The final countdown

Posted on April 3, 2013 by admin

Dear VikingSpotters,

This is it: today, we have actually shut down the VikingSpots website and the apps will be taken offline shortly after. Why this seemingly drastic measure? Because today, we are setting free our new application: CityLife Beta.

Keep in mind this also means we won’t be blogging anymore on VikingSpots and we won’t be adding any more news through our VikingSpots Twitter feed or Facebook page. Also, the apps will be taken offline very shortly!

CityLife Beta?

With the free mobile application CityLife, you can discover what’s happening nearby and you can find the things you like in new and exciting places. You can create your favorite spots, leave notes about them, share your notes with everyone on CityLife or with friends only and you can let your friends know where you are. On top of all this, you can get rewarded for shopping, going to restaurants, bars etc. Basically, you get rewarded for doing the things you enjoy the most.

CityLife is a new app, it is not a mere update of the VikingSpots app! So if you’d like to check it out, pay a little visit to the App store or to Google Play to download it or surf to http://web.citylifeapp.com with your phone for our web app.

Find out everything there is to know about the app on our CityLife website (including the Terms and Conditions), or visit our Facebook page or check us out on Twitter.

Get rewarded for doing the things you like?

When visiting shops, restaurants, boutiques, bars etc., the owners can reward you for your visits. How? With CityCoins! By creating CityCoins, we’ve given businesses a new way to reward their customers for their loyalty: CityCoins are our homemade loyalty points.

Find out everything there is to know about CityCoins on www.getcitycoins.com: where to earn them, where to spend them. Most of the offers are currently situated in the cities of Ghent, Leuven and Hasselt.

What about Viking Points and VikingSpots?

Does this change anything for your Viking Points? Absolutely not! Your Viking Points are still Viking Points; they simply exist next to your CityCoins. Check your Viking Points balance on www.mobilevikings.com; check your CityCoins balance on www.getcitycoins.com. Easy, simple, neat.

Even though VikingSpots is no longer online, the spots you created within VikingSpots are now the base for our spots within CityLife. So, VikingSpots users helped create the new CityLife!

See you soon, on CityLife!

Almost there!

Posted on March 26, 2013 by admin

Dear VikingSpotters,

As mentioned before, we are slowly closing down our VikingSpots platform, and at the same time, we are getting ready for our new platform CityLife.

What does this mean for VikingSpots users?

We are currently making sure all deals are getting set up on CityLife. Once that’s all done, we will be shutting down both the VikingSpots website and the apps completely. Yes, completely! The website will be closed down for everyone and the apps will be taken offline shortly after.

There is nothing to worry about however. You’ll be able to log in to the CityLife website and to the CityLife application with your existing VikingSpots account, you’ll find new offers within the CityLife app, you’ll still be able to create spots, add friends and share the things you like with them.

So when is this all going down?

Very soon, it’s just a matter of days! So prepare yourself for the end of VikingSpots and definitely keep an eye on the CityLife website, the CityLife Facebook page and our Twitter feed! Because as soon as the new platform goes live, you’ll no longer be able to log in to the VikingSpots website. You’ll still be able to use the apps for a while, but they will be taken offline shortly after CityLife goes live.

See you soon, on CityLife!

D-Day for VikingSpots

Posted on March 18, 2013 by admin

Dear VikingSpotters,

We are currently replacing the VikingSpots platform by our new and improved system CityLife.

What does this mean for you, as a user? You can still leave comments, do your check-ins or follow spots, but all the VikingSpots deals will be taken offline. So redeeming coupons will no longer be possible. Not to worry though, we will transfer our merchants and their deals to CityLife in no time! Also, you won’t be able to check your Viking Point balance for now.

What does this mean for you, as a merchant?

First, you will no longer be able to log in or register as a professional on the VikingSpots website.

Second, if you have any deals online at the moment, they will be taken offline automatically.

No reason to panic however: our market scouts to the rescue!

If you’re a registered merchant, our market scouts will get in touch with you asap. They will help you get you up and running again within the new platform of CityLife in a record time.

More info about CityLife? Check out www.citylifeapp.com or get in touch with our market scouts via info@citylifeapp.com.

See you all on CityLife!

Out with the old, in with the new

Posted on February 5, 2013 by admin

A little bit of history

Almost a year ago, we launched our VikingSpots application. You added over 30.000 spots and thus gave us an enormous amount of information about the places you like to hang out at and all the different spots you find in your neighborhood. You’ve been redeeming deals, adding friends, checking in… This year, after a lot of research, development and feedback, we are incorporating all that valuable information into our new platform.

A little bit of action

So in 2013, we’re stepping it up a notch and we’re going all the way: if VikingSpots was stage 1, we’ve now entered stage 2. What’s the difference? With the information you provided in and with VikingSpots, we now want to suggest relevant content to you.

Human language please? Relevant content is information we give back to you, based on your location, your age, your profile, on the current time, on your interests, the current weather, on opening times etc. If you need to know where the closest pharmacy is or if you’re just bored out of your mind and need some inspiration: we come to the rescue!

And whereas with VikingSpots we focused on our existing Viking community primarily, we now want to welcome everyone to our new platform. Because, after all, why not let the entire world enjoy this new way of living of ours?

CityLife

Our mission is to bring your cities alive in our platform and in the app on your phone. We want you to rediscover your own cities and to go discovering new ones. We want you to be the first to find that one little café, store, event or corner shop no one else knows about yet. That is why we’ve deemed it fit to name this new product CityLife.

At the moment though, we are still learning and still developing, so we’re not quite ready for lift-off. We’ve started working with some test groups however for our web app, and we’ll definitely be keeping you posted about any news. But of course, with a new name, come other new beginnings. So we’d like to invite you all immediately to like the new Facebook page, to follow the new Twitter feed and to keep an eye on the new blog, on our new website: www.citylifeapp.com.

Hey but… wait! What about VikingSpots?

You love the VikingSpots app and you’re using it every day? Not to worry, you can keep using it as much as you want for now. The more you use it, the bigger your head start once you start using the CityLife app. The comments you’ve made, the spots you’re following, the friends you’ve added… all will be transferred to CityLife.

We won’t be releasing any more updates of the VikingSpots app however. So definitely also keep an eye on our CityLife blog and stay up to date about what else we’ve got in store for you!

Ready for testing: web app, part 2

Posted on February 1, 2013 by admin

For those who have been testing our new web app these past two weeks: we hope you’ve enjoyed it so far. We’ve received loads of feedback already, so thank you very much for that!

Haven’t been testing the web application of our new platform? Want to? Just send us a quick email (info@vikingspots.com) and we’ll try to get you started straight away!

What’s new today?

Until now, we only showed the ‘Time for lunch’ channel in the web app. If you open the web app now however, you should see four extra channels:

-       a channel about cultural places to visit
-       a channel about places where you can go shopping
-       a channel about places where you can buy your groceries
-       a channel about spots of public transport.

On top of that, Windows Phone 7.5 owners can now start testing as well! You’ll find the web app on https://webapp.vikingspots.com.

Feedback?

Hit the feedback button in the web app or send an email to info@vikingspots.com, tom@vikingspots.com or taissa@vikingspots.com. The choice is yours, as always.

Happy testing!

Ready for testing: as of today!

Posted on January 18, 2013 by admin

Now that was exciting! Last week, we organized three information sessions, in Leuven, Ghent and Hasselt and it was interesting, to say the least!

First of all, we’d like to thank you for subscribing and for attending our sessions. You have already been a great help!

What was it all about?

Last year, we launched our app called VikingSpots. You added over 30.000 spots, thus putting the entire country on the VikingSpots map.

This year, we’re building a new and open platform, which will suggest relevant information and services. Suggestions will be based on time, on your location, on your interests etc. The spots you created before and the deals merchants are already offering in the VikingSpots app, will be integrated in the new platform and could thus be suggested to you, if relevant for you of course.

The new platform will include a website, an Android app, an iOS app and finally a web app. And some of you will able to test the web app as of today!

Who can test the web app?

We are currently not supporting all the different devices. At the moment, you can test the web app if you have:

- Android 4.0 and up;
- iPhone 4 and up;
- iPad 2 with iOS 5 and up.

We will be adding new devices and versions in the following weeks, so if you can’t test today, keep an eye on our blog: we will let you know which new devices you can go crazy with and test the web app with.

Our goal of course is that most devices and versions can use the web app: Android, iPhone and Windows Phone!

Android users: don’t forget to enable location services. Check this link to find out how.

So, where can you get the web app?

You’ll find it on http://webapp.vikingspots.com. If you already have a Mobile Vikings or a VikingSpots account, you can simply register with that one. If not, just register with a new account.

You’ll be asked to check the Non Disclosure Agreement before you can test. Find the full text here. With the agreement, we’re simply asking you not to disclose any information to the press, to your blogs etc., and we’re asking you not to take advantage if you happen to stumble upon any bugs we might have left in there.

What about updates?

As promised, we will be updating the web app on a regular basis, even during the testing period. Your web app will receive these updates automatically, but we will also list the changes and new features on this very blog. So, don’t forget to keep an eye on it and to check your web app regularly of course.

As of now, you can:

- log in and/or register (with your Viking account if possible);
- test the Discover function (restaurants channel only);
- see the spots details;
- love spots and comments;
- check in (‘I’m here’);
- leave notes;
- search for spots and friends.

What if you have feedback for us?

Don’t hesitate to send us your feedback or questions. Testing will go on until the end of February, but we would love to receive your feedback and tips before then. You can do so by using the feedback button within the web app (go to the Menu to find it), by lodging them on http://feedback.vikingspots.com or by emailing them to info@vikingspots.com, taissa@vikingspots.com or tom@vikingspots.com. The choice is entirely yours. The sooner we receive your feedback, the sooner we can use and include your tips!

The web app doesn’t suggest any places you like? Keep in mind that the web app needs to learn which places, deals, spots and friends it should suggest to you. Keep using the web app as much as you can and the suggestions should keep getting better and better. And if they don’t, hit that feedback button!

Missed out?

Missed the sessions and didn’t subscribe on http://test.vikingspots.com, but you would still like to test? Not to worry, you can still subscribe through the same link and receive all the necessary information, or you can start testing immediately by going to http://webapp.vikingspots.com.

Happy testing!

Ready for testing: info sessions

Posted on December 28, 2012 by admin

VikingSpotters!

A good bunch of you has volunteered as a test user for our new platform, after reading our previous blog post. Thank you! If you haven’t subscribed yet, you can still do so by going to http://test.vikingspots.com .

As promised, more information about those info sessions and those free drinks and finger food:

January 8, 2013, we’ll be meeting at Bar Alegria in Leuven
Oude Markt 31, 3000 Leuven;

January 9, 2013, we’ll be meeting at iMinds in Ghent
Zuiderpoort Office Park, Gaston Crommenlaan 8/102, 9050 Gent-Ledeberg;

January 10, 2013, we’ll be meeting at our brand new offices in Hasselt
Research Campus, Kempische Steenweg 309/1, 3500 Hasselt.

We’ll start at 7 pm sharp, so try to be there some time in advance. After a short introduction to the new platform, we’ll be showing a demo of the new web app and we’ll be elaborating on what kind of testing we’re expecting and what type of feedback we would like to receive from you. We’ll be finishing with some drinks & some food, leaving loads of time for any questions, or just to get to know each other.

If you subscribed, you’ll be receiving an email shortly, with all the practical information.

See you soon!

Ready for testing: January 2013

Posted on December 18, 2012 by admin

Hello VikingSpotters!

Just before the end of the world, whoops, the year, we’d like to introduce our brand new online platform to you. Well, almost that is!

After a successful sneak preview at the Macbeurs in Genk this November, we would like to invite you to subscribe as a test user of the new platform, the successor of our current VikingSpots! The new web app will be ready for testing in January 2013 and we’d like to receive your valuable feedback, as always.

The new platform will give you tips about cool places to visit and nice shops to find, it will tell you where to go when you’re hungry or thirsty, it will suggest what events you could go to… It’s an entire new way to discover the city, whether it’s the city you’re living in or one you’ve never been to before. The current VikingSpots will be an integrated part of the new platform, so for all you Mobile Vikings out there: Viking Points will still be part of the game!

Are you ready for testing and set to discover what we have in store for you? Then fill out the form on http://test.vikingspots.com. We would love to hear what you have to say.

You want to test but you’re not sure what to expect? Ah, we did think of that: we’ll be organizing three information sessions during the week of January 7 to January 11, in Leuven first, then Gent and Hasselt. We’ll let you know where we’ll be meeting very soon. No problem if you can’t make it to one of the sessions. But keep in mind though, you will be missing out on meeting some of us working behind the scenes, you won’t be able to have a drink with us and you’ll have to do without the free finger food. It’s all up to you!

Blog you soon!

More spots to earn Viking Points?

Posted on November 16, 2012 by admin

How about you guys telling us guys where to organize you some deals?

Why? Well, we’re working hard on finding as many places as we can, where you’re able to earn FREE Viking Points while spending money on something else. Every place can be a VikingSpot. It doesn’t matter if you’re going for a coffee or for a bite to eat or if you’re going shopping. How does it work again? Just download the app (for iPhone or Android), find your deals and earn Viking Points.

So are you from Gent, Kortrijk, Antwerpen, Hasselt, Leuven or Mechelen? Then share your favorite places with us, tell us where to find them and we’ll try and arrange deals on your spots.

Just fill in the form below, sit back & relax and we’ll do the rest.

Oh, one more thing. If you create the spot on vikingspots.com for us and it gets upgraded to a Premium Spot afterwards, you’ll receive 150 Viking Points. Just like that!