Messaging App

Getting Started Newbie Questions
#1

Hello everyone, I have got an idea of an app where you can privately message friends/other people, etc. I am wanting it be able to sign into an account and then you can freely message people, share photos, files and videos. How would I go about doing this?

My plan is so you can swipe down on your screen and it refreshes showing new message, friend requests and incoming files. Would it also be possible that if you do not have an internet connection, then you could message through bluetooth? (just an idea!)

My idea for the name of the app is Communicatify and I have ready made.

To make this app would I need a server and would I need to learn about socket with Corona SDK?

Thanks, in advance!!!

#2

I don’t mean to discourage you, but what you are describing is basically WhatsApp… or any other social app, like Facebook or Viber. That market has some huge players. I wouldn’t even consider going there as an indie developer. You need to be more innovative than that.

To your questions: yes, you would need a server, and no, Bluetooth can not replace an internet connection, unless you want to send a message to someone who is <10m away (after manually pairing the devices).

#3

Thanks for your reply, but I am not wanting to compete with the likes of facebook, etc, I am wanting to run the app of a private server, just like bbm, so bbm will be my main rival or just an alternative

#4

You can try Parse.com or similar to handle your messages. Another idea is Coronium, it looks very promising if you want to roll your own: http://forums.coronalabs.com/topic/43421-coronium-cloud-platform/  Then you could also do websockets: http://forums.coronalabs.com/topic/47872-ann-dmc-websockets-websocket-module-for-corona-sdk/

Many more options out there when using REST.

BTW here is an app that was in the news recently and can chat with people nearby without internet: http://www.theverge.com/2014/3/20/5530062/firechat-app-iphone-lets-you-text-friends-even-without-a-signal

#5

I might go with Coronium, it looks very promissing. My plan was to have some sort of no connection messaging.

Thanks

#6

I don’t mean to discourage you, but what you are describing is basically WhatsApp… or any other social app, like Facebook or Viber. That market has some huge players. I wouldn’t even consider going there as an indie developer. You need to be more innovative than that.

To your questions: yes, you would need a server, and no, Bluetooth can not replace an internet connection, unless you want to send a message to someone who is <10m away (after manually pairing the devices).

#7

Thanks for your reply, but I am not wanting to compete with the likes of facebook, etc, I am wanting to run the app of a private server, just like bbm, so bbm will be my main rival or just an alternative

#8

You can try Parse.com or similar to handle your messages. Another idea is Coronium, it looks very promising if you want to roll your own: http://forums.coronalabs.com/topic/43421-coronium-cloud-platform/  Then you could also do websockets: http://forums.coronalabs.com/topic/47872-ann-dmc-websockets-websocket-module-for-corona-sdk/

Many more options out there when using REST.

BTW here is an app that was in the news recently and can chat with people nearby without internet: http://www.theverge.com/2014/3/20/5530062/firechat-app-iphone-lets-you-text-friends-even-without-a-signal

#9

I might go with Coronium, it looks very promissing. My plan was to have some sort of no connection messaging.

Thanks