Lee Valley App

[Lloyd Robins]

I thought that iPad users might be interested to know that Lee Valley has a catalogue app at the App Store. It seems to be an excellent way to help you send money to Mr. Lee, and as SWMBO obeyed says view "tool porn" . :D

[Hilton Ralphs]

Thankfully I don't own any devices from the "we will tell you what you need" company and I refuse to install that virus which masquerades as a music app.

Nonetheless, for the rest of us in the real world we won't see an Android app any time soon.

I'll just keep viewing online as per normal. To be honest though, I don't enjoy mobile apps like the one for Amazon etc. I prefer to open a link in a new tab when I'm shopping.

[Rob Lee]

(snip)
Nonetheless, for the rest of us in the real world we won't see an Android app any time soon. (snip)



Hi Hilton -

That's a curious statement. While our first foray into a library/reader app was within the Apple world, we have no plans to ignore platforms running Android. It's just a more complex environment, and will require more resources and time to execute.

Cheers -

Rob

[Lloyd Robins]

Hilton, I have the "we will tell you what you need" company tablet. I quite like it. After working with my wife's android tablet and phone trying to keep them running, I like it even more. (Her tablet works better than the phone.) I do wish that we could add a extra memory card, but then we wouldn't have to pay as much for the extra memory. Sigh. However, everything syncs across all my devices. (Yes, I have a Mac.) Back to the app. This app is a bit different than the Amazon app. You can down load their indexed catalogues for browsing. I haven't even found a place for ordering on it. Certainly not a necessity, but fun while waiting in line, at the doctor's, or just for finding what you didn't know that you need. The copy that I used to keep on my desk is now on my tablet. In the long run it will save paper. A far as most other apps like Amazon and others, I, too, like to use the browser.

[Hilton Ralphs]

Rob, during those annoying hours between breakfast and supper I work in IT so I'm all for the new cool stuff but I'm just wondering how many woodworkers are going to want to browse the site on a small phone or tablet. Given the more advanced in years age group of woodworkers, small screens are surely more a hindrance than a convenience. Perhaps I'm wrong here but I for one would prefer to browse the tools on offer using my 24" screen on my desk so I can get a better feel for what's on offer.

Buying weekly groceries is a different story of course as I don't care what shape the latest bottle of milk is.

[Hilton Ralphs]

Hilton, I have the "we will tell you what you need" company tablet. I quite like it.

Lloyd, take my Apple comments with a pinch of salt. If you're an Apple fan I'll wind you up, if you're a soccer fan I'll wind you up, if you're vegetarian I'll wind you up but it's all in good fun. Same goes for BMW, Indie singers and anyone who supports the Aussie rugby team. :)

[David Weaver]

Speaking of paper catalogs, I would kind of like to stop receiving them. And that's not particularly aimed at LV, because I buy and have bought enough from them to justify the cost of the catalog.

But, stuff like Farmtek (not woodworking related), I"ve bought $40 worth of stuff from them in 5 years, and I know they've sent me at least $40 worth of printed cost catalogs. Consequently, the prices on most of their things are so high that I can just go to amazon (who isn't very inexpensive anymore) and find cheaper, and in most cases, if something is available locally, it's cheaper than farmtek.

And Japan woodworker, I don't remember the last thing I bought from them, but the same thing is the case - they have the highest price on 99% of everything they sell and sometimes by a wide margin (for example, the kitayama stone is $102 in the JWW catalog, and generally $62-$80 anywhere else., and the now limited tsunesaburo planes are far more expensive (not just $10 or $20 but in some cases several hundred) than what it would cost to get them straight from japan. I don't need more paper catalogs, I want better prices.

And northern tool, I can't even remember the last time I actually bought something from them. Must've been five years ago.

I should be mindful and go opt out of LV's catalog, and LN's mailings. I've bought plenty from both, but never as a result of a catalog.

[Rob Lee]

Hi Hilton -

I do get where you're coming from - but that's not the type of app we've developed.

What we (I) were after is a bookshelf that lets people download and browse catalogs and publications without a persistent connection, to be used exactly as one would use a printed piece. Add to that the ability to search, use the index, and add notes. It's not ecommerce enabled, and we didn't make it an iPhone compatible app, as we recognize it would just not be a good experience on a small screen.

My "inspiration" for the Library App was the Nikon Manual reader, and various other bookshelf type apps. Clean, functional, and suitable to purpose.

The exisitence of this app also means we'll be able to produce specialty content without incurring print and postage costs... an eight digit budget item here (and no - I'm not counting the decimals!). The potential exists for us to provide a reference library of manuals and instruction sheets, and to produce content in multiple languages.

It will also be used extensively by staff at our stores - we're outfitting floor-walkers with tablets, to be able to better support customers in the showroom.

This is just our first application, and on one platform. We will continue to work on expanded function, more types of content, and to increase the platform availability.

Cheers -

Rob

[Hilton Ralphs]

Rob, then I look forward to your first Driod app with much anticipation.

Consider 3D rendered images and way more detail than what's on your site.

[Chris Griggs]

I want an app that actually converts my Droid phone into a block plane please!

[Matthew Hills]

without incurring print and postage costs... an eight digit budget item here (and no - I'm not counting the decimals!).

Does that 8-digit item include shipping on product, or just postage on printed material? (?!)

Matt

[Mike Holbrook]

I am excited to have the iPhone app and excited for LV too. The wife and I are hard at work trying to get our web site to display equally well on iPhones, iPads and full size computer screens. Things have been getting smaller for many years now and I don't see that trend changing. At least in my little world, it is kinda scary how much time I see people spending on their iPhones surfing, looking up just about anything...

I don't see why anyone would go anywhere other than the Apple iOS for starters, everyone knows "there IS an app for that"! Come on Hilton give the Apple guys a little slack they were sniffing tails for quite a few years and earned their present place by giving people what they wanted not the other way around.

Chris which one are you in your new avatar, block plane, that is funny?

[Chris Griggs]

Chris which one are you in your new avatar?

That's a secret. I deliberately made it ambiguous. For that matter how know I'm either. Could just be some photo I found on Facebook...I might actually be a 62 year old Russian women out hunting for an American divorcee to be my sugar daddy.


....I actually kind of regret putting up my new avatar. I think I was just starting to convince people that I might actually be a cat!

[Mike Holbrook]

Wow Chris you have me wondering now!

Next Rob will come up with an app that will change our phones into any tool we want. I'm not betting against it, somewhere in a dark room in Canada...

[Jay Radke]

Rob, during those annoying hours between breakfast and supper I work in IT so I'm all for the new cool stuff but I'm just wondering how many woodworkers are going to want to browse the site on a small phone or tablet. Given the more advanced in years age group of woodworkers, small screens are surely more a hindrance than a convenience. Perhaps I'm wrong here but I for one would prefer to browse the tools on offer using my 24" screen on my desk so I can get a better feel for what's on offer.

Buying weekly groceries is a different story of course as I don't care what shape the latest bottle of milk is.

you can please some of the people all the time...seems to be what this falls under.

i am involved with a sporting club, when we decided to move all of our registrations for events to our website we got some slack from "older" members. but even the guys in their late 70's and 80's signed up for stuff online. when i was in charge of all the events at the club one year, i found that people even the "old" guys responded to my emails within 24 hours. three years latter there is not a peep about having to go to the website...the complaints that i had heard before we started.

for those that prefer the 24 inch screens, there are others that prefer the tablets so they can do what they want where they want. if it is true that you wont need to live online to view than that will fill the bill for a lot of people. it is a lot nicer to be able to just take my tablet on a plane for a long vacation. no more books, mags and papers for work to read on the plane or at other down times. just one light tablet and i have everything i need. for those that might not like that some tablets dont have memory slots. just get dropbox. you get 2gb of free space to start, share folders with others and you get more space. put dropbox on your devices and every file is on every device. for desktops and laptops you only need to be connected to sync the files. files are also saved locally on those devices. the only downfall is that for tablets you need to be connected to open a file.

[Lloyd Robins]

Lloyd, take my Apple comments with a pinch of salt. If you're an Apple fan I'll wind you up, if you're a soccer fan I'll wind you up, if you're vegetarian I'll wind you up but it's all in good fun. Same goes for BMW, Indie singers and anyone who supports the Aussie rugby team. :)

Hilton, I hope that I didn't seem upset. My son the androidian gives a much harder time. I don't mind people taking a shot at Apple. I agree about the Aussie rugby team.
(What is rugby?) Is it played in South Africa? Sorry, couldn't resist. My alma mater won the US college title this year, or at least one of the titles. Figuring out where sports are going can be more difficult than fettling a plane. :)

[Hilton Ralphs]

I'm thinking of converting my sun roof into a giant tablet. Solar powered on the outside, massive screen on the inside. If I need to get directions on the GPS app, I just look up instead of frantically searching for the dash mounted GPS.

[Sam Stephens]

FWIW, LV catalogs are in the front of my bathroom magazine rack for a reason -the plane centerfold!

Glad to hear the app will be moving to other platforms.

[Tony Wilkins]

FWIW, LV catalogs are in the front of my bathroom magazine rack for a reason -the plane centerfold!

Too much info ;)

Sent from my iPad

[glenn bradley]

Thankfully I don't own any devices from the "we will tell you what you need" company and I refuse to install that virus which masquerades as a music app.

:D:D:D The truth hurts :D:D:D. I do use the LV App on my company-supplied iPhone however. Works well like many Apple products . . . . as long as you only want to do what they do :D.

[Rob Lee]

Does that 8-digit item include shipping on product, or just postage on printed material? (?!)

Matt

There's no shipping of parcels included....

Rob

[David Weaver]

I recall someone telling me a catalog (less large than LV's, more like the kind of stuff that we get from JWW) was 2 bucks a head. I would like instead, as a customer, to get 2 bucks of "retailer dollars" in the mail instead of a catalog. I think it would incent sales more. I realize there would be a cost associated with that, too, but it would be more fun - like getting something for nothing, instead of getting something to throw in the trash for nothing.

[Rob Lee]

I recall someone telling me a catalog (less large than LV's, more like the kind of stuff that we get from JWW) was 2 bucks a head. I would like instead, as a customer, to get 2 bucks of "retailer dollars" in the mail instead of a catalog. I think it would incent sales more. I realize there would be a cost associated with that, too, but it would be more fun - like getting something for nothing, instead of getting something to throw in the trash for nothing.

Our main catalog (wood) runs $3.10-$3.50 printing and postage at bulk mail rates in the US (much high for requestors). Rates in Canada are even higher.

Glad to pay it - if customers want and use it, but also recognise that it's very costly. We're actively working on other options and programs to ensure that people who want and use catalogs get them, and that other who don't, won't.

Cheers -

Rob

[David Weaver]

Ahh...so there is no way at this point to opt out of it..? (not that I'm offended by getting it - but it's just wasted money).

I didn't find any opt out on the web page.

[Rob Lee]

Working on it... it much more complex to record and administer that one would think. Binary mail yes/no isn't acceptable to all....

We'll rely on you to find a good home for it this year, shoul dwe send it... I'll promise you'll be able to do what you want next year... hopefully a LOT sooner....

Cheers -

Rob

[Malcolm Schweizer]

I almost wish I hadn't seen this. Actually, MY WIFE wishes I hadn't seen it!!! I actually check the LV site daily for deals or new stuff. I guess you can say I am addicted. In the LV vs LN race, LV is winning in my shop!

Rob, can I become a "field tester"? You send me stuff to test, I tell you how much I like it. I think that new shooting plane needs a good testing.

[Derek Cohen]

Lloyd and all,

I was tempted to post about this app about a week ago, but I am an enabler enough. :)

I will comment on this, however (while not meaning to sidetrack the thread) ..


I do wish that we could add a extra memory card, but then we wouldn't have to pay as much for the extra memory.

Go to the Seagate website and find their portable hard drives. They have a 1Tb wireless version. This is amazing! It is no doubt more than an extra card, but up to about 5 or 7 can access it simultaneously, and it holds a silly amount of data. I connect my iPad to it, and store movies and magazines there for both home use and travel.

Regards from Perth

Derek

[Ryan Mooney]

Well certainly looking forward to the other publications as well, should be very interesting to see what comes out. It would be nice if those were available in a non-proprietary format (pdf perhaps) as well as they would be easy to store on a kindle or other reader but beggars can't be choosers most of the time.

I do religiously read the paper catalog (such pretty pictures :D) and the cover art is always well.. art! However, I must admit I haven't really been motivated personally to buy much from it and knowing that its expensive I would happily opt out - with no expectation that it would lower my spend rate. I have been tempted on occasion into opening the wallet from the periodic emails (and the "woodworking newsletters" are always worth reading imho).

[Mark Roderick]

Count me as a LV customer who is glad to learn of the app and is about to download it.

Rob, could you please call Tom Lie-Neilsen and ask him to create an app also?

[Andrew Pitonyak]

That's a curious statement. While our first foray into a library/reader app was within the Apple world, we have no plans to ignore platforms running Android. It's just a more complex environment, and will require more resources and time to execute.

The easiest road to an Android application is Java. If you intend to write an application that can easily be run on multiple systems, consider a framework that will run on multiple systems; for example, QT. I won't bore you with the history of QT, but, it supports Android and IOS.

It is at least worth a quick look, especially if you have not yet dedicated any effort in that direction.

Disclaimer:
I have only written one Android application, and I started with a C++ application that I ran on Windows and Linux and I pulled out a portion of it and then compiled and ran it on Android. I have not done this on an iPhone.

Opinions:
Although the process for conversion to Android was painless and quick using QT, Android and IOS support in Android and iPhone is new so I cannot comment on its robustness on these platforms. I had no problems, but I did not stress the application like I have with the Linux / Windows based stuff that I have written using the tools.

[daniel lane]

....I actually kind of regret putting up my new avatar. I think I was just starting to convince people that I might actually be a cat!

On the internet, nobody knows this...

Also, with respect to the OP:

Thanks for the heads up, I did not know about the app and will d/l it soon.
My wife hates you.




daniel

[Lloyd Robins]

Lloyd and all,

I was tempted to post about this app about a week ago, but I am an enabler enough. :)

I will comment on this, however (while not meaning to sidetrack the thread) ..



Go to the Seagate website and find their portable hard drives. They have a 1Tb wireless version. This is amazing! It is no doubt more than an extra card, but up to about 5 or 7 can access it simultaneously, and it holds a silly amount of data. I connect my iPad to it, and store movies and magazines there for both home use and travel.

Regards from Perth

Derek


Derek, thank you. I tried the previous version, but didn't feel that it was a finished product. This one looks more complete.

[Gary Muto]

I just downloaded the app and catalogs last night. Very handy. The App just needs an option to notify you with special offers and/or free shipping announcements. Email is sooo 2010. ;)