Too Complex ?
Quote from PeteRT on 05.12.2021, 08:36Is Scenic getting too complex ? What's the primary purpose of a navigation app ? A recent post got me thinking about this plus a summer using Beeline Moto made me realise that simple is sometimes rather good. When the development of Scenic 3 eases maybe Guido you might consider writing a stripped down simple version of the app that might appeal to those who don't need the bells and whistles. I'm thinking of a planner, navigation and the ability to save routes and places. Import GPX essential. But that's it. No other features. A pure plan, edit and navigate. Keep it very simple. Crazy idea ?
Is Scenic getting too complex ? What's the primary purpose of a navigation app ? A recent post got me thinking about this plus a summer using Beeline Moto made me realise that simple is sometimes rather good. When the development of Scenic 3 eases maybe Guido you might consider writing a stripped down simple version of the app that might appeal to those who don't need the bells and whistles. I'm thinking of a planner, navigation and the ability to save routes and places. Import GPX essential. But that's it. No other features. A pure plan, edit and navigate. Keep it very simple. Crazy idea ?
Quote from Guido on 05.12.2021, 08:44No. Not crazy. I’m thinking along similar line. Two apps is a lot of extra maintenance and ‘overhead’ work though, but a ‘pro’ mode and a ‘basic’ mode, where basic mode hides a lot of UI elements and features, is doable. Will be for Scenic 4 though.
No. Not crazy. I’m thinking along similar line. Two apps is a lot of extra maintenance and ‘overhead’ work though, but a ‘pro’ mode and a ‘basic’ mode, where basic mode hides a lot of UI elements and features, is doable. Will be for Scenic 4 though.
Quote from PeteRT on 05.12.2021, 09:28Good to know at least you think I'm not going crazy. Yes Scenic 4 for sure. I'm sure you have enough to do getting Scenic 3 right. But the idea for a very basic but functional app would also be a good way for people to try and then when ready upgrade to the pro version. I think it would be a good business model.
Good to know at least you think I'm not going crazy. Yes Scenic 4 for sure. I'm sure you have enough to do getting Scenic 3 right. But the idea for a very basic but functional app would also be a good way for people to try and then when ready upgrade to the pro version. I think it would be a good business model.
Quote from Binwaa on 25.03.2022, 02:42Developing 2 independent apps is a PITA. I can understand that some ‘simple’ users do not need routes, locations, POI and other more less frequent features, but some frequent/expert users require them. The best thing you can do is continuing with one app and create a expert mode that switches on less frequent features. Microsoft developed Excel and word and there are no simple version of those app.
On the other side in Scenic 3, it became so easy, as when you start the application, choose where you want to go and start navigating. More simple than that, what can you do more.
Developing 2 independent apps is a PITA. I can understand that some ‘simple’ users do not need routes, locations, POI and other more less frequent features, but some frequent/expert users require them. The best thing you can do is continuing with one app and create a expert mode that switches on less frequent features. Microsoft developed Excel and word and there are no simple version of those app.
On the other side in Scenic 3, it became so easy, as when you start the application, choose where you want to go and start navigating. More simple than that, what can you do more.
Quote from rocminc99al on 25.03.2022, 18:09It's not easy to separate functionality of an app like this into basic and advanced. It sometime works when you have two very distinct audiences, but a navigation app doesn't fall into this category. You usually end up either creating a basic version that no one wants to use, or you go to another extreme and include most of the functionality in the basic version.
Harley-Davidson navigation app is an example of a very basic app. It works, but do I want to use it? Not really. MyNetDiary, a calory counting app, includes almost all functionality in the basic version. Buying a premium subscription is a waste of money.
I consider myself a more or less typical user who likes long rides. I plan my routes on a computer, load them on the device, and then ride them. Sometimes I encounter detours, and on occasion I need to finetune the route by adding or removing a waypoint. This is pretty much it. Nothing fancy. Looking at Scenic functionality, I don't think there's anything that I don't need or don't use.
From where I stand, being able to easily find and use functionality I need without being lost in numerous and inconsistent menus and submenus is more important than creating separate versions of the app. It all boils down to clear and thoughtful design. Scenic right now has a clean and logical interface.
I think I've seen requests to add features usually found in social apps. This type of functionality would be a good candidate for a premium subscription, because it appeals to a very specific audience.
It's not easy to separate functionality of an app like this into basic and advanced. It sometime works when you have two very distinct audiences, but a navigation app doesn't fall into this category. You usually end up either creating a basic version that no one wants to use, or you go to another extreme and include most of the functionality in the basic version.
Harley-Davidson navigation app is an example of a very basic app. It works, but do I want to use it? Not really. MyNetDiary, a calory counting app, includes almost all functionality in the basic version. Buying a premium subscription is a waste of money.
I consider myself a more or less typical user who likes long rides. I plan my routes on a computer, load them on the device, and then ride them. Sometimes I encounter detours, and on occasion I need to finetune the route by adding or removing a waypoint. This is pretty much it. Nothing fancy. Looking at Scenic functionality, I don't think there's anything that I don't need or don't use.
From where I stand, being able to easily find and use functionality I need without being lost in numerous and inconsistent menus and submenus is more important than creating separate versions of the app. It all boils down to clear and thoughtful design. Scenic right now has a clean and logical interface.
I think I've seen requests to add features usually found in social apps. This type of functionality would be a good candidate for a premium subscription, because it appeals to a very specific audience.
Quote from Binwaa on 25.03.2022, 20:00As I am Swift developer under iOS myself, I completely agree with rocminc99al.
If you compare Scenic with other navigation apps, Scenic is a beauty of an app, with an excellent user interface, Apple style, easy to learn and with sufficient expert features integrated without disturbing novice users.
As I am Swift developer under iOS myself, I completely agree with rocminc99al.
If you compare Scenic with other navigation apps, Scenic is a beauty of an app, with an excellent user interface, Apple style, easy to learn and with sufficient expert features integrated without disturbing novice users.
