I have been reading all of the emails everyone has been contributing with the updates on building apps and am in awe of those of you who are figuring this out! I wasn't so brave. I think I wrote a few months ago that a friend's son was working with me. The app was approved and released by apple yesterday.
I wish I could tell you I had a lot of back and forth with the developer. He's in college and would not write back for weeks on end. When he finally sent me a video of the app last week, it took so long to load that I really didn't get a full sense of how it worked until last night when I actually had a working version on my iphone. I have some issues with the functionality of the app.
First, let me say that this is for toddlers. I took an OP lift the flap of mine (which was called, Peekaboo Blueberry) I had submitted the book to Harcourt with the title, Where's Your Nose, Nibbly? I used my original title for the app since Nibbly is the name of a rabbit that my father made up for bedtime stories when I was little.
So the app scrolls down, as opposed to the right. I know that because I had seen the video, but I am worried a user will get frustrated. Also, unless you tap, 'just right', theres a black bar above and below the page. It's a navigation bar, but I can imagine someone using the app and never realizing they can clear the screen and see the entire image.
I also think there needs to be a more clear way to have a 'home' button at the end. And, last but not least, there is a doorbell on the last spread which I had requested the user be able to press. So far, it only works when the door opens.
That's my critique but I am hoping (somewhat reluctantly) that some of you might take a peek and weigh in as well. It's a 99 cent app that can be found by searching, Nibbly's Nose.
Be gentle!
Best,
Barney
I wish I could tell you I had a lot of back and forth with the developer. He's in college and would not write back for weeks on end. When he finally sent me a video of the app last week, it took so long to load that I really didn't get a full sense of how it worked until last night when I actually had a working version on my iphone. I have some issues with the functionality of the app.
First, let me say that this is for toddlers. I took an OP lift the flap of mine (which was called, Peekaboo Blueberry) I had submitted the book to Harcourt with the title, Where's Your Nose, Nibbly? I used my original title for the app since Nibbly is the name of a rabbit that my father made up for bedtime stories when I was little.
So the app scrolls down, as opposed to the right. I know that because I had seen the video, but I am worried a user will get frustrated. Also, unless you tap, 'just right', theres a black bar above and below the page. It's a navigation bar, but I can imagine someone using the app and never realizing they can clear the screen and see the entire image.
I also think there needs to be a more clear way to have a 'home' button at the end. And, last but not least, there is a doorbell on the last spread which I had requested the user be able to press. So far, it only works when the door opens.
That's my critique but I am hoping (somewhat reluctantly) that some of you might take a peek and weigh in as well. It's a 99 cent app that can be found by searching, Nibbly's Nose.
Be gentle!
Best,
Barney
Barney, this is quite charming! The peek-a-boo flip thing is perfect and I'm sure will be a big hit with todlers. As you have mentioned, it has a few technical issues, but the only one that seems like a "mistake" is the fact that you cannot ring the doorbell, you have to tap the door itself.
ReplyDeleteRuth
Congratulations, Barney! It's a cute app for toddlers, they'll have fun with it. One nice thing with story apps/ebooks is that revisions are not difficult.
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