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Story by
kutty,
TechUpdates,
Vanessa,
zebrakitty
Published on May 1, 2009 in How-To |
Photo by |
The Etsy Developer Community, located at developer.etsy.com, serves as a hub for third-party software developers who are making neat and helpful programs for Etsy shoppers and sellers. 
We here at Etsy's blog, The Storque, started this Handmade Code series where we invite the developers to step up to the mic. Here's Daniel, maker of the new iPhone application "Etsy Addict"...
Say you're waiting at your bus stop with a coffee in one hand, and suddenly you're overcome by a sense of curiosity and anxiety: has your favorite Etsy seller listed any new items since you last checked twenty minutes ago? This is a condition known as Etsy addiction. Now, you have an iPhone, so you pull it out of your pocket, slide to unlock, fire up Safari, dig out your Etsy bookmark, wait for the page to load, click on Favorites... By then you realize that your bus has rumbled to a stop in front of you, and now you have to fish quarters out of your pocket WITHOUT spilling coffee on the driver or, worse, on your iPhone! You sigh.
That's where Etsy Addict comes in, a brand new app for iPhone and iPod Touch. Checking your favorite seller's new listings is now just a couple of taps away, and it's way faster than doing it via the browser, so you actually get to see stuff before your bus arrives. And everything's formatted just right for your iPhone or iPod's screen, so there's no awkward zooming and panning around. Even if you close it to pay the bus driver or check your email, Etsy Addict takes you right back to where you left off. Sweet!
And it works just as well in the car (as long as you're the passenger!), living room, office, coffee shop, bar (Quick! You have 2 minutes while your date is in the bathroom) or airport. Yes, my wife has actually made a purchase waiting to board a plane. A major source of inspiration for this app is my wife, Joyce (zebracakes on Etsy), who named the app, though you could also say that it's named after her.
Q: Where do we go to find it? What's the URL, etc?
It's available on the iTunes App Store for $0.99 USD. See http://danieldickison.com/etsyaddict
Q: Who is it for? 
It's designed exclusively for Etsy addicts! Of course, even if you don't think you're an addict, you're most likely in the denial stage. It's best to face the fact: Etsy Addict will let you lead a healthy life. (Of course, some may claim Etsy Addict simply feeds your addiction. I guess that's ok, too.)
I'd say that as of now, this app is more useful for Etsy shoppers than shop-keepers. But I do have plans for adding useful seller features in the near future (such as viewing recent feedback and sales), so stay tuned via the mailing list!
It was released on April 24th, which, by coincidence or perhaps fate, was Etsy Day. It looks like it's slowly gaining in popularity as the word gets out. I want to say thanks to everyone who has downloaded it already!
Q. How do you use it?
Whenever I write applications, I put myself in the shoes of the user. Actually, if it's a personal project like Etsy Addict, it's always exclusively about making an app that I personally want to use but doesn't exist yet (see the bus stop horror story, above). And, I figure that if I want something, there must be other people that do, too, especially with something as popular as Etsy and iPhone. And the new Etsy Developer API made this all possible.
Q. Are there any costs?
It costs $0.99 USD (also available in other currencies) to download on iTunes. You get free updates after that.
Q. What should one do if there's a bug or a problem? Who should one contact?
I always love receiving comments, questions, feature ideas and criticism. There's a mailing list, which is the best place to air these, or you can find my contact info here.
Q. What's one surprising/fun/amazing story you've heard about someone using your app? What is your favorite part about the app?
My favorite part is that it's so snappy. I put a lot of effort into making everything run smooth and quickly, and I think that's a key feature for a cell phone app.
The reviews on iTunes so far has been great! In fact, they're virtually all rational, fair and intelligible reviews, which is really refreshing considering the quality of some apps' reviews on iTunes. Maybe Etsy users are just that much cooler!
"So far, it's fast and attractive, just what etsy store owners would want for their customers."
— 5/5 stars by Etsy user smallbell
"I am an Etsy addict so I am thrilled that there is finally an app!"
— 4/5 stars by ZooplesAndCo
Q. Anything else you'd like to add?
Pictured is the Etsy Addict headquarters (aka our bedroom) in Pittsburgh, PA, and I'm wearing a t-shirt by kidpirate. If you squint, you can see the Etsy Addict source code in the background where I'm working on the first update. And I look disheveled from hay-fever sneezing all day long!
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kutty
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TechUpdates
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Vanessa
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zebrakitty
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89 comments Login to add your own!
diffractionfiber
TheLimeTree
MothHouse
adoreneko
Yay for iPhone applications that are actually useful.
Etsy shops really have the best and most unique iPod accessories.
uncharted
SASessories
ecofab
Very nice app. I already uploaded it and am having a lot of fun with it.
punkybunny300
Awesome! It'd be awesome if someone made something similar for blackberry though (or gave me an iphone :))! Since I can never view images when I'm just viewing Etsy with the blackberry browser :(
AlloverArt
dogties
BlueNostalgia
I am so happy! I don't go anywhere without my etsy or my iphone! Thank you!
capow
Piggy
daveconrey
Honestly, Etsy should have developed their own and given it away for free. Amazon's is free, Ebay's is free, every other site where you can buy stuff has a free one. Etsy should pay this guy for his time and give the app away.
slinkymalinkicat
Yippee!!! Fantastic news for an Etsy addict!!! I'm off to itunes now ........
BlueNostalgia
Update, downloaded, and it is definitely aimed to buyers. I find it easier to keep my shop pulled up in safari.
slinkymalinkicat
Got carried away there in the excitement ..... daveconrey is making a very good point.
theeye
Mattamorphis
Finally. I have been waiting my whole life for this:)
It's my birthday month!!
Tata!
bbbennyandthejet
allthosethrees
This is the first time I have ever actually wanted and iphone. Ever.
Legacy925
I just loaded this app on my iPod Touch and it's really nice to see new items, but I don't see how you would make a purchase and I can't add to my favorites, even after I log into my account. Need more information... help!
DalkullanJewelry
kathryncole
Oh Yeah! I was wishing for this. I am going to get this today!
sandali
AWESOME -- most indeed trigger happy days -- yippeeeeeeeeeeeeee ;)
TheBrassHussy
drat, I just got a new cell phone last month. I wish this would work for my Samsung Instinct.
daveconrey
The way I look at it, they want us to buy stuff and the best way to a sale is through a free portal. Etsy should pony up.
worksandfinds
Fabulous. I'm always happy to see new ideas. Etsy rules. I'm addicted forever.
jodieflowers
Eightybeerz
I have been waiting for this!!! I am so addicted to Etsy but I am sure my husband is not as excited as I am!!
jenmenkhaus
zebracakes
zombuki
irishandmore
Hooray! This might actually replace lol cats (icanhascheezburger.com) as my favorite app! Kudos!
craftsholic
pinkbeltrage
Woohoo! Just bought it! I've been dying for something like this. :D Thank you!!!
zeropumpkin
silverblayze
EpicBones
asundrynotion
Ditto comments that app should be free. Neat, but I really try to live DIY & use my valuable time to be more creative. More & more tech gadgets soak up more & more time; time is our most valuable resource. Use it wisely.
raegunfabric
slinkymalinkicat
DISAPPOINTMENT!!!!!! No front page view!!! I keep my favourites private and I am therefore unable to see them .........????!!!!!! This needs serious work???!!!!!!!! Admin????!!!!! I think you should really review this before you endorse it! A great idea but it needs some serious tweaking!!!
Slowshirts
maryjanefrances
EJPcreations
ScottieinaCanoe
youheartus
HibouCards
Ok so I'm already an Etsy addict but now I need the Iphone on top of that... this is starting to get expensive ;)
CutieDynamite
Oh lord, yet another reason for me to buy an iphone! Can't wait!
emandsprout
hoganfe
pamwares
awesome - finally a etsy app for my iphone! Next I want to see the treasuries via my iphone! hopes and dreams for this etsy addict!
BeadsInTheBelfry
step 1: be addicted. check
steps 2 & 3: get iPhone and application!
Very cool!
ExQuisiteInVitation
veryKIKI
AzitasSurprises
GoodNightLolaSue
i wish i had an iphone!!! i understand ppl wanting such an app for free, but c'mon, its 99 cents! and i'm sure the developer spent lots of time on this app and deserves 99 cents a pop! he's not employed by etsy or commisioned by etsy, its a 3rd party app, so why would etsy pay him?
ecogeneration
We need an app that's seller friendly so that we can renew, relist, view sold items, see forums, etc.. When will that be added???
TheCottageCheese
brownbagvintage
oooh.. just when i thought my iphone couldn't get any better.... ahhhh....
marcelostworld
Kirsty2715
endlesswhimsy
I was wondering when we'd be able to get something like this!
monkeyandsquirrel
oh, lucky duckies! now i just have to wait for one to come out for the blackberry. etsy crackberry?
ClareBears
DewberryVintage
truLuxe
I'm firing up App Store this very minute! I've been doing an App Search for "Etsy" for months... finally it's here. I can't wait to see what it offers... Safari on the iPhone doesn't allow you to look at treasuries... will the new app? hmmmm... I'm checking it out!
BayMoonDesign
rara8080
SouthernSweets
Oh no......I have 2 addictions:
1) Iphone
2) Etsy
A combination of both...
I'm never going to get my work done. :)
sisterbutterfly
CollectionObsession
I knew I needed an iPhone, but didn't know why ---- until now!
nectorgirl
THIS IS THE BEST!!! I CAN'T WAIT TO DL IT!!! YEESSSS! THANK YOU!!!
johannai
GlamRockEmporium
vivilian
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Awesome!!
PeculiarForest
Reparapy
just downloaded the app and all i can say is WOW!!!! i really appreciate how fast it is and how easy to show people my shop now! thanks so much for making this and i look forward to seeing the seller features added in the future!
poesia
BluCille
How about an article on etiquette next? Stop checking etsy on your iphone at dinner!
LittleLadyCompany
flanchico
Kelko
moop
awesome. i'm putting this on my phone now (and Moop just moved to Pittsburgh, so glad to see that's where you're from!)
thanks!
Tina669
kimmae86
lifeisa1wayticket
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