ChiCon 7 App Update

[daveon]

So, we're hammering away at this, with a goal of having something to Beta testers over the weekend.  Due to challenges with getting test data and traction with parts of the Con, we've dropped some features but we're planning to have the following bugs from Renovation fixed.

- Offline access - the app will have a copy of the database integrated.  Due to the limitations of the multi-platform framework we've used, the integrated version will be prone to be wrong - as it will be pretty much the same database as the Pocket Guide will use.  Nothing we can do about that... IF we have time, we'll integrate a version of SQLite and put a proper database in.  This means the app will work fine offline for those that are roaming or struggling to get a signal
- Custom Events - you'll be able to add custom items to your program i.e. the London 2014 room parties
- "Back Button" on Android will work as a back button
- Search - this might be a bit shit, but we're planning to have a version enabled so you can search for a keyword and then get a list of matching panels
- Maps will be enabled with pinch/zoom - actually we thought they were last time but it just didn't f'king work
- Navigation - The bottom nav bar will be easier to use

It will come with integrated sharing to Facebook, Twitter and Tumblr and also the convention Twitter feeds will be integrated.

Device limitations:
After the confusion last year, and looking at the performance we're going to be setting boundaries on what we support.  

iPhone - 3GS and above - if you have an iPhone 3, performance will suck badly, sorry
Android - 2.3 and above...  our 'minimum' Android test device is a Galaxy S - I think I can safely say that any Android device of that spec and age will also struggle badly

All iPads will be fine.

Blackberry and Windows Phone are not supported this time around.

Comments

[despotliz.livejournal.com]

Totally understandable that you're limiting version support given the million different version of Android but it does irk me that I've got another 9 months left on my contract, and my smartphone is already too puny to run modern apps. I think I could unofficially update it to 2.3, but the internal memory is tight already. Not your fault at all, but annoying!

On the other hand I have a tablet running ice cream sandwich, so if you need a beta tester for that I can help.

[daveon.livejournal.com]

The tablet should be fine, I'll be providing a Dropbox link, probably on Saturday.

It's not worth doing the update, I can almost guarantee that the performance will just be too sucky for words. We were a little naive last year on trying to accomodate support requests and I've just sent my demands, er, instructions to the staff list of what we will and won't put up with this year.

Our minimum device for testing is now a Galaxy S which is pretty much on the limit of what works and it's not great.

[autopope.livejournal.com]

Is there any particular reasion you're not going with Guidebook for this convention? (The past couple of big cons I've been to used Guidebook's free version and it was quite reasonable, at the price: it also gets you Blackberry and WinPhone clients as well as Android and iOS.)

[daveon.livejournal.com]

Mostly price. They've just cut their prices but it's still $5000 versus free.

We've got the code up as an Open Source Project so the idea is any convention moving forward can adapt and use it.

[cobrabay.livejournal.com]

We couldn't have used Guidebook for Olympus if they had not given us an extraordinary discount on their price.
If you are looking for more beta testers I'd be keen to give it a go, should run on my Galaxy S2 and I have an iPad too. I think I've still got the Renovation app installed, must take it off some time.

[daveon.livejournal.com]

Their real advantage is handling data input - we're really struggling with the database handling. Although that would be an issue for using Guidebook to. Somebody would have to do have done what we're doing.

The app works better with the Renovation database system, which I think is being used at Worldcon's moving forward. It's REALLY good.

[daveon.livejournal.com]

Other reason is we might spin off a competing product rage to Guidebook from this... it's being discussed. But this gives us a degree more flexibility. That said, the convention software space if getting crowded.