UnNamable: Version 2.0
The original design for UnNamable.
Last summer, I released UnNamable as a free application for iPhone OS. Why free? Well, it was my first try at iPhone development, and I did not really think it would be of much use to people. Turns out I was wrong, as the first version of UnNamable was bought ~1,400 times in its first six months. Realizing that the application could be better, I want about the process of creating a new version of UnNamable, including everything I have learned about iPhone development since its initial release. With the time and effort required for this new release, I made the decision to change UnNamable to a paid application. Those who previously purchase or used UnNamable 1.0 should be able to download 2.0 for no charge, but I am hoping that this new version will bring more users to this product, and hopefully their purchases will be able to subsidize more enhancements to UnNamable.
Redesign
When I first designed UnNamable, I had a thing for black screens. I enjoyed the contrast of white text on the black screen for making it stand out when in use. Also, I had just learned how to make code run after the user shook the iPhone, and so made that the primary (and only method) for creating new names. Lastly, I really did not know how to save data, so I added the ability to email out the current list of names to save for later use. All these things worked out great for my own uses of UnNamable, but I later discovered that surprise, surprise, other people use things different from me. So for this version, UnNamable’s UI has been redesigned from scratch.
To begin with, the all black theme was just not working. I would at times have trouble seeing parts of the screen while I was out and about in the sunlight (Yes, gamers and programmers go out in the sun sometimes). Instead, I went to the same white and blue theme that Apple uses in their applications. These makes the app not only more usable in sunlight, but also conforms a lot more to Apple’s design principals and looks.
All new design for random name page
Next up has how to generate the names. I loved shaking my phone like a monkey to get the new names, but a
pparently some users did not. That was a simple enough fix, just add a button to the screen to generate the names. Of course, I kept the shake feature on, as I really like shaking things.
Last for UI changes was how to save data. I kept the ability to email out the list of names but now your list of saved names is actually saved across sessions. This was to both help out users in remembering the names of previous characters generator, as well as to add some new functionalities to UnNamable, including the ability to include descriptions and other notes about the characters you create using UnNamable. Hopefully, this new feature will help out the English writers out their who have been using UnNamable to create characters for their stories.
What’s Next?
I don’t know, you tell me. I am very much focused on making this application what you the user needs and wants. Leave comments about what you want to see in the next version of UnNamable, and I’ll see if we can make that happen for you.
Comments feed
Hello! I’ve just downloaded Unnamable, so I wanted to come over to see if, well, firstly, if you intend to update again. Secondly, I’m curious, if that does happen, are you fielding comments still.
Not knowing anything about how hard it is to design an app, this is purely from a user’s perspective.
I like the app, because I’m a BA student majoring in Creative Writing. I would love to have something I could Carey around and edit and the like, where character design is concerned. I am, however, paranoid. One of the virtues of paper is that it’s always there, it won’t glitch and lose all your info. Ergo, to be able to somehow email the written parts of Unnamable, would be a plus. Then I’d have an email copy of the name and information, otherwise, for me, it isn’t as useful if I can’t get it onto my computer to expand it for, say, an assignment.
The only other thing I wanted to mention was how completely awesome it would be to be able to add more categories once you’re editing the information of the character. I like the idea of notes and description, but being able to take it one further and let the user add their own categories would make a much powerful app, at least where I’m concerned. If you could add categories, and then subcategories, say, appearence as a section title, and then have eyes, height, etc as editable categories would be a dream.
I am however, working from a fannish, giggly writer’s perspective. Having no idea about how much time you have or knowledge you possess, I can’t quite say how possible it is. Still, it is a great concept you have there; those things, for me, at least, would make it a prime app to use. I adore the naming method you have going, and I like the interface, just trying to be helpful, really.
Take care. And sorry for the typos if there are any. My iPhone lacks very good autocorrection skills, it appears.
Oh noes! This is just drive-by constructive criticism, but I’m going to be straight with you– your original UI had real personality to it, and the new version looks like an Interface Builder sample project.
Conforming to the UI guidelines super strictly only gets you as sexy as the settings app.
Sushie, Thanks for the comments. I am planning an upgrade by end of summer (hopefully before I start Law school and the chance of me working on my applications becomes almost nil), and will look into allowing some editable categories. The major plan is to add iPad native capability, but I will also try to add some additional features, so thank you for much for you suggestions.
You should be able to email the people that were created. In the bottom left corner of either the name list or the individual people, there should be a button you can press that will allow you send an email with the information. This button should only *not* appear if email is disabled on the device. If that button is not there, let me know and I will troubleshoot it for you.
Ben, thanks for the criticism. I do appreciate it, and mostly agree with you. Conforming to the Apple UX too much makes it look like it was some tutorial project. I have been trying to refine my UX for the next release. As a side note, this is apparently a common pipeline for iPhone developers. We start with a slapped together UI that is based on what we like and looks nothing like an Apple app (My first version). Then we learn the UX standards, which are actually harder to code, so it looks like the standard Apple app. Then we move on to our own branding that looks good, but not like the settings app.
Again thanks for the comment. Hopefully, Version 3 will have some more style to it before I have to give up programming for the foreseeable future.