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Mobile Features

RTC Collector is available as a Progressive Web App (PWA) and as a native Android app on the Google Play Store, built with Capacitor 8. Whether you use the web or native app, you get touch-friendly controls, gestures, and mobile-specific features.

Mobile-Optimized Interface​

Responsive Design​

The interface adapts to your screen size:

  • Phone: Single column layout, large touch targets
  • Tablet: Two-column layouts where appropriate
  • Landscape: Optimized for horizontal viewing

Touch-Friendly Controls​

  • Large buttons and tap targets (minimum 44x44px)
  • Spacing between interactive elements
  • No hover-required interactions
  • Clear visual feedback on touches

Mobile Gestures​

Swipe Gestures​

Swipe to Delete: Swipe left on items in lists to reveal delete button

Pull-to-Refresh: Pull down on collection or marketplace pages to refresh data

Swipe Navigation: Swipe between tabs on marketplace page

Long Press​

Long press on items for additional options:

  • Quick actions menu
  • Add to selection
  • Share item

Pinch Zoom​

Pinch to zoom on item photos in detail view.

Mobile-Specific Features​

Native Android App (Google Play Store)​

RTC Collector is available as a native Android app on the Google Play Store, built with Capacitor 8. The native app provides additional features beyond the PWA:

Native Camera: Full camera integration for taking photos directly within the app. Capture item photos, barcode scanning, and profile pictures without leaving the app.

Biometric Authentication: Use fingerprint or face unlock on Android to sign in without typing your password. Set up in Settings > Security. Credentials are stored securely in your device's keychain.

Barcode Scanning: Scan UPC and EAN barcodes to instantly identify retro tech items and auto-fill the add item form. Toggle the torch for low-light scanning.

Push Notifications: Native push notifications via Firebase Cloud Messaging. Notifications appear in your device notification centre even when the app is closed.

Haptic Feedback: Vibration feedback on supported devices for button presses, successful actions, pull-to-refresh triggers, checkbox/radio interactions, and swipe gestures.

File System Access: Direct access to device storage for import/export operations.

Network Detection: Automatic detection of online/offline status with seamless transitions and offline indicators.

App Shortcuts: Long-press the app icon on your home screen for quick actions: Add Item, My Collection, Marketplace, and Library.

Camera Access​

Take photos directly from your mobile camera:

  1. When adding or editing items, tap Add Photo
  2. Choose Take Photo
  3. Your device camera opens
  4. Take the photo
  5. Use the built-in photo editor to crop, rotate, and adjust
  6. Add to item

Or choose Choose from Gallery to select existing photos from your device.

Bottom Navigation​

The app uses a 5-item bottom navigation bar:

  1. Collection - View your collection
  2. Browse - Explore platforms, games, and more in the Library
  3. Add (+) - Add a new item to your collection
  4. Market - Browse the marketplace
  5. More - Access additional sections

More Menu​

Tap More in the bottom navigation to access:

  • Wishlist
  • History (Interactive Timelines)
  • Analytics
  • Social Feed
  • Friends
  • Profile & Settings
  • Help

The More menu slides up as a bottom sheet for easy one-handed access.

Mobile Header​

The mobile header includes:

  • Search icon - Tap to open the command palette for quick item search
  • Notification bell - See unread notifications (opens as a full-screen panel on mobile)

Back-to-Top Button​

A floating back-to-top button appears when you scroll past 500px on any page, making it easy to return to the top of long lists.

Scroll Position Restoration​

Going back from an item detail page to your collection list preserves your scroll position, so you don't lose your place.

Pull-to-Refresh​

On key pages, pull down to refresh:

  • Collection page
  • Marketplace listings
  • Messages
  • Notifications

Visual indicator shows when refresh is triggered.

Keyboard and Input​

Mobile Keyboard Optimization​

  • Number keyboards for price/year fields
  • Email keyboards for email fields
  • Search keyboards with "Go" button for searches
  • Autocomplete for common fields

Voice Input​

Use your device's voice input for text fields (device-dependent).

Offline Support on Mobile​

Mobile devices benefit greatly from offline support:

When Connected via Wi-Fi​

  • Full functionality
  • Automatic sync
  • Image uploads
  • Real-time updates

When on Mobile Data​

  • Same functionality as Wi-Fi
  • Consider data usage for image uploads
  • Disable automatic image loading in Settings if needed

When Offline​

  • View cached collection
  • Browse previously-viewed listings
  • Read messages
  • Queue outgoing messages for sending when reconnected

See PWA Features for more offline details.

Push Notifications​

Enable browser push notifications on mobile to receive:

  • New messages
  • Offers on your listings
  • Transaction updates
  • Friend requests

Notifications appear in your device's notification center even when the app isn't open.

Mobile Performance​

Fast Loading​

  • Optimized images for mobile
  • Lazy loading of off-screen content
  • Prefetching of likely-needed data
  • Service worker caching

Data Saving​

To reduce data usage:

  1. Go to Settings → Mobile Options
  2. Enable Data Saver Mode:
    • Lower quality images
    • Disable auto-play
    • Reduce prefetching

Battery Optimization​

RTC Collector is optimized for battery life:

  • Efficient updates
  • Background sync only when needed
  • Wake lock only for specific features
  • Minimal battery drain

Screen Wake Lock​

On certain pages (like during item photography), your screen stays on:

  • Taking item photos
  • Reading long marketplace descriptions
  • During checkout

Prevents screen from dimming while you're actively using those features.

Mobile Sharing​

Share Items​

Use native sharing on mobile:

  1. Open an item
  2. Tap Share
  3. Native share sheet appears
  4. Choose how to share:
    • Message apps (WhatsApp, Telegram, etc.)
    • Social media (Twitter, Facebook, etc.)
    • Email
    • Copy link

Share Collection​

Share your entire collection via mobile:

  1. Go to Friends → Share Collection
  2. Tap Share Link
  3. Use native share sheet

Haptic Feedback​

On supported devices, feel subtle vibrations for:

  • Button presses
  • Successful actions
  • Errors or warnings
  • Pull-to-refresh trigger
  • Swipe actions

Enable/disable in Settings → Mobile Options → Haptic Feedback.

Mobile Browser Recommendations​

iOS​

Best: Safari (full PWA support, best performance) Also works: Chrome, Edge (limited PWA features)

Android​

Best: Chrome (full PWA support) Also works: Edge, Firefox, Samsung Internet

Landscape Mode​

Works in both portrait and landscape:

  • Layouts adjust automatically
  • Photos display larger in landscape
  • Two-column layouts on larger screens
  • Optimized keyboard layouts

Mobile Tips​

Install as PWA: For the best mobile experience, install RTC Collector as a PWA. See PWA Features.

Enable Notifications: Get instant updates on messages and offers.

Use Pull-to-Refresh: Quick way to check for new data.

Swipe Gestures: Faster than tapping buttons for common actions.

Take Photos Directly: Use camera access for quick photo uploads.

Data Saver: Enable if you're on limited mobile data.

Troubleshooting​

Touch Not Responding​

  • Ensure screen is clean
  • Remove screen protector if causing issues
  • Try in a different browser
  • Update your browser to the latest version

Gestures Not Working​

  • Some gestures require updated browsers
  • Check that JavaScript is enabled
  • Try refreshing the page

Keyboard Issues​

  • Ensure device keyboard is configured properly
  • Try clearing browser cache
  • Check for browser updates

Camera Not Working​

  • Grant camera permissions in browser settings
  • Check device camera is working in other apps
  • Try a different browser

Questions?​

For mobile-specific questions: