do I ask them?

If you haven’t found your answer in these FAQs, then we’d ask that you post a new topic in the Technical Support Forum as opposed to cluttering up the other forums.

Discussion from...

Introducing the TexAgs iOS App

35,816 Views | 20 Replies | Last: 5 mo ago by SgtBarbarossa
hunter2012
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AG
The Dirty Sock
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ugh...I have to pay.
3rd and 2
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AG
Exciting! Does it auto-ban for discussing Kellen Mond wanting to tear down Sully like on the website?
.
FightinTAC08
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i just saw this. guess i am deleting.
WatchOle
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Staff
AG
Only have to have Basic sub.
FightinTAC08
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AG
I'd rather pay a one time charge for the app. Right now, its basically $50/yr for the app. I've never worried about ads or the aggie only forum.
Nitro Power
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WatchOle said:

Only have to have Basic sub.


Guess I will continue using the mobile website. Too bad, it looks like the app is well done, hard to say definitively because I can't read the forums.
When you fall to your knees and ask God for help, don’t forget to fall back on your knees and say ‘thank you’ when He answers.- Steve Torrence
JetAg
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AG
So dumb you have to pay the "Basic" rates to have access to the features such as reading posts in non-pay forums. What's the point? I guess I downloaded for nothing and will just use the browser on my phone. Time to delete.
taylorswift13
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Of course they didn't mention that you have to pay in the article…
greg.w.h
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Thanks for the app. Does basic turn on private messages? Coz…well…I don't need those.
greg.w.h
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AG
JetAg said:

So dumb you have to pay the "Basic" rates to have access to the features such as reading posts in non-pay forums. What's the point? I guess I downloaded for nothing and will just use the browser on my phone. Time to delete.

I deleted already. They have to charge for it since you get dark mode…
JetAg
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AG
greg.w.h said:

JetAg said:

So dumb you have to pay the "Basic" rates to have access to the features such as reading posts in non-pay forums. What's the point? I guess I downloaded for nothing and will just use the browser on my phone. Time to delete.

I deleted already. They have to charge for it since you get dark mode…
Haha...maybe if I promise to stay on light mode they'll let me read/post in non-pay forums from the App.

AgLaw02
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Downloaded the app and immediately deleted it since it won't let you access the forums.
Old Town Ag
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AG
Got Android WNB
alamogeorge
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Nitro Power said:

WatchOle said:

Only have to have Basic sub.


Guess I will continue using the mobile website. Too bad, it looks like the app is well done, hard to say definitively because I can't read the forums.
Translation: "I guess I'll take my zero dollars elsewhere."
"You may all go to hell, and I will go to Aggieland!" -Davy Crockett
InMyOpinion
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What other apps charge you to do something on their app when you can do the same thing on their website for free?

That was the quickest I have downloaded and then deleted an app
Azariah
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AG
I concur with the other sentiments here. Not paying for something I can get free on the web. Basic is a complete waste of cash in that it doesn't provide remotely the benefit $5/month would be worth and Premium is grossly overpriced for something that is this small a facet of my life. I'm not paying more for access to recruiting info than I do for Netflix for my whole family. For those people for whom it's worth it, though, good for you.

TexAgs is the premier place to get Aggie sports related info online, but they're in danger of rendering themselves obsolete by putting everything behind a paywall.
IDaggie06
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AG
If it is not going to be free to read the forums, then they need another subscription tier for mobile forum access or make it a one time purchase I'd probably pay a one time $50 fee for it, but I'm not paying $50/year. If it is going to be monthly/yearly then make the mobile forum access like $20/year. You will get way more people to pay.

taylorswift13
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This coming off arguably the schools worst athletics semester in a long long time! Football losing record, soccer and volleyball bottom of the sec, women's basketball worst in the conference, men's basketball outside looking in yet again… and yet we need to pay to discuss this stuff
SgtBarbarossa
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Does this app have ads, or are they removed since you're paying for the subscription anyway?
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