Wordpress for iPhone 2: Mobile Blogging Just Got Easier
The new version of Wordpress for iPhone just arrived in the App Store (iTunes link). While the first version was already quite usable, this update brings a number of new features and usability enhancements to the Wordpress experience on the iPhone. The new interface makes it easier to switch between comments, posts and pages. The comments interface now also displays Gravatars. Throughout the app, the Wordpress team has tweaked the interface and it's now easier to manage your blog from the iPhone.
Features
The new version also now automatically saves posts and restores them if the network connection is lost during the publishing process.
Just like the first version, Wordpress for iPhone 2 is an open-source program.
It's important to note that this new version will not appear as an update to the old version. Instead, users will have to install a new app, which can run side-by-side with the older version.
The new version, of course, still offers the same basic feature set as the earlier version. These include support for multiple blogs, photo uploads and post previews, as well as full support for tags, categories and password protected posts.
Blogging on the iPhone
There can be little doubt that the iPhone - or any mobile phone for that matter - isn't the ideal platform for writing long, thoughtful blog posts. Maybe that's why Wordpress for iPhone 2 puts more emphasis on comment moderation than the first version.
For a quick blog post on the road, though, the app is perfectly adequate, especially if you just want to upload a few pictures. It's not as easy to use as the more specialized PicPosterous, but Wordpress for iPhone 2 is a far more flexible application and Wordpress has a different user in mind for this app.
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It's a more polished-looking app... but I wish it would let me edit comments. Often that's a critical part of moderation/animation.
Why is this a "new" app and not an update to the original?
Frederic,
Nice post. I didn't notice that you couldn't edit comments from the interface. It's pretty cool.
I wrote a review of the Wordpress 2 iPhone app entirely on my iphone.
I like that you can put photos and screen captures into posts right from the software.
Good job,
Chris
That's a great news... I will download and try it. ;-)
However, I am looking forward to have a feature for me to edit the capture and title of the photos and the ability to update into the Wordpress gallery.
I like it so far but I don't see why they couldn't have made the installation a simple update rather than a new install. It confuses a lot of people. I agree with @RobCottingham that being able to edit comments is important. But, I think this app is a good improvement and step in the right direction. http://ow.ly/xIAp
Try this one if you want to blog from your mobile: http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/wordpress-mobile-admin/
It's called WordPRess Mobile Admin and it has gravatar support built in as well as post/page creation (with photo upload) and comment moderation.
You can use it from your browser so no fiddly install - and if you have another phone, you can use it on there as it works on ALL devices.
LEt me know what you think!
I must admit I have been postponing figuring out this mobile device insanity. I use wordpress for the online business cookbook blog and i have yet to see how our blog is working on an iPhone or Blackberry. I guess I sort of secretly despise these devices, since the immature use of them often ruins a good read in the local coffee shop or bookstore.
I don’t know if it’s being implemented but how about a “back link” to the old theme. Perhaps some users want to see the site not in the iPhone mode but in the normal mode.