iPhone Application Development SIMoN Photo Library Chad King November 8, 2011

SIMoN Photo Library 3,700+ images online (Nov 2011) 3,700+ images online (Nov 2011) Over 800 species Over 800 species Many more on our hard drives! Many more on our hard drives! Expand exposure in free app market Expand exposure in free app market iPhone is the most popular smartphone in US iPhone is the most popular smartphone in US

iPhone Market Share

Steps in Development Researched the competition Researched the competition Preliminary layout design Preliminary layout design Hired a developer in May 2011 Hired a developer in May 2011 Select photos, species, write metadata Select photos, species, write metadata Tweaks to app functionality Tweaks to app functionality Test, test, test! Test, test, test! Promotion Promotion Launch in spring 2012 Launch in spring 2012

Research the Competition “Look at what other people are doing and don’t make the same mistakes!”

Know the iPhone/iPod Touch UI Play with many similar apps Play with many similar apps How do well designed apps navigate from screen to screen? How do well designed apps navigate from screen to screen? How do they organize information? How do they organize information? How MUCH information do they present to the user? How MUCH information do they present to the user? How do they take advantage of the iPhone’s functions: swiping, pinching, rotate, GPS, camera, etc. How do they take advantage of the iPhone’s functions: swiping, pinching, rotate, GPS, camera, etc.

Layout Design Literally sketch it out Literally sketch it out What information What information does each screen need to present? How can we take the How can we take the user from point A to B to point C?

Goals of the App Maximum number of users; spread the word Maximum number of users; spread the word Outreach and Education Outreach and Education – Increase awareness of Sanctuaries (and MBNMS and SIMoN resources) – Instructional uses (high schools, UC Santa Cruz, students in general) – Draw people to the waters of our Sanctuaries, including the SEC

Promote The App Incorporate social media – Facebook may be tough Incorporate social media – Facebook may be tough Pre-launch promotion Pre-launch promotion – lists about upcoming release, build hype Plan for multiple releases Plan for multiple releases – Hold some functionality back; keep dream list Develop discrete promotional strategies that target our audience (app card/QR codes at dive shops, hotels, etc.) Develop discrete promotional strategies that target our audience (app card/QR codes at dive shops, hotels, etc.) Sanctuary Exploration Center Sanctuary Exploration Center