Betfair trading on a tablet

[AnotherGeek]

Hi,
I'm thinking of developing an app for android tablets for trading on Betfair. But I'd like to know if anyone would actually use it.

Personally I like the idea of a more interactive trading experience, and with proper design I believe it could make trading more fun and comfortable.

In the interest of being upfront: if I were to make such an app I'm looking for monetary gain. Not a lot, but still. Which is why I'd like some feedback. I would like to avoid ads, so it would either be a one time fee or a small monthly fee. But of course the app has to have a certain level of quality, and be useful before I'll make people pay for it.

[custard]

People will always want to use the best software and the fastest internet connections at their disposal and would need to have an alternative which was very special to make them change their present method of trading. I think it would be extremely difficult to make faster software than The Toy and, personally, would not think of trading with a tablet when I could trade with a high powered pc and The Toy.

For trading, on the move, Android has its uses as it can be used to remotely control a pc.

[The Geek]

The reason I wouldn't touch it is,,,

1. Most trading requires substantial screen real estate. Tablets don't have that.

2. Apple is the current market leader by a mile, so you may end up wasting a lot of time on an app that is the equivalent of a Betamax or HD-DVD title.

3. Although Betfair are offering minor incentives for mobile app usage for a few more months, after that there will be none.

4. Betfair have their own in house mobile development team putting out free mobile apps, so you would have to come up with something very special to warrant a charge.

5. Even with the rise of the iPad etc, 90%+ of all internet / computer use is still done on Windows PCs.

[AnotherGeek]

Good points both of you. My idea was not to make a new tool to use instead of the current software, but rather another tool to use along the other tools available. Like in many other cases tablets will not/cannot replace the PC but can be used as a tool alongside.

I'd say in terms of power there's no problem with using a tablet for trading, assuming it's not the Chinese ripoffs you're using. it still comes down to your Internet connection's response time.

I'd imagine it would be most useful for in game trading like soccer or tennis, where reaction time isn't as important as in the horse racing markets.

[custard]

I have no knowledge at all of creating software. If you wish to make money, I think you should be looking at an area which is largely ignored by most manufacturers. So, instead of trying to compete with existing products you provide something unique. That area is automation. If you can create a product which can place programmed bets on Betfair, it will sell. It could work for all markets, including in-running horseracing. You should keep it as simple as possible allowing it place bets, green and distribute losses only.

[AnotherGeek]

Thanks for the advice, but that's not my main area of focus. I make apps for android, tablets and phones, and just wanted to know what the public thought of the idea of trading on a tablet.

If I decide not to do this project, I'll return to my other projects and research other ideas..

[custard]

Sorry, I didn't make myself clear. I advise you to make such an application, automated betting, for an Android phone. I would definitely consider buying it.

[jibiko]

I'd imagine it would be most useful for in game trading like soccer or tennis, where reaction time isn't as important as in the horse racing markets.

Speaking about soccer in-play (and I would dare say tennis also),
reaction time is very important, man.

Sometimes it can even be the difference between
a winning or losing trading session
(with trading session I mean a serie of trades inside a single match).

Don't underestimate reaction time, man.

just imho, of course.

[Temujin]

If you can beat programs like GT with an app you might have something, but I doubt you can. I mean seriously, so easy just to run the Toy remotely on a tablet that an app is just wasted. Who wants to run an app the is inferior, when they can just connect to a vps and run the real thing anyway?

Wasting your time I feel.....

[shadowninja]

Thanks for the advice, but that's not my main area of focus. I make apps for android, tablets and phones, and just wanted to know what the public thought of the idea of trading on a tablet.

If I decide not to do this project, I'll return to my other projects and research other ideas..

My main fear with trading on a tablet, bearing in mind I don't have chubby fingers, is that with a ladder, it would be so easy to fat-finger.

[AnotherGeek]

It seems like the interest isn't what I thought it was.

But I would like to add that in an app you can achieve, with optimised code of course, a performance close to what the toy has on a dual core tablet at least. the first quad core tablets should be available later this year (even more power) the wireless connection would be my biggest concern.

and your reaction time should be the same, if not faster, as if you were to use a PC. You don't have to move a mouse, just tap the screen.

if you run the toy on your PC and control it on a tablet you will have an inferior response time/performance compared to a native app.

I'm not going to claim I can make a better product for a tablet than the toy on a pc, but I can create another tool for people to use, if there is a need for it. Which it seems there isn't at the moment.

[AnotherGeek]

My main fear with trading on a tablet, bearing in mind I don't have chubby fingers, is that with a ladder, it would be so easy to fat-finger.

This is true, and I've thought of that. I believe I could find a solution to avoid this

[ebooks886]

Apps like these definitely have a place, especially for traders who wish to have a back-up connection in case of internet or computer woes!

[The Thinker]

Another Geek

I think your idea to make the software available for a tablet is a good one , there is a big gap in the market at present for people who want to trade in play at the course , at present you have only one options bring along a laptop and trade from a box ,but if you had your software for a tablet you could trade in running from anywhere on the course .

as Duncan Bannatyne says I'm in !!!!!

The Thinker

[Temujin]

Another Geek

I think your idea to make the software available for a tablet is a good one , there is a big gap in the market at present for people who want to trade in play at the course , at present you have only one options bring along a laptop and trade from a box ,but if you had your software for a tablet you could trade in running from anywhere on the course .

as Duncan Bannatyne says I'm in !!!!!

The Thinker

lol, or just use The Geeks Toy on your tablet or phone.... hmmm Not much thought put into that Thinker...