iPhone App - Looking for feedback

[KenS]

Ok, I got tired of waiting for somebody else to do it, so I'm building an iPhone application to keep cigar info with me. I want to build a native iPhone app, but I'm starting it out as an iPhone-optimized web app first, connected to a backend database. I have several ideas for functionality, but would like to get feedback from some fellow inmates first.

At this point, I have the basic framework done, and anybody should be able to view it at

www.vapor nova.com/mobilestogie/

(you'll have to delete the space between 'vapor' and 'nova' because together, the vbulletin software thinks there's a bad word in there ).

It will load on a regular browser, but is clearly optimized for an iPhone (or iPod Touch) screen.

At this point, it has a fairly complete list of current production cubans, but only a smattering of non-cuban info. You can also see that I will probably build in some Inventory capabilities, but that is not coded yet.

Here's the kind of feedback I'm asking for:

1. What other data elements should I include in the info screen? (I'm not trying to recreate MRN on the iPhone, but I'm sure there are several more things that I should be including.)
2. Does the terminology on the pages make sense?
3. for items 1 and 2, how should the data elements be different for NC's?
4. Suggestions on any design elements would be welcome as well. I'm trying to make this very 'iPhone-friendly' in terms of simplicity, speed, etc., but I'm no designer. So, suggestions are welcome.
5. Does the site work ok on your browser/iphone/iPod? If not, please provide specifics so I can try to correct things.
6. If I add a page to enter/edit the NC information live, would some of you crazy bastages help load it up with data on the more common NC's?
7. Lastly, what kind of functionality would you want in something like this? (Personal Inventory, reviews, connectivity to other info, etc.)

Any feedback is appreciated, and hopefully somebody finds this useful even in this early stage of development.

(disclaimer: this isn't my day job, so I don't promise that I'll have a huge amount of time to build this out, but I will try to be as responsive as possible)

That looks awesome, though you spelled Montecristo wrong.

[KenS]

Originally Posted by Darrell

That looks awesome, though you spelled Montecristo wrong.

Hey now, was "check spelling" on the requested feedback list? I didn't think so.

Thanks

[gpugliese]

Looks great!

Doh, didn't notice the Discontinued at the bottom. Maybe add the date they were discontinued?

[KenS]

Originally Posted by gpugliese

Looks great!

Only thing I can think of that would be worth adding is a date range of production? Or, a "Current" or "Discontinued, 2002" option.

When you look at the list of cigars within a brand, anything that is Limited Edition, Regional Edition, or Discontinued is listed separately at the bottom. But yes, I keep thinking about the date ranges too. Trying not to create a maintenance nightmare

[KenS]

Originally Posted by Darrell

That looks awesome, though you spelled Montecristo wrong.

Fixed.

[perogee]

no Ipod/Iphone to try it on, but it looks good
the only thing I am noticing is that the columns do not line up (IE as browser), though that may be something on my end.
Are there any plans for flavour profiles in the descriptions? (or flavour high points)

[KenS]

Originally Posted by perogee

no Ipod/Iphone to try it on, but it looks good
the only thing I am noticing is that the columns do not line up (IE as browser), though that may be something on my end.

I think I'll need to do some browser-specific css coding if I decide to keep this available for desktop browsers. There are some custom styles used to optimize for iPhone, that IE won't understand. I noticed that there is even a little misalignment of the rows in FireFox on the Mac. This is the fun of web development; damn browser differences. Imagine the fun our mods on this site must have

Are there any plans for flavour profiles in the descriptions? (or flavour high points)

Probably, but I think this is the type of info (like ratings) that might need to be user-specific. Other peoples' thoughts on this?

[Footbag]

I would add edit now before it goes 1.0. As people smoke they can add the details.

Very cool!

[KenS]

By the way, if you have a Mac, but don't have an iPhone or iPod Touch, you can see how this application looks on those devices by downloading iPhoney, which is a free iPhone simulator app (I think it's basically a skinned browser -- very cool).

So far, my web app looks correct on there

[HK3-]

Pretty cool Ken! Can't wait to see how this finishes up!

[perogee]

It does line up a lot better in FireFox

[Lee]

This is coming along nicely Ken! You do need to open it up for adding data, particularly for the NC's.

[FrequenC]

Great idea! Looks great and lines up perfectly on my Touch!
Will you be making this into an actual app or will you be keeping it web based?

Looks good so far. Let us know when you are finished. Would love to have it on my iphone!

This is freakin' awesome & I'm damned impressed. I've got an iTouch at home, can't wait to upload this. As for feedback, I'm kinda a tech idiot.

-What other data elements should I include in the info screen? (I'm not trying to recreate MRN on the iPhone, but I'm sure there are several more things that I should be including.) I like it how it is!

-Does the terminology on the pages make sense? Yep
for items 1 and 2, how should the data elements be different for NC's?

-Suggestions on any design elements would be welcome as well. I'm trying to make this very 'iPhone-friendly' in terms of simplicity, speed, etc., but I'm no designer. So, suggestions are welcome.
coulda fooled me! as far as I'm concerned, you're a genius

-Does the site work ok on your browser/iphone/iPod? If not, please provide specifics so I can try to correct things. works on my browser - pc

-If I add a page to enter/edit the NC information live, would some of you crazy bastages help load it up with data on the more common NC's? i'll try my best!

Lastly, what kind of functionality would you want in something like this? (Personal Inventory, reviews, connectivity to other info, etc.) all of the above

[KenS]

Originally Posted by FrequenC

Great idea! Looks great and lines up perfectly on my Touch!
Will you be making this into an actual app or will you be keeping it web based?

At some point, I'd love to make it a native app, but there's a big learning curve for me to do that. It's been years since I wrote code other than for the web, so I figure I can do all the design and prototyping as a web app first. Once I have the design and functionality completed, I'll take a look at coding it as a native app.

In the meantime, there is the side benefit of having it accessable via any web browser (although clearly it functions best in Safari, and is optimized for the iPhone/Touch. I'll be opening it up for add/edit functionality shortly, so maybe some inmates will help populate the database.

Lastly, as you probably know, on the iPhone or Touch, you can create the bookmark to the web app as a button on the main screen of the device, just like a native app.

Appreciate all the feedback

[dunng]

Web version works pretty good on my BB... any chance of adding MSRP? That way it's a handy tool when you are at a B&M. Thanks!

[KenS]

For those who don't have an iPhone or Touch, here are some screen shots that show approximately what it looks like, in the order that you'd likely navigate the screens. Note that where you see a scroll bar, there really isn't one on the iPhone/Touch because it's not needed there with a touch screen...



The last pic is of the edit screen, which I'm working on completing now.

[doctorcue]

Just checked this out... pretty damn cool. Nothing like this out there. Appreciate all your effort. Obviously if it is a native app; we'll be able to edit the 'My Inventory' info. Hope you have time to build this out. I'll be waiting patiently.