So the smartphone app has been released for all platforms (except Microsoft but really...do three people count?). As a stand alone app ( as in I don't have a calendar, or twitter or anything on my phone ) it's pretty great. I think it's Ok. I'd give it 3 out of 5 stars. My main issue is the lack of integration of the calendar making this app almost useless for me.
Dashboard
Pro Great one stop shopping
I think the Dashboard is great. It pretty well categorizes anything you may want to do or know. You have a personalized schedule, exhibitors list, maps, schedule of events, list of guests, additional documentation, a twitter feed and a specific news feed.
Schedule
Pro If this is the only calendar you need it's fine. Manages all Dragon*Con events and allows personal additions, real time updates from Dragon*Con *Bonus*
Con No integration or export to other calendars, smartphone or otherwise.
So my first issue is the personalized schedule, because it's 2011 and no one has their own calendar? All of my Dragon*Con peeps are sharing their Google calendars already. It would be useful if this information could be synced or exported to the calendar system on the phone or at all. So you now have two different calender applications: one containing Dragon*Con events and the other containing all your other meet up info which is also synced with all your friends calendars.
Exhibitors
Pro Gives location and provides vendor website if they have one
Con Needs better filters or categorization and actual links to maps
The Exhibitors section would be nice if it also had more categories besides exhibitors and dealers. There are a lot of vendors at Con so some sort of search or filter or better categories or breakout by room would be really nice. There is also no link between the vendor and maps or....a map at all of the vendors.
Maps
The maps are useful if you're good at reading this on the phone. They are the same ones you find in the paper schedule you get each year.
Events
Pro Great categorization, one click add to personal calendar, links between guest speakers
Con No link between events and maps
I think the Event section is awesome. It's separated out by track like the paper version. You click the star icon to add to your calendar ( a little not intuitive ). There are links to guest speaker information where applicable. It's only issue, like exhibits, is no link between info and the maps.
Speakers/Performers
Pro Lists all events the guest is attending with links to the events
Con No categories just a flat list
I wish the speakers and performers section was broken into the same categories on the website. The information lists all the engagements the person will attend with links to the events.
Documents
The additional documents is nice and I figure will be added too. Just remember you need some sort of pdf reader on your phone. You can email it to another computer but then....what's the use of having it on your phone.
Twitter/News
Pro Great if you don't use twitter or only care about these two feeds
Con Unnecessary if you really need the twitter app
The twitter and news feeds are both twitter feeds. One is the #DragonCon search and one is twitter updates from @daily_dragon. Nice touch but I already have these in my twitter feed on my phone. And it's easier to send and manage tweets from the twitter app. If you don't have a twitter account this is very nice.
So basically if you would only use this app and do not need integrated calendars or twitter than this is probably a 4 star app. It's 3 star for those of us who insist on better integration into smart phone apps. The last star is the lack of linking between dealer/event to actual maps and location.
0 comments:
Post a Comment