Contributor
- Joined
- Jul 8, 2018
- Messages
- 29
This is an update thread for an iOS app that I am making that fetches manga from MD.
Why?
Because I want to read Manga on my phone and there's only one app that supports MD afaik, MangaStorm and it's UI is shit. MangaRock has died and we don't really know when they'll stop hosting manga for users who had it installed before it was taken down.
Release date?
In short, no idea. Apple requires you to get a $99/year dev account for putting stuff on the App Store and I am broke atm. If enough people want me to make this into a thing then I might get the dev account, otherwise, I'll probably set up some crowdfunding thing to get the funds once it has most of the features implemented
Notes:
I've decided to remove ads altogether *IF* I can get enough funds from Patreon to keep the Developer account up. If, after a month I still think Patreon will not be able to sustain the Developer account fees, I'll add ads. Patrons will get exclusive access to the TestFlight builds once I get the dev account.
Also, I made a discord for some community feedback. I am frequently asking for feedback on UI of the app and other user-related actions within the app so if you're interested in the development of the app, drop by
Discord (updated): https://discord.gg/Ny83JV3
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/FaizanDurrani
Trello: https://trello.com/b/vcHjcUUK/mdreader-ios.
Planned Features
•Fetching recent updates
•Reading Manga
•Searching without having to login
•Tag-based search, including Demographic
•Advanced search
•Local lists
•List syncing with MD
•User login using MD
•Hentai support
•Chapter tracking
•Offline access
• Chapter downloading
• History
• Notification on chapter release
Demos
Update 3 (Basic search, Reading)
Update 4 (Login, List Syncing)
Update 5 (Adv. Search, Discover page, Better UI)
Update 6 (Improved UI)
Update 7 (Chapter syncing)
Update 8 (Offline mode, Chapter syncing, UI Improvements)
FAQ
Why?
Because I want to read Manga on my phone and there's only one app that supports MD afaik, MangaStorm and it's UI is shit. MangaRock has died and we don't really know when they'll stop hosting manga for users who had it installed before it was taken down.
Release date?
In short, no idea. Apple requires you to get a $99/year dev account for putting stuff on the App Store and I am broke atm. If enough people want me to make this into a thing then I might get the dev account, otherwise, I'll probably set up some crowdfunding thing to get the funds once it has most of the features implemented
Notes:
I've decided to remove ads altogether *IF* I can get enough funds from Patreon to keep the Developer account up. If, after a month I still think Patreon will not be able to sustain the Developer account fees, I'll add ads. Patrons will get exclusive access to the TestFlight builds once I get the dev account.
Also, I made a discord for some community feedback. I am frequently asking for feedback on UI of the app and other user-related actions within the app so if you're interested in the development of the app, drop by
Discord (updated): https://discord.gg/Ny83JV3
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/FaizanDurrani
Trello: https://trello.com/b/vcHjcUUK/mdreader-ios.
Planned Features
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
• Chapter downloading
• History
• Notification on chapter release
Demos
Update 3 (Basic search, Reading)
Update 4 (Login, List Syncing)
Update 5 (Adv. Search, Discover page, Better UI)
Update 6 (Improved UI)
Update 7 (Chapter syncing)
Update 8 (Offline mode, Chapter syncing, UI Improvements)
FAQ
Why are you making this?
My main reason for making this app is to not be dependant on Manga Rock, while I really like the app I do not want to depend on something that might close any day possibly without any prior notice. Apart from that, there aren't that many manga reader which have a UI similar to Manga Rock and provide support for Manga Dex (I know MR didn't have support for MD but it more than made up for it with suggestions). This is a personal project that I want to release for the community of Manga Dex but since Apple has a really big entry fee for their app store I am unable to afford to it as a University student.
What type of Business Model will you be going for?
None. I am not looking to make a profit off of the app. As long as I can somehow cover the costs for the Apple Dev account I don't care if I make a profit or not. It would be nice to get support for the development of the app but that totally up to the community.
When are you planning on releasing the app?
I am waiting for the Patreon goal to reach, after which I will purchase the apple developer account and roll out a closed TestFlight build to all the patrons. Patrons will get access to the TestFlight builds as long as they are pledged. The app will release after 2-3 weeks of TestFlight testing without any ads if the goal is still reached. If I believe that I wont be able to sustain the Apple Dev account cost with Patreon, I will add ads and give existing and older Patrons the choice to opt for a no-Ads version.
What if Apple rejects the app?
This is out of my control. I cannot guarantee that the app will be accepted by Apple. I will do my best to have it comply with their policies but at the end of the day, it's up to the manual reviewers to decide whether it gets put up on the app store or not.
Will there be an Android version?
At the moment, I have no plans for making an Android version. That said, if the iOS app is well received by the community I'll consider an Android port. Meanwhile, people should use Tachiyomi with the MangaDex extension on Android I believe it has basic features such as search and local follows.
Will I be able to import my Manga Dex or Manga Rock mangas?
MangaDex syncing will be supported from day 1. Manga Rock on the other hand, I am still trying to work out a couple of things, but it will eventually be supported.
What can I do to support the development of the app?
Apart from becoming a Patron. You can let other people reading manga on iOS that this exists. The more people there are who are willing to use this the more incentive I have to finish and polish the app.
Is this an official app for MangaDex?
No. This is not an official app for MangaDex. The good people who're making and running MangaDex have nothing to do with this.
Will I get banned from MangaDex if I use this?
No. All the calls to MD are under their suggested limits and shouldn't get you banned. I have not been IP Blocked even once during development. If MangaDex introduces some other restrictions then thats another matter. I will update the app then.
My main reason for making this app is to not be dependant on Manga Rock, while I really like the app I do not want to depend on something that might close any day possibly without any prior notice. Apart from that, there aren't that many manga reader which have a UI similar to Manga Rock and provide support for Manga Dex (I know MR didn't have support for MD but it more than made up for it with suggestions). This is a personal project that I want to release for the community of Manga Dex but since Apple has a really big entry fee for their app store I am unable to afford to it as a University student.
What type of Business Model will you be going for?
None. I am not looking to make a profit off of the app. As long as I can somehow cover the costs for the Apple Dev account I don't care if I make a profit or not. It would be nice to get support for the development of the app but that totally up to the community.
When are you planning on releasing the app?
I am waiting for the Patreon goal to reach, after which I will purchase the apple developer account and roll out a closed TestFlight build to all the patrons. Patrons will get access to the TestFlight builds as long as they are pledged. The app will release after 2-3 weeks of TestFlight testing without any ads if the goal is still reached. If I believe that I wont be able to sustain the Apple Dev account cost with Patreon, I will add ads and give existing and older Patrons the choice to opt for a no-Ads version.
What if Apple rejects the app?
This is out of my control. I cannot guarantee that the app will be accepted by Apple. I will do my best to have it comply with their policies but at the end of the day, it's up to the manual reviewers to decide whether it gets put up on the app store or not.
Will there be an Android version?
At the moment, I have no plans for making an Android version. That said, if the iOS app is well received by the community I'll consider an Android port. Meanwhile, people should use Tachiyomi with the MangaDex extension on Android I believe it has basic features such as search and local follows.
Will I be able to import my Manga Dex or Manga Rock mangas?
MangaDex syncing will be supported from day 1. Manga Rock on the other hand, I am still trying to work out a couple of things, but it will eventually be supported.
What can I do to support the development of the app?
Apart from becoming a Patron. You can let other people reading manga on iOS that this exists. The more people there are who are willing to use this the more incentive I have to finish and polish the app.
Is this an official app for MangaDex?
No. This is not an official app for MangaDex. The good people who're making and running MangaDex have nothing to do with this.
Will I get banned from MangaDex if I use this?
No. All the calls to MD are under their suggested limits and shouldn't get you banned. I have not been IP Blocked even once during development. If MangaDex introduces some other restrictions then thats another matter. I will update the app then.
