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Assignment #26

Mobile App Review

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Mobile App Review Assignment

Spend some time exploring at least 5 apps in the iOS, Android or Windows app store that may be useful for businesses and/or entrepreneurs. You could search the app store and choose Business at the category or use the article below for ideas: 

 

 

Pick two business apps that you would like to learn more about. Download them to your phone or tablet if possible, so that you can experiment with them. For each of these apps, evaluate their usability, design, and functionality using the guidelines listed below.  Divide your page in half horizontally and place one review on the top half of the page and the other on the bottom half of the page.

 

What to include when reviewing mobile apps: a checklist

 

App Review Checklist

Here’s a checklist I’ve developed as a guideline for reviewing mobile apps.

 

Begin with:

  • Your name and affiliation or expertise.

  • App name: check the app stores for the official name.

  • App version.

  • Developer, with link to their website.

  • Platforms: iOS, Android, web, other.

  • If it’s iOS, state whether it’s a universal app, iPad only, or whether there are separate versions for iPhone and iPad.

  • Price. Is there is a free or lite version available? Are in-app purchases available?

 

In the body of the review:

  • Basic functionality: What exactly is it designed to do?

  • Audience: Who is the app designed for? What age groups? (if appropriate)

  • Who else might like to use it and why?

  • Simplicity and ease of use: Can you figure out how to use it quickly? Can you use it in short bursts between other tasks? (A reality of mobile app usage).

  • Playfulness: Does it delight the user? Is it fun to use?

  • Visual design: Is it visually appealing? Is the icon distinctive and eye-catching?

  • Sound design: If sound is included, do the sounds help you use the app? Are they of good quality? Are they customizable?

  • Examples: Give specific examples of how this app might be used.

  • Related and similar apps: How does this app compare to other apps that do the same thing?

 

If appropriate, depending on the type of app, include the following:

  • Does it work with bookmarking and storage services? (Instapaper, Dropbox, iCloud, Google Drive).

  • Can you sync information in the app between different devices? (Smartphone, tablet, web version, desktop version).

  • Can you easily share information from it on social networks? (Facebook, Twitter, Google+).

  • Can you export to a variety of formats? (Text, CSV, PDF, other).

  • Can you import from a variety of media types? (Text, videos, images, audio).

  • Can selected material be copied and pasted elsewhere?

  • Does it keep a history? Example: Wikipedia apps often contain a useful history of items you’ve searched for.

  • Does it have a wish list or favorites list so you can get back to your favorite items?

  • Does it promote creative and imaginative uses?

  • Does it provide for collaboration?

  • Does it allow you to do something you were unable to do before you got the app?

Screenshot 2020-01-08 10.51.13.png
  • Jeff McCauley, Teacher at Davis High School

  • Evernote

  • App version: 8.24.3

  • Developer: Evernote.com

  • Platforms: iOS, Android, Web, Windows

  • iOS is universal.

  • Price:

Screenshot 2020-01-08 10.59.02.png
  • Take notes anywhere. Find information faster. Share ideas with anyone. Meeting notes, web pages, projects, to-do lists—with Evernote as your note-taking app, nothing falls through the cracks.

  • Audience: can be sued by everyone from students to professionals.  This particular app more often used by adults and professionals

  • Who else might like to use it and why? Students could find it helpful once they got used to it.

  • Simplicity and ease of use: Fairly intuitive and easy to use.

  • Playfulness: Does it delight the user? Is it fun to use? Perhaps, but not the norm.

  • Visual design: Is it visually appealing? Is the icon distinctive and eye-catching? Icon is distinctive (see above) and it is eye-catching and clever.

  • Sound design: N/A

  • Examples: Give specific examples of how this app might be used. Personal note or professional notes is where it begins, but far more than that!  look to the right and the chart.

  • Related and similar apps: How does this app compare to other apps that do the same thing? Similar apps are shown below.  This app is perhaps more robust but all have individual advantages, including price

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  • Does it work with bookmarking and storage services? Integrates well with Drive, but also keeps your material on the cloud within the app/desktop.

  • Can you sync information in the app between different devices? Yes, limited devices with the free plan, unlimited with the paid plans

  • Can you easily share information from it on social networks? Not a strength although possible.

  • Can you export to a variety of formats? Very limited.  Proprietary format from desktop only.  Can send in an email then download.

  • Can you import from a variety of media types? Not effective at importing

  • Can selected material be copied and pasted elsewhere? Yes.

  • Does it keep a history? No.

  • Does it have a wish list or favorites list so you can get back to your favorite items? No.

  • Does it promote creative and imaginative uses? Yes, with clipping and integrations, handwriting search, etc.

  • Does it provide for collaboration? In the business version

  • Does it allow you to do something you were unable to do before you got the app? Yes, but again, most can be done by other similar apps.

Screenshot 2020-01-08 11.10.21.png
Screenshot 2020-01-08 11.11.35.png
Screenshot 2020-01-08 10.51.13.png
Screenshot 2020-01-08 10.59.02.png
  • Jeff McCauley, Teacher at Davis High School

  • Evernote

  • App version: 8.24.3

  • Developer: Evernote.com

  • Platforms: iOS, Android, Web, Windows

  • iOS is universal.

  • Price:

Yes, I know this is a duplication of the above review.  This is for illustration purposes only--so you know how to place both on the same page.
  • Take notes anywhere. Find information faster. Share ideas with anyone. Meeting notes, web pages, projects, to-do lists—with Evernote as your note-taking app, nothing falls through the cracks.

  • Audience: can be sued by everyone from students to professionals.  This particular app more often used by adults and professionals

  • Who else might like to use it and why? Students could find it helpful once they got used to it.

  • Simplicity and ease of use: Fairly intuitive and easy to use.

  • Playfulness: Does it delight the user? Is it fun to use? Perhaps, but not the norm.

  • Visual design: Is it visually appealing? Is the icon distinctive and eye-catching? Icon is distinctive (see above) and it is eye-catching and clever.

  • Sound design: N/A

  • Examples: Give specific examples of how this app might be used. Personal note or professional notes is where it begins, but far more than that!  look to the right and the chart.

  • Related and similar apps: How does this app compare to other apps that do the same thing? Similar apps are shown below.  This app is perhaps more robust but all have individual advantages, including price

​​

  • Does it work with bookmarking and storage services? Integrates well with Drive, but also keeps your material on the cloud within the app/desktop.

  • Can you sync information in the app between different devices? Yes, limited devices with the free plan, unlimited with the paid plans

  • Can you easily share information from it on social networks? Not a strength although possible.

  • Can you export to a variety of formats? Very limited.  Proprietary format from desktop only.  Can send in an email then download.

  • Can you import from a variety of media types? Not effective at importing

  • Can selected material be copied and pasted elsewhere? Yes.

  • Does it keep a history? No.

  • Does it have a wish list or favorites list so you can get back to your favorite items? No.

  • Does it promote creative and imaginative uses? Yes, with clipping and integrations, handwriting search, etc.

  • Does it provide for collaboration? In the business version

  • Does it allow you to do something you were unable to do before you got the app? Yes, but again, most can be done by other similar apps.

Screenshot 2020-01-08 11.10.21.png
Screenshot 2020-01-08 11.11.35.png
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