iPhone Application DevelopmentSIMoN Photo Library

Chad KingNovember 8, 2011

SIMoN Photo LibrarySIMoN Photo Library

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

iPhone Market ShareiPhone Market Share

Steps in DevelopmentSteps in Development

• Researched the competition Researched the competition • Preliminary layout designPreliminary layout design• Hired a developer in May 2011Hired a developer in May 2011• Select photos, species, write metadataSelect photos, species, write metadata• Tweaks to app functionalityTweaks to app functionality• Test, test, test!Test, test, test!• PromotionPromotion• Launch in spring 2012Launch in spring 2012

Research the CompetitionResearch the Competition

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

Know the iPhone/iPod Touch UIKnow the iPhone/iPod Touch UI

• Play with many similar appsPlay with many similar apps• How do well designed apps navigate from How do well designed apps navigate from

screen to screen?screen to screen?• How do they organize information?How do they organize information?• How MUCH information do they present to How MUCH information do they present to

the user?the user?• How do they take advantage of the iPhone’s How do they take advantage of the iPhone’s

functions: swiping, pinching, rotate, GPS, functions: swiping, pinching, rotate, GPS, camera, etc.camera, etc.

Layout DesignLayout Design

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

Goals of the AppGoals of the App

• Maximum number of users; spread the wordMaximum number of users; spread the word• Outreach and EducationOutreach and Education– Increase awareness of Sanctuaries (and MBNMS Increase awareness of Sanctuaries (and MBNMS

and SIMoN resources)and SIMoN resources)– Instructional uses (high schools, UC Santa Cruz, Instructional uses (high schools, UC Santa Cruz,

students in general)students in general)– Draw people to the waters of our Sanctuaries, Draw people to the waters of our Sanctuaries,

including the SECincluding the SEC

Promote The AppPromote The App• Incorporate social media – Facebook may be toughIncorporate social media – Facebook may be tough• Pre-launch promotionPre-launch promotion– Email lists about upcoming release, build hypeEmail lists about upcoming release, build hype

• Plan for multiple releasesPlan for multiple releases– Hold some functionality back; keep dream listHold some functionality back; keep dream list

• Develop discrete promotional strategies that Develop discrete promotional strategies that target our audience (app card/QR codes at dive target our audience (app card/QR codes at dive shops, hotels, etc.)shops, hotels, etc.)

• Sanctuary Exploration CenterSanctuary Exploration Center