Transcript for the 2/16/14 #storyappchat

Transcript for the 2/16/14 #storyappchat

Transcript for the February 16, 2014 #storyappchat, our weekly Twitter gathering where we discuss all things related to creating storybook apps and ebooks for kids. Tonight’s topic: An Informal Roundup of All the DIY App Creation Tools. Remember: join us every Sunday night at 9 PM ET/6 PM PT!

Transcript for the 5/26/13 #storyappchat: Developing for Android

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Wow, I am really sorry I had to miss this discussion, because it was full of great links, resources, stats and opinions on creating apps for Android, from people who have been there. Luckily for me, though, I have access to this transcript (just like you) which contains a rather plain but complete capture of the entire thing. So I can benefit from last night’s wisdom, almost as if I was there in person!

Don’t miss the next #storyappchat on June 2, when we’ll discuss the pros and cons of skeuomorphic interfaces. Details later, but plan to join us at 9:00 p.m. Eastern/6:00 p.m. Pacific!

Topic for the 5/26/13 #storyappchat: Developing for the Android Platform

We talk a lot about the iPad here on #storyappchat, but Android remains a powerhouse player in the mobile market, both in the U.S. and worldwide.

So, what are the challenges when developing for Android? What are some tools that make this process easier, and what are some things to keep in mind when creating storybook apps specifically for Android? What are the known pitfalls to avoid, and what’s it like using the Google Play Store vs. the Apple App Store?

Let’s get together this Sunday, May 26 to chat about developing for the Android mobile platform. We’ll kick things off at 9:00 p.m. Eastern/6:00 p.m. Pacific. First time? No sweat. Just start tweeting using the #storyappchat hashtag, and we will welcome you to the discussion. Looking forward to seeing you there!

Transcript for the 3/31/13 #storyappchat: Ron Martinez

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Illuminating chat last night, not just about the capabilities of Aerbook, but also about the current state of children’s app/ebook publishing in general, and where we might be headed. Huge thanks to @RonMartinez [Aerbook’s founder] for helming our discussion–I think Aerbook is definitely a platform to keep an eye on over the next several months.

Remember, we hold our little roundtable every Sunday evening at 9:00 p.m. Eastern/6:00 p.m. Pacific, so clear some space in your calendar for the next chat, OK?

Guest Host for the 3/31/13 #storyappchat: Ron Martinez

The tools available to writers/illustrators of interactive books continue to evolve. One of the most exciting new packages to come out recently is Aerbook Cloud Publishing, a browser-based platform which allows you to export content in a number of different formats, including iBooks, Kindle, and iOS/Nook/Fire app projects.

The founder of Aerbook is Ron Martinez, and we’re thrilled to have him host this Sunday’s #storyappchat. Among other things, he’ll answer our questions about the migration of app-like experiences to the eBook store, the differences in discovery and pricing, and what the limitations and opportunities are across the various platforms. And if the topic isn’t enough to interest you, Ron will be giving away some export credits for those who are able to pop into the chat.

Don’t miss this one! We’ll kick things off at 9:00 p.m. Eastern/6:00 p.m. Pacific this Sunday, March 31. Looking forward to seeing YOU there!

Topic for the 2/17/13 #storyappchat: Music

Back in the olden days of, say, about five years ago, the idea of music in a book mainly consisted of board books with oversized sound chip buttons for toddlers, interactive stories on CD-ROM and proprietary systems like LeapPad products. But things have changed, haven’t they? Nowadays storybook apps and even ebooks can be greatly enhanced with the right soundtrack.

A good example of this is the brand-new storybook People Are Like Lollipops by Annie Fox. The music chosen for the read-aloud iBook version is both appropriate (Far East music to go with the wise shaman in the story) and unobtrusive, so it doesn’t detract from the book’s message. Nicely done!

How did you choose music for your electronic story? If you decided to leave it out, why? Let’s talk about the use of music in interactive storybook apps and ebooks during the next #storyappchat on Sunday, February 17 at 9:00 p.m. Eastern/6:00 p.m. Pacific. Bring along your favorite resources for royalty-free tracks, high-quality composers for custom work, and everything in between!

Transcript for the 2/10/13 #storyappchat: Discoverability

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The general consensus from last night seems to be that we’re in a bubble of sorts, with lots of people crowding the app and ebook marketplace. Adam Winsor said it best when he summarized the chat in this tweet:

Thanks all! Conclusion: Wait out the gold rush, make high-quality apps, seek international and niche markets. #storyappchat

— Adam Winsor (@drawbeard) February 11, 2013

For those who might like a little more detail, feel free to peruse the transcript of last night’s chatter above.

And don’t miss next week’s chat about… Music! It’ll kick off at 9:00 p.m. Eastern/6:00 p.m. Pacific time next Sunday, February 17. See you then!