New mobile Brickset apps for iOS and Android

 

  • New mobile Brickset apps for iOS and Android

    Posted by Huw, 22 May 2012 16:59. Filed under Software/Games.

    A couple of new mobile apps have been released recently that tap into the Brickset API and provide access to your collection while you're on the move.

    Brick By Brick is an Apple iOS app that is optimised for iPhones but will also work on an iPad. From the description in the AppStore:

    Browse and search Brickset database:
    - browse by themes (sub themes or year) - search option available for sets.

    Set details:
    -user can add to want list and change number of owned, edit set notes, visit Brickset site and share Brickset url on Facebook and Twitter.
    -for sets with instructions, user can download instructions and they are later available for viewing so the user doesn't have to re-download them each time.
    -pdf viewer for instructions with bookmarks and printing options.
    -set picture can be enlarged, and sent to email or saved in database.

    I've tried it on my iPad and it works a treat and is arguably the best iOS Brickset app out there. The developer plans to add native iPad support and other features in due course.


    myBrickset is the first Android app for Brickset. It has been developed by forum member RikTheVeggie. The Google Play description reads:

    Browse the LEGO catalogue & prices offline. Sync your wanted sets with Brickset.
    Browse the entire LEGO database offline, including retired sets. Includes retail price information for the UK, US and Canada - never wonder again if you're paying too much for your LEGO!

    Powered by brickset.com - the friendliest and most comprehensive LEGO fan site on the Internet.

    Seamlessly integrates with brickset.com to keep track of your owned & wanted sets.

    Automatically updates with new releases, pictures and price information as it becomes available.

    --

    This is an excellent app that works well if you're without a data connection but if you have one available it provides a complete Brickset experience including access to the large set images and also instructions at LEGO.com.

    Both of the apps are free so if you have an iPhone or Android device I encourage you to download one and give it a go.


    40 comments, latest one posted 12 months ago. (Commenting has ended on this article)
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Comments

Posted by KillDeer in Canada, 22 May 2012 17:41

I'll check out the Android app ASAP. Very excited.

Posted by gamesgem in United Kingdom, 22 May 2012 17:46

Im download number 3 for Android, looks great.

Posted by Andhe in United Kingdom, 22 May 2012 18:08

How do you sync the android app? It doesn't show any of my 'haves' currently.

Posted by kbsig106 in United States, 22 May 2012 18:10

Just downloaded the android app and about to give it a test drive.

Posted by Huw in United Kingdom, 22 May 2012 18:13

^^ I believe it does it in the background. Give it a little while...

Posted by dragon_teenager in United States, 22 May 2012 18:47

Nice! I'll try out the Android version very soon.

Posted by rokrbbc in Brazil, 22 May 2012 19:25

How nice see all the sets in a retina display app! Like it.
I think would be interesting add brickset news and minifigs I have and minifigs I want!

Posted by el_rey95 in United States, 22 May 2012 19:48

The Droid version works great!

Posted by RikTheVeggie in Canada, 22 May 2012 20:55

The Android app syncs automatically in the background, it can take up to 30 seconds the first time to get everything down (it also updates with the latest Brickset database changes at the same time as getting your owned & wanted data).

Any problems (or feature requests), please mail me direct on support@otissoft.co.uk and I'll do my best to help.

Posted by vyjo in Thailand, 22 May 2012 22:02

Wow that should be cool. I am downloading now. With 10+ downloaded. I am one of the first person in the world that get this cool app. :)

Posted by kaboomlegoman in United States, 22 May 2012 22:29

First A World of Bricks and now this... We really re getting some great Brickset apps.

Posted by rokrbbc in Brazil, 23 May 2012 00:05

Sorry if I was somehow rude before. I'm using it for a while and it's a really cool app. Thanks.
But I have just one more thing, a simple one to add into this. Ability landscape when you're seeing set's image. In some pictures it'd look even better!

Posted by jengafett in United Kingdom, 23 May 2012 01:02

downloading right now!

Posted by jengafett in United Kingdom, 23 May 2012 01:25

mybrickset says this everytime I try to open it up on my htc: The application mybrickset (process uk.co.otissoft.mybrickset) has stopped unexpectedly. please try again.

Posted by supersympa in Sweden, 23 May 2012 01:56

I wish i had a smartphone....I am a nokia guy! LOL

Posted by teamladd in United Kingdom, 23 May 2012 03:18

Thats a great App. Thanks a lot.

Posted by JJay in United Kingdom, 23 May 2012 04:51

Very excited, until my Samsung Tab, did 'The application mybrickset (process uk.co.otissoft.mybrickset) has stopped unexpectedly. please try again.'

Will contact RikTheVeggie for help.

Posted by rockbrick in Gibraltar, 23 May 2012 06:20

working good on a samsung galaxy s2

Posted by joao in Portugal, 23 May 2012 06:41

myBrickset crashes for me as well. I reported it so Rik should get the log to figure out what might be happening.

Rik, maybe you should add a progress bar or some information about how the sync is going. There's a refresh button that doesn't seem to do anything atm.

Posted by jonbuddy in United States, 23 May 2012 07:15

All we need now is a Windows Phone 7 app, lol.

Posted by kbsig106 in United States, 23 May 2012 07:40

Works great!!!!

Posted by Huw in United Kingdom, 23 May 2012 09:17

^^ you mean like this one? http://www.brickset.com/news/article/?ID=2261

Posted by sharky in United States, 23 May 2012 09:44

Darn, doesn't seem to work with my ancient iPhone. Oh well.

Posted by BrickBob09 in United Kingdom, 23 May 2012 10:46

@supersympa; I also have a Nokia, but the N8 (smartphone).
Don't know how the Ovi store works, but I think it is possible to publish your own apps there, hint, hint ;)

Posted by Gimpygeek in United States, 23 May 2012 11:02

Hi All, downloaded the Android app to my 2 hours ago to My Samsung Galaxy S II. Logged into my Brickset account fine. but Alas no joy yet. I can not view any sets in my collection or Anything in the database for that matter. It seems not be syncing over WIFI or data connection. When I do a manual refresh, Android gives me a Force Quit dialog box.. Any Suggestions? Thanks for the Android love in any case.

Posted by Plasmodium in United Kingdom, 23 May 2012 11:28

"Powered by brickset.com - the friendliest and most comprehensive LEGO fan site on the Internet." Well, that's awfully nice of them! : )
Personally, I'm a little confused/overwhelmed by the amount of iPhone/Android/etc apps for Brickset and so on! Which one is the 'definitive' one? Which one does Huw think is best?

Posted by lego2010 in Mexico, 23 May 2012 13:01

¡¡¡¡It is great!!!!!

Posted by cjg in United States, 23 May 2012 13:23

So what does everyone think is the best iPhone Brickset app? There are at least three out now...

Posted by murphquake in United States, 23 May 2012 14:14

I'll be waiting for a BlackBerry app, though both the mobile and full site work great on my Bold 9900, and especially on my PlayBook.

ANDROID DEVS: your apps will easily port to run on the BlackBerry Playbook often with no extra coding. There's at least 4 LEGO related android apps in AppWorld already.

Posted by super curry max in United States, 23 May 2012 14:55

is there a way to transfer all my set info owned/wanted and stuff to the app? Or do i have to go through the entire app database to put in everything as ive done here on the site?

Posted by RikTheVeggie in Canada, 23 May 2012 21:36

Sorry for not being present to reply to comments, am busy trying to buy a house atm (not the best week to release the app I suppose..!)

For anyone that can't get the app to work, my apologies and I'll investigate the issues as soon as possible (I love Android but could do without the fragmentation issues). Please contact me on support@otissoft.co.uk so I can walk you through some diagnostic steps (I'll try to get a webpage up soon with known defects & how to get the log files).

The syncing should all happen in the background, it doesn't shown an icon yet and that's my bad - I'll get one in there for the next version. If sync doesn't seem to be doing anything for you, please go into Settings and activate 'force refresh' then try again (this causes the app to override Android's background sync options). If it still doesn't work, activate 'manual refresh' and try again (this causes the app to ignore Android's sync service and do it the old fashioned way).

@super curry max - the app should automagically sync all your data for you direct from brickset, no need to add it again manually. If it doesn't seem to work, please see my comments above!

@murphquake - by all means please test the app on the Playbook and let me know if it works, but I don't have one so can't test or offer any support.

Posted by RikTheVeggie in Canada, 23 May 2012 22:49

Have started a forum thread at http://www.bricksetforum.com/discussion/4892/mybrickset-discussion, please join me there for app-related discussions!

Posted by Legolijntje in Netherlands, 24 May 2012 09:53

Finally, an Android app!

Posted by mr_joshua in United States, 24 May 2012 13:05

Great app, there is one issue i am having with moto droid, droid2, and droid3:
-when keyboard is slid out, the display rotates as is should, but anything below the 'horizon' is lost and cannot be scrolled down.

The app DL'd fast and updated all my sets quick too...

Posted by murphquake in United States, 24 May 2012 16:04

@RikTheVeggie I'll see if some of the devs i talk to can get me the BAR so I can sideload, or if you're ok with it, submit it themselves... FYI RIM has been handing out PBs left and right to Devs, not sure what the current offer is but it's a sweet little tablet (especially if you run a BB, but great on wifi too) drop me an email murphquake AT gmail.com -bill

Posted by jonbuddy in United States, 26 May 2012 17:05

@Huw, Oh yeah. lol fail

Posted by murrayhenson in Poland, 27 May 2012 21:34

I downloaded Brick by Brick... great stuff! I used it the other day when trying to decide on a couple of sets. Huw, thanks for posting this!

Posted by palais in Australia, 28 May 2012 09:28

I don't know why the Brick by Brick developer doesn't charge for their app? I'd happily pay $1 or $2 for a nice app like that :)

Posted by DinkoH in Croatia, 28 May 2012 17:41

Hi!
I'm developer of Brick by Brick. If you have any ideas for the app or bugs you can report them to brick.by.brick(AT)limun-studio.hr
Since Brickset site has such a nice community I wanted to give something back so thats the reason why I'm not charging anything :) I work as an iOS developer and this was a side project in my free time so updates and new features will be implemented when I have free time, which isn't alot :( I have few ideas for application like iPad support, alternate images for sets, minifigures list, news feed and some other stuff...

Posted by palais in Australia, 30 May 2012 10:23

Well thank you DinkoH, it's a very nice app :)

Commenting has ended on this article.