We haven't gone away! :)
10/12/2009 8:30:55 PM
Hey everyone - just a quick note to let you know that we are still working hard behind the scenes on some VERY cool stuff coming out for Buddy in the next few weeks. We've been slammed with other efforts until now (one project was my wedding!) but we're back on game.
Got comments? You can always email us at info at buddy.com and we'd be delighted to chat with you about features, suggestions and cool new stuff!
Cheers, Dave.
Apple approves Buddy v1.2.5
6/24/2009 1:59:26 AM
Hi all:
Just a quick note to let you know that Buddy v1.2.5 went live in the Apple app store today, and so all users with device firmware version v2.1 and higher will be able to update their Buddy version to the newest release.
We're thrilled the update was published - it was sitting in the review queue for about a month - and we already have another update in the queue as of tonight!
Thanks again for your continued support for Buddy - look for one more "maintenance release" (v1.2.6 - coming as soon as Apple approves it), and then back to major feature releases with v1.3!
Cheers, Dave.
Working on a new update + TheAppShow.com interview!
5/11/2009 1:26:39 PM
Hi folks:
Just a quick note to let you know that I did an interview on "The App Show" yesterday with Steve and Dave. Cool guys - lots of fun, and a good chat. They're clearly excited about Buddy, and I can't wait to show them some of the new features. Boy - I almost let the cat out of the bag with some of the really cool stuff we're doing! Go check out
http://www.theappshow.com to take a listen or even subscribe!
Yes, we have a new update for Buddy in the works - a couple new features, some fixes, and preparations for iPhone v3.0. Exciting stuff! Don't forget - if you have a feature you'd like to see - post a note on
http://forums.buddy.com!
Cheers, Dave.
v1.2 update is here!
4/19/2009 1:27:02 PM
Hi all:
Just a quick note to let you know that Apple released Buddy v1.2 live to the app store late last night, and so you can now go and update your devices to get this new version! Note that v1.2 requires Apple's v2.2 firmware for iPhone and iPod, so if you don't have that update, you won't see the application in the store or any updates.
Cheers, Dave.
Buddy v1.2 is off to Apple!
4/11/2009 11:56:20 AM
Great news folks!
We shipped Buddy v1.2 off to Apple last night, so it should appear in the App Store real soon. Here's some of the new features:
1) Enter your email address to be notified when you receive messages or gifts
2) "Celebrity Mode" - randomize your location within a 1mi radius, so as to not disclose your exact position (but still be relevant in search results)
3) "Prime Minister Mode" - remove your map pushpin on
http://buddy.com so you don't appear on the map
4) New fields visible in your Buddy Profile - ethnicity, sexual orientation, body type
5) LOTS of bug fixes in messages, list scrolling and general stability and performance.
We're super excited to get this release out the door since it means we can now officially start work on our BIG v1.3 release which is going to bring some truly AWESOME new features to the table. Can't wait to share more details with you - come join the conversation over at
http://forums.buddy.com!
Cheers, Dave.
Buddy v1.2 is on the way!!!
4/6/2009 9:37:24 PM
I know it's been a while since I posted - been heads down doing lots of work on our v1.2 and next version after that plans. But... I've also been traveling - a couple of weeks ago I went to Korea and Japan to have some meetings and also to meet local Buddy users - a big cheerio to all the Buddies out there in Seoul and Tokyo! Great times in Asia - always love visiting, and you can always expect phenomenal hospitality.
Last week I visited England, Ireland and Scotland - more meetings, and more meetups. Great to swing through and thanks for those who took the time to say hi!
As for our next release of Buddy - we have a new release coming pretty soon, hopefully even this week (at least submitting to Apple). A few new features, but a LOT of stability and performance improvements which will be great to lead into a v1.3+ release with awesome new functionality and a lot of your requests answered.
Don't forget, you can go to
http://forums.buddy.com to engage in discussion about favorite new features - and never hesitate to send me mail with your comments (dave at buddy dot com).
Thanks - and I'll see you online!
Cheers, Dave.
I'm back!
3/8/2009 6:37:33 PM
Hey folks - just a quick "hey" to say we've been heads down working on the next release of the Buddy iPhone app, not to mention some really cool new functionality on the Buddy.com website. We're SUPER excited to show it to you - we're hopefully around a week (or a fraction more) from submitting the next Buddy update to the App Store. Good times.
In the meantime, if you're in the Seattle region, or planning to be around the weekend of March 28th, come see us at the "Bonza Bash" -
http://bonzabash.com. We'll be co-sponsoring the event, which is billed as one of Seattle's largest black tie parties. Love to see you there!
Best of luck - Dave.
Buddy v1.1 APPROVED by Apple!
2/10/2009 10:32:25 PM
Hi folks:
Just a quick update to let you know that our Buddy v1.1 shipped from the Apple app store today - and we couldn't be more pleased. The app has had a MAJOR overhaul of fixes and new features in v1.1 and so we encourage users to update to v1.1 ASAP.
We've added new features like the ability to delete messages & gifts, see who's online currently, see distances from you, more easily set genders, view profiles from the message/chat window, and lots of stability fixes.
This is far from the end of the road - we're already working on a v1.2 which will have some MAJOR new enhancements - can't wait to share those with you soon!
In the meantime - go check out v1.1 from the app store.
Cheers, Dave.
Buddy update...
2/4/2009 10:43:29 AM
Hey folks:
Well, it's been an interesting few days - let me explain what happened to the promised update. As you saw in my previous blog posts, we submitted a feature rich update to Buddy to Apple. We found out yesterday that it was rejected by Apple - between submitting the update and yesterday, Apple released firmware version v2.2.1 - and something in the update causes the Buddy update to crash.
So, Apple notified us of the issue, we've fixed the problem, and we're submitting Buddy v1.1 *TODAY*! This is great news - and here are some of the features:
* Delete messages
* Delete gifts
* View profiles from message window
* View "next 20" users
* Substantial performance improvements
* Crashing bugs fixed
* We now show online status, age, gender, distance in the Buddy List
* Search for Buddies who are online now
... and more. This release will be available as soon as Apple approves it, but we're super excited about getting these features in your hands! We're also super excited because that means we can start working on v1.2 today. Remember, we're always looking for beta testers too - check out
http://forums.buddy.com.
Thanks all for your patience, we're SO looking forward to getting this v1.1 out there into your hands!
Thanks, Dave.
Update to Buddy submitted!
1/24/2009 1:21:50 PM
Hi folks:
Well, we submitted our first update to Buddy to Apple overnight in the wee hours. Lately I hear updates and approvals have been processed very quickly - so fingers crossed. Lots of good stuff added to the application with this new v1.05 update:
1) Buddy List: now shows age/gender of each Buddy
2) Buddy List: now shows distance of each Buddy
3) Buddy List: now shows online status of each Buddy
4) Added delete messages and delete gifts functionality
5) Added ability to view profile of Buddy you're currently messaging
6) Added color to gender selection to help clarify (too many guys listed as women to date!)
7) Replaced text "Send Message" with Buddy recipient's username
8) Fixed two crashing bugs - expect greater stability
So, while we didn't think this was a full "dot" release (hence the v1.05 - our next one will be v1.1), but I think a fairly feature packed update nonetheless. Love to know your thoughts, or requests for new features at
http://forums.buddy.com!
Cheers, Dave.
Readying an update to Buddy!
1/23/2009 12:20:21 PM
Hi folks:
Well, the weekend is almost upon us - for some in the Buddy universe it is already here. The good news is that we've spent all this week working on the first update to Buddy to address the comments and requests you've all had. Just so you know, we read all the review feedback on iTunes and participate in feature request conversations in our forums (
http://forums.buddy.com). We've decided to release an update (hopefully this weekend) that address almost all the key requests and complaints raised so far.
To be clear, some features were tough decisions to make to _exclude_ from v1.0 - the ability to delete messages for example was just not something we could do and do well, in that timeframe. However, I think you're going to be really pleased with the fixes and new features we're adding in the next couple of days.
A reminder: if you want to get early access to beta releases of Buddy, or would like to participate in helping to decide new features, we'd love to see you in the forums. Most of the discussion currently is going on amongst our team of ~50 beta testers in a hidden part of the forum. The get access, simply visit
http://www.buddy.com/beta and follow the instructions there!
Thanks all, and happy weekend!
Cheers, Dave.
What a great start!
1/20/2009 6:22:33 PM
Well, folks - what a great start Buddy has had!!! Thanks to you all, we launched on Saturday evening (after midnight - technically Sunday on the US east coast) and immediately racked up thousands of users. We're growing at a rate of knots - so keep checking back, you'll notice more and more people in your Buddy list as time goes on.
I've had a number of messages from people with feature requests, or suggestions. Love to hear them - keep 'em coming, but don't forget we'll be having open discussions on http://forums.buddy.com re: new features and would love your thoughts to be posted there for others to see and comment on too.
Also don't forget that we're still looking for more beta testers. Our current beta testers are already trying out our next release, so if you like to play with software and would enjoy tinkering with early builds of our next release, please sign up and get involved! Details are also available at the forums.
Thanks everyone - and keep messaging up a storm and sending those gifts! :)
Cheers, Dave.
Wow you guys know how to send messages!
1/19/2009 12:35:57 AM
Yikes! Our first full day and we've been inundated with new Buddies joining the system - but that was NOTHING compared to the squillions of messages you guys sent! I'll release some fun numbers a little later, but damn - no wonder the wireless companies make a fortune on SMS messages!
Anyhow - I've had a few folks ask me about adding more gifts to the Gift Marketplace. Short answer - LOVE TO! If you have an idea for a gift for the marketplace, DEFINITELY post it in the forums (
http://forums.buddy.com).
Happy "end of weekend" everyone!
Dave.
Download the Buddy app now!
1/17/2009 9:32:02 PM
So apparently it takes ~24 hours for all Apple's servers to replicate and the Buddy app to appear in all the stores. In the meantime, visit here:
... to get the Buddy app for your iPod Touch or iPhone!
Thanks, Dave.
We've launched!
1/17/2009 8:42:45 PM
Welcome to our new Buddies! Just a few hours ago we launched in the Apple app store, and so we now welcome the masses (hopefully!). For those just joining us, welcome - as we grow and add more users (and issue new releases with new features) we hope you'll come to love Buddy!
Thanks, and welcome!
Dave.
v1.0 is DONE!
1/15/2009 2:54:12 PM
Well, a momentous day for us yesterday - late last night we spun our final v1.0 build and today we're submitting to Apple's app store. Mmmm, I love the smell of app store submission in the morning!
Needless to say we're super stoked by the progress that has been made, and really impressed with the help of our dedicated beta testers (you can tell who they are by the "Beta Tester" designation their posts have in the Buddy Forums -
http://forums.buddy.com). Rock on gang!
So now we just have the count-down until Apple approves us and we become generally available. Good times all round, folks!
Thanks! Dave.
Buddy Beta launches!
1/4/2009 1:47:46 AM
Well a very exciting day today - we launched the first limited public release of Buddy - a beta test program for up to 95 testers. We're stoked to have folks from around the world lined up to test Buddy before we submit to the App store, so thanks to those involved.
Cheers, Dave.
Buddy Forums have launched!
12/31/2008 4:28:32 PM
Go check out
http://forums.buddy.com for a place to engage in discussion about Buddy, our platform and the community. Love to hear your thoughts, feature requests, and even complaints!
Cheers, Dave.
Buddy Beta Program
12/31/2008 4:27:45 PM
Both Jeff and I have a long history in software development, and so as a result we've been well schooled in the importance of releasing quality software. Of course in a platform as new as the iPhone, there are undoubtedly teething issues - even now - and the multitude of crashes customers are seeing on a variety of apps for the device is testament to that.
However, we intend to do our very best to release quality software. To that extent, we're about to kick off our "Buddy Beta Program" - and if you're interested in helping us out, check out
http://www.buddyplatform.com.
Cheers, Dave.
As the snow clears in Seattle...
12/27/2008 4:26:47 PM
Well, it's been a fairly trying past week or two for many in the US - and here in Seattle we've been snowed in, and ice-bound. However, it has provided us with a great opportunity to make substantial progress on Buddy - both the website and the iPhone app. We're definitely looking forward to beta testing and then launching it - and remember, if you have any ideas for the product - be sure to click on "Contact" to send us mail!
Thanks, Dave.
A little bit about Buddy.com
9/11/2008 11:10:32 AM
Hi Everyone!
Welcome to Buddy.com and in particular, to our "Buddy Blog". We're super excited to be bringing our "Buddy" product to you, and hope you enjoy using it to meet new buddies!
"Buddy" is a new location-aware, social networking application and website that promises to bring new excitement and interest to social networking. Where most social networks rely on the user entering their own data (which can be false), Buddy's primary offering is that it combines real-time location awareness with the key drivers of traditional social networking.
There are two key components to Buddy - a mobile application (see our iPhone application, versions for Windows Mobile and Android coming soon!) and a website. Buddy users can either visit
http://buddy.com here to see a real-time map of "Buddies" all over the world to communicate with or use the mobile device application. In either case, users can search for people in the Buddy network who are looking for similar buddies as they are. Perhaps you're looking for a "jogging buddy" or a "drinking buddy" or a "dating buddy"? You can even be looking for "Any Buddy" - regardless, Buddy allows users to find new people - not just their existing friends - who not only match their criteria, but who are near them at any given point.
Unlike most social networking products, Buddy allows for the concept of immediacy - finding someone who both satisfies your criteria AND is immediately near you is a concept that has not been previously addressed. Buddy doesn't just connect users - it connects them here and now.
We hope you enjoy using Buddy - if you have any direct feedback, don't hesitate to send it to us at
dave@buddy.com. I look forward to hearing from you!
Cheers, Dave.