Got to thinking about what a WG mobile app might look like

[ach]

Did a quick sketch

http://i.imgur.com/qZkX6rh.png

What kind of features do you think would work well for WGs in a perfect service / app?

[xw5]

Got to thinking why anyone would want one.

[Jenny 2]

Got to thinking why anyone would want one.

Some days it's just those great one liners that make me chuckle...........

 

[StawberryFields]

There's already a web app for AW, I use it on my work phone.

[ach]

Got to thinking why anyone would want one.

Why would you want to... is exactly my question. What kind of handy features would be useful in a mobile application. 

There must be many workflows which can captured with a web application combined with mobile app that improve upon existing offerings.

There's already a web app for AW, I use it on my work phone.

I realise AW already has some kind of mobile integration, but I wonder how the whole flow of WGs advertising, booking and service provision could be improved. Is there anything lacking or things that could be made better with the AW app?

[xw5]

Once again, the issue isn't 'could my new superwhizzo directory / program / breakfast cereal look or work better than AW (and all the other directories etc)?'

It's 'does my new superwhizzo directory / program / breakfast cereal have more users than AW etc?'

AW is like eBay: it's pretty horrible in many regards and doesn't do anything technical that is particularly difficult to duplicate or improve on. But what they both have - more by accident rather than any great merit - is the user base in the UK, and outside some very specialist niches, that is what counts.

Find somewhere that doesn't have some established dominant players, and try there. You might be lucky or you might not, but you've got far more chance of succeeding.

[ach]

It's does my new superwhizzo directory / program / breakfast cereal have more users than AW etc?'

Yup. Understood. What you said makes total sense and I agree. A tipping point has to be reached in the user base. Content is king and AW certain has plenty of both.

But to my mind, the idea is not to be super whizzo at all. But to offer a simple and solid user experience which facilitate both providers and consumers in achieving their goals.

[BlueDomme]

If you want to do a sex work app, I'd do one for filthy chat. DirectIM is a nice way of picking up a fiver here and there when I'm too gross for cam, but I really wish I could use it or a similar service on my phone. I'd like the opportunity to pick up work in dead time when I'm on a train or waiting for someone in a public place. Add a customisable profile which you can add pictures and maybe videos to, and off you go.

You'd have to do it on Android though, Apple doesn't like sexy stuff on its phones.

[amy]

There must be many workflows which can captured with a web application combined with mobile app that improve upon existing offerings.

A tipping point has to be reached in the user base.

But to offer a simple and solid user experience which facilitate both providers and consumers in achieving their goals.

Are you Johnson out of Peep Show?

[xw5]

"You think the guys who invented Google sat around watching Trumpton?"

[Aussie Male Escort]

the WG advertising equivalent of grindr, tinder etc that uses gps to show you users close to your location might prove popular since all most clients seem to look at is location and pics anyway.

[xw5]

Good luck getting that one approved on any US company's store.

So you're left with people who (with Apple) have jail-broken their phone and (with everyone) don't mind loading an 'I am a client/escort' program from somewhere they don't know and giving the program's authors enough info to out them, if they wanted.

Hmm, doesn't sound that big a market to me.

[ach]

DirectIM is a nice way of picking up a fiver... but I really wish I could use it or a similar service on my phone.

...opportunity to pick up work in dead time when I'm on a train or waiting...

Add a customisable profile which you can add pictures and maybe videos to, and off you go.

the WG advertising equivalent of grindr, tinder etc that uses gps to show you users close to your location might prove popular since all most clients seem to look at is location and pics anyway.

Combining these ideas, a stripped down (excuse the pun) web based mobile app interfacing to a larger web application / directory site sounds like it would work quite well.

As @xw5 pointed out, Apple ToS would never allow such a thing so iAnything is out, but you could do it on android and as a mobile web app. Just having chat gets around the problem of displaying flash on mobile - most 3rd party streaming video providers only use flash.

Strikes me one of the most difficult problems to solve is a simple but secure workflow for identity verification. Clients don't want fake ads and would like privacy, and and I'm guessing WGs would like a secure way to verify the identity of clients.

On the topic of safety or security, I'm interested in one could integrate something like the Ugly Mugs scheme, for both adding and consuming information on the provider side within an app.

"You think the guys who invented Google sat around watching Trumpton?"

Not sure what you mean - I don't watch TV.

[xw5]

A quick look suggests that the only escort-related programs on Google's Play store have not been there for very long, are typically not in English, and doubtless will not be there for very much longer.

You could do it as a web service, but how are you hoping to verify anyone? Who's going to give you anything to do so? I am sure you know how AW does it, but possibly not the issues with it.

How is all this going to be funded?

To watch all of Peep Show's (currently) eight series will take less than 20 hours, and it will be a far, far better use of your time than proceeding with this. But you answer to a higher law, the law of, "If it feels sounds good, do it"...

[ach]

I am sure you know how AW does it, but possibly not the issues with it.

How is all this going to be funded?

I would like to learn about the issues with it. Any pointers would be helpful.

I am going to fund it.

Worth noting that the official Play store is only one repo for applications. Any droid user is a checkbox away from installing an apk from anywhere. I'm exploring ideas just now and it's always helpful to have a cynical critic to maintain a balance and perspective on ideas 

To watch all of Peep Show's (currently) eight series will take less than 20 hours, and it will be a far, far better use of your time than proceeding with this.

I'd much rather create stuff than watch telly