iPhone Cigar App ... need beta testers

[tchariya]

dont have an iphone yet....but man if you get it out to the store i'm going to promote the hell out of it through all the geek review feeds I subscribe too. You gotta get a design going for your iphone app icon...since I don't have an iphone I can't see what you are using!

Also...more suggestion...

Allow a field to let you add notes to 'review' your own cigar for your inventory.

[Sauer Grapes]

Well. I guess I should apologize for dropping the ball. I had the computer issue, and then when I got that resolved, itunes wouldn't load the file onto my phone and would give me the "this file was not transferred to XXX because it cannot be played on this device" message.

I guess I also didn't realize the timeline you were working with.

[KenS]

Originally Posted by Sauer Grapes

I guess I also didn't realize the timeline you were working with.

No worries . I'm glad you got it working, but I also understand that people have lives with more important things going on. Any help is appreciated, but the timeline pressure is my own self-imposed pressure.

Thanks.

[Sr Mike]

I have an iPod Touch and willing to help out, I will have a lot of time over the next few days to use it.

1.BigBruce
2. Sr Mike

[alley00p]

Ken,
Unfortunately, I came down with that 72 hour bug that has me hacking and trying to coughing a lung out.

But, I've been adding and deleting cigars to the current database since I've been sitting at home.

You've apparently gotten the first thing I found fixed, which was the "forced capital" on the keyboard... most iPhone apps do this so it's a distraction to try and go back on each entry.

There are a number of sticks that aren't listed that I have in my humidor, especially Gurkhas, RP's and Macanudos in the NC section. I have about 150 sticks in there now, and when I get to work, I'll add some more from my work humidor.

I have only had the app crash twice in all the time I've been using it. Everyone who sees it has really liked it; I did attend a herf last night, even sick, and a number of BOTLs who saw it mentioned that maybe it was time to get an iPhone or iTouch!

I'm still working with the app, but other the couple of things I mentioned, I haven't had a lot to report.

Be back with more data soon....

[King James]

1. BigBruce
2. Sr Mike
3. King James

[Sauer Grapes]

Anyway, I got the issues sorted out and so far I've seen a few items left out of the reference cigars.

The Fuente Maduros aren't listed. These include several of their regular lines, but the only wrappers listed are the cameroons (and sun growns listed separately). CAO and Don Pepin are missing several lines as well. La Flor as well.

Also, some cigars don't have a size option, ie La Aurora 100 Anos.

It seems adding a cigar is cumbersome. For instance, when you add a cigar, it asks to a humidor or a wishlist. This is fine. The next screen to add it to the humidor is the cumbersome part. I'd like to see it default to the humidor if you only have one entered. If there is more than one, then have it default to a preselected default chosen by the end user. There is also something I don't like about the screen you enter the cigar info to add it, but I don't know how to make it better. I'd like to see pop up windows that direct the user through the required info, and keep the non required info like box code separate and on a similar screen they are on now.

The app seems VERY cuban oriented, which I think will be a mistake when it comes to the majority of american users. Seems like it'd limit your audience.

Also, I didn't have ANY of the crashing issues that others were having when adding or deleting humidors, cigars, or anything.

[KenS]

Originally Posted by Sauer Grapes

Anyway, I got the issues sorted out and so far I've seen a few items left out of the reference cigars.

The Fuente Maduros aren't listed. These include several of their regular lines, but the only wrappers listed are the cameroons (and sun growns listed separately). CAO and Don Pepin are missing several lines as well. La Flor as well.

One quick learning for me is that the reference database is the key value here, so yeah, I really need to build out the NC data. Unfortunately, a lot of that info is all over the map, whereas the CC data was much easier to find concisely (Wikipedia and a couple of internet sites have a lot of it captured very concisely).

Also, some cigars don't have a size option, ie La Aurora 100 Anos.

I think that's an exception rather than a rule, but I'll make sure it can show up blank if it's not needed.

It seems adding a cigar is cumbersome. For instance, when you add a cigar, it asks to a humidor or a wishlist. This is fine. The next screen to add it to the humidor is the cumbersome part. I'd like to see it default to the humidor if you only have one entered. If there is more than one, then have it default to a preselected default chosen by the end user. There is also something I don't like about the screen you enter the cigar info to add it, but I don't know how to make it better. I'd like to see pop up windows that direct the user through the required info, and keep the non required info like box code separate and on a similar screen they are on now.

Excellent point. I will see what I can do with this. Fundamentally, the only 'required' info is Humidor and Quantity, so those should be prompted more efficiently. I like that idea.

The app seems VERY cuban oriented, which I think will be a mistake when it comes to the majority of american users. Seems like it'd limit your audience.

Agreed. I originally was adding the cigar data as an "extra", since users can enter their own anyway, but clearly this data is one of the value propositions of the app, so I need to get focused on the NC data.

Also, I didn't have ANY of the crashing issues that others were having when adding or deleting humidors, cigars, or anything.

With beta 1, as long as you add humidor first, it shouldn't crash, and that seems like the most intuitive way anyway. If you tried to enter quantity first, I can assure you it would have crashed . Beta 2 (due out today or tonight) will fix that so you can add 'em any way you want.

Great feedback. Thanks

[KenS]

Beta 2 list is filled:

1. BigBruce
2. Sr Mike
3. King James
4. sikk50

PM going out shortly with instructions. Thanks everybody

[King James]

sounds good. After first cup of coffee I'll be ready to rock n roll

[Sauer Grapes]

I really like the idea of the app. In fact, when the final version is out, I may be one of your customers if the NC database is improved.

Ken, first suggestion for today(still beta1) under my cigars, it lists humidors, wishlist, etc. Might be nice to have the cuban, non-cuban option you get once you enter a humidor/wishlist.This would allow a view of the total # of a specific cigar, say if you have 5 cohiba's in one humidor, and 10 in another. It would allow a quick reference without going through multiple humidors for a inventory reference.

[KenS]

Originally Posted by promethius

Ken, first suggestion for today(still beta1) under my cigars, it lists humidors, wishlist, etc. Might be nice to have the cuban, non-cuban option you get once you enter a humidor/wishlist.This would allow a view of the total # of a specific cigar, say if you have 5 cohiba's in one humidor, and 10 in another. It would allow a quick reference without going through multiple humidors for a inventory reference.

Let's see if I understand correctly. Essentially, you would like to see an "All Humidors" item in the humidors list? That way, you could drill down to view your collection as a whole, instead of by individual humidor.

Do I have that correct? (I hope so, because that is pretty straightforward to code ).

[KenS]

Update:

Beta 2 is now built; just waiting for some info from 2 beta testers to send it out. I think we're still on track for release in a week or so.
Here's an updated status:

Bug Fixes and Design Changes

• FIXED: Application crash in certain situations adding or deleting a humidor
• FIXED: Application crash in certain situations adding a cigar to a humidor
• FIXED: No longer able to add a new humidor with the same name as an existing one
• FIXED: Humidors with apostrophe character caused inconsistent behavior
• FIXED: Detail page of non-cuban reference cigar was not displaying the "Filler" value
• FIXED: Detail page of reference cigar was not displaying the "Box Code" value

• CHANGED: Text entry now defaults to initial capital letters by word.
• CHANGED: Notes field in My Cigars detail now allows multiple lines of text, with scrolling field.
• CHANGED: Display the length as blank field instead of "(null) (0.0in.)" when no value is entered

• DATA: Began cleaning up default database for improved consistency (more to come)
• DATA: Additions to the cigar reference database (thanks beta 1 team!)
  (Total is now up to 891 unique cigars in the database)

Working On:

• Humidor names don't line up in certain circumstances
• Ability to add new cigars from the Brand List
• Need More NC's added to database
• Improvements to data entry to streamline the process
• Adding an "All Humidors" view to the My Cigars section.
• Continued data cleanup
• When viewing a "My Cigar" record, click a button to "Flip" to the details of that cigar.
  (beta testers haven't asked for that yet, but they will ).

Probably work on for future version:

• Linking to external info on the web (pricing, reviews, B&M's, etc)
• A field (or 2) to enter MSRP and/or price paid in the My Cigars section
• Ability to edit humidor name (workaround currently exists)
• A more robust "Smoking Notes" section of the App

[King James]

great job so far

[KenS]

One more screenshot for those that are watching but don't have the app. (the list scrolls for a few more items, like indicators for EL, RE and Discontinued.

[KenS]

Yet another screenshot, and a question: Notice that this cigar is an NC, so does not show the "Vitola" field, but does show "Binder", "Filler", and "Wrapper" (not necessary for CC's because they would all say "ISOM" anyway. In the 'my cigars' section, should I omit "Box Code" for NC's, or does that field apply in some way to NC's?

[KenS]

BETA 3 Progress Update

• FIXED: Humidor names don't line up in certain circumstances
• FIXED: Ability to add new cigars from the list of cigars for a specific brand
• DATA: Additions to the cigar reference database
  (Total is now up to 919 unique cigars in the database)
• Some Progress: Continued data cleanup
• WORKING ON THIS NOW: Adding an "All Humidors" view to the My Cigars section.

REMAINING ITEMS FOR BETA 3:

• Improvements to data entry to streamline the process
• When viewing a "My Cigar" record, click a button to "Flip" to the details of that cigar.
  (beta testers haven't asked for that yet, but they will ).

Probably work on for future version:

• Linking to external info on the web (pricing, reviews, B&M's, etc)
• A field (or 2) to enter MSRP and/or price paid in the My Cigars section
• Ability to edit humidor name (workaround currently exists)
• A more robust "Smoking Notes" section of the App

[DPD6030]

Just got my I-touch! I can't wait for this to be published.

[KenS]

BETA 3 is ready, and heading out to the beta testers. I hope this is the final beta before release.

Changes from BETA 2:

• FIXED: Humidor names don't line up in certain circumstances
• IMPROVED: Cigars with long names now wrap to a second line instead of truncating with '...' added.
• ADDED: Ability to add new cigars from the list of cigars for a specific brand
• ADDED: Length and Ring Gauge on the Cigar Listing view
• ADDED: Sort button on Cigar Listing view (by Name, Length, Ring Gauge)
• ADDED: Google Button on the cigar detail page launches a browser with search for the selected cigar.(Do people think this is useful?)
• DATA: Additions to the cigar reference database
  (Total is now up to 1,161 unique cigars in the database)
• Good Progress: Continued data cleanup
• Good Progress: Code cleanup and memory optimization

REMAINING ITEMS BEFORE RELEASE:

• STILL WORKING ON: Adding an "All Humidors" view to the My Cigars section.
• Improvements to data entry to streamline the process

Probably work on for future version:

• Linking to other external info on the web (pricing, reviews, B&M's, etc)
• A field (or 2) to enter MSRP and/or price paid in the My Cigars section
• Ability to edit humidor name (workaround currently exists)
• A more robust "Smoking Notes" section of the App
• When viewing a "My Cigar" record, click a button to "Flip" to the details of that cigar. (moved to Version 2)
  (beta testers haven't asked for that yet, but they will ).