Kickstarter app for iPhone is here! Everyone’s favorite crowdfunding platform just released its first iPhone and iPod touch app. If you’re a regular crowdfunder, you can download the free, swanky new app on the App Store here. Since Kickstarter’s launch in 2009, it raised $484 million dollars by more than 3.4 million people — and this app is looking to build on that history.
Kickstarter’s app has three main functions, two of which are consumer facing — finding new projects and staying connected to the projects you’ve already backed — while the third is for the creators of the projects themselves to track and manage their campaigns.
The app is fairly simple in design, yet retains the main functions and usability of the website. You can discover a variety of projects or just browse through the staff picks before exploring each of them in greater detail. The creator’s video will even stream in the same window so you can truly get a feel for their passion.
True to the original site, if the project and cause speak to you, you can even back the project directly from the app, choosing which pledge level you want — and finding out what bonuses come with it. Afterwards, you can stay up-to-date with each project and how it’s doing from the Activity menu.
If you’re more on the creating side of things, the app will allow you to check any messages potential backers have sent as well as post updates on the go and keep a close eye on your funding level.
With this move, Kickstarter is hoping to really increase the engagement between its users and projects. Will cutting the tie to the full website help shatter previous funding records? OUYA, the android based gaming console, still holds the record for fastest funded project hitting its mark in just 8 hours and 22 minutes a little over a year ago and raising a platform high of $2.5 million in 24 hours.
