Is there an Ozbargain API?

ffhound on 29/12/2017 - 23:01

Hi

I'd like to have a go at making my own Android app to use with Ozbargain. How can I get access to the data on the webpage? Is there an API?

Thanks
Peter

Site Discussion

Comments

  • scotty on 29/12/2017 - 23:20
    +5

    Not really. You can get the data from RSS feed. There are some extra XML elements containing extra data (votes, comments, etc).

    • toristo on 30/12/2017 - 00:01
      +7

      ^seriously?

      Dude… you blow me away. This site is awesome. You hand up free info left, right and centre, and you're here at midnight on a Friday giving away even more of your time.

      Kudos. Proud to spend half my life in this community. Bank account begs to differ, but meh.

  • Ryanek on 30/12/2017 - 00:22
    +1

    It's been suggested in the past but I don't think there's really a need for a standalone app. The site already works great on mobile.

    • Halo375 on 30/12/2017 - 07:28
      +1

      Agreed but I guess you’d have to imagine how an app could engance the experience even further - location based deals, see all the deals closest to your location, alerts when a new deal pops up nearby, instant chat with other ozbargainers attending the same sale, easier to take photos and upload deals based on location, etc.

      I’m sure we could come up with some fun ideas.

      • scotty on 30/12/2017 - 08:02

        All of them could be done via a mobile app — location, notification etc. You also have access to PM on the mobile site. What OzBargain lacks is not an app, but getting all these features developed.

        There's however a reason for an OFFICIAL app though. Went to someone's house warming party yesterday and someone said he appreciated the site and installed the app. "What app?!" So maybe an official one would be useful when when it's not adding any feature.

      • [Deactivated] on 31/12/2017 - 13:38

        I’m sure we could come up with some fun ideas.

        "Enganced" should probably be a word for something, Halo375…

        As in, be careful what you wish for.

        As he indicated, his website-bub and all the associated hubbub (mainly Xiaomi-related.. :) keep scotty and other devs (that probably shouldn't be a word), very well-occupied. Other reason for not particularly wanting to develop a very-likely-popular official OzBargain app, is that the website's ad-revenue model just won't translate.

        So. Would you want scotty to incorporate some gameplay into the app, with some sort of in-app purchase, in order to make-up the shortfall?

        Would people really buy *little pixel pies* in order to feed a mildly animated jv as he trolled commented from the sidelines of pretend Collingwood games?
        Sorry, I forgot Candy Crush

        Yes. Yes, they probably would…

        The World is Doomed!

        Take heart, Halo375, it's not your fault.

        Umm… Happy New Year!

        • Halo375 on 31/12/2017 - 14:15
          +1

          Happy New Year to you too!!

  • Quantumcat on 30/12/2017 - 09:56
    +2

    Something a mobile app could add is the ability to go to the next new comment. When on my mobile there's not much point reading any of the long discussions because of that feature missing.

    • PissLUR on 30/12/2017 - 11:29
      +1

      Yes we really need this.
      +1

    • scotty on 31/12/2017 - 19:58

      It would be easier to as that feature to our mobile site than developing the whole app, wouldn't it?

      • Quantumcat on 31/12/2017 - 20:44

        I assume there's some sort of technical hurdle or we would already have it wouldn't we?

        • scotty on 31/12/2017 - 21:04

          Screen too small counted as technical hurdle? :) That's why I can't fit the full comment control on the mobile site. Needs a bit of redesign to get all the functionality in.

        • Quantumcat on 31/12/2017 - 23:48

          @scotty: oh yeah good point, the screen would start getting pretty crowded….
          Probably impossible, but it would be cool if you could capture a swipe left or right as being for skipping to the next or previous new comments

  • ffhound on 04/01/2018 - 18:03

    Hi again

    I have a couple of ozbargain apps and they work great. However there are some features which could enhance the experience.

    1. Ability to filter various categories or containing certain words, out of new items so that one never has to brose through tons of BCF or Supercheap auto bargains.
    2. Automatic text message sent to phone when a particular word or phrase appears in new items
    3. ability to bookmark certain new bargains

    cheers Peter

  • ffhound on 04/01/2018 - 23:37

    Thanks

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