Comments on: National Film Board of Canada iPhone app

By: Jon

Jon — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 21:47:04 +0000

@ Jon Stang:

‘… I remain steadfast in my opinion that they have acted reasonably and responsibly with their money.’

You’re certainly entitled to your opinion: I’m with the poster above you.

If the NFB had been able to announce, ‘NFB films can now be viewed on all video-capable phones, everywere,” that would have been an accomplishment.

And it wasn’t their money. It was ours.

Cheers!

By: Jon Strang

Jon Strang — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 21:10:55 +0000

I’d just like to clarify. I think that the 20k spent here is completely justifiable. The app is stunning and, I think, a success. From an operational point of view, the NFB can now show something to Heritage Canada and say that they want to replicate this on other platforms. They are much more likely to be granted that money now that they’ve drawn international acclaim over their iPhone app. Frankly, I think upwards of $100,000 would be completely justifiable to get this on all major platforms. This iPhone app is just the beginning of a long process to get their stuff out there.

Not to mention that their website offers the same content to be viewed on all internet devices right now.

If you want someone to blame, then blame ALL the smartphone device makers for making their OS’s incompatible with one another.

The NFB has spent a reasonable sum of money for a great product. I sincerely do hope they persevere and make it available for all. But I remain steadfast in my opinion that they have acted reasonably and responsibly with their money. If they had tried to do too much at once, they would have failed to accomplish anything. I think you fail to underestimate the scale, budget, and motivation of the NFB and their funding sources.

By: Reader's Write

Reader's Write — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 13:55:33 +0000

they have stated that they are investigating other mobile phone versions

Its a fekkin disgrace. They should have done it all together instead of favoring one company.

Unfekkinbeievable. Way to go NFB!

By: Anthony

Anthony — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 00:54:46 +0000

Balanced article? Articles with iPod in them never have a balanced perspective. It is hard to understand why someone will complain about one article which gives a unique perspective about everything iPod. Honestly, this article is refreshing.

By: Jon

Jon — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 00:48:00 +0000

Sorry, Jon, if that was $20K for an app to allow anyone with a video-capable celphone to access NFB flicks, I’d agree.

However, we’re in accord on one thing: it’s a(nother) huge achievement — for Apple.

Cheers!

By: Jon Strang

Jon Strang — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 22:44:53 +0000

At under $20,000, this iPhone app was quite a deal for the NFB. And they have stated that they are investigating other mobile phone versions. Not to mention the catalogue is available online for all to view on their website.

It would have been ideal if they were already well advanced on those fronts, but this iPhone app remains a huge achievement.

Maybe you should try writing more balanced articles that reflect multiple perspectives.