We’re rolling out the first beta version of the new iPhone app for Nozbe.
“We” is a very complex thing in this aspect, as my company is NOT building the new iPhone app, we decided to partner with experts in building stuff for the Mac (and iPhone), a company called:
Why this partnership?
Because building dedicated apps is not our core competency, after we’ve built the first iPhone app we decided to we’d better focus on getting the web app right (hence Nozbe 2.0) and let others create apps for our platform.
What’s different?
1. We’ll be doing it together
First off, we’re building the app with them, so our know-how is there and I’m making sure the app is great, but on the other hand Macoscope team has ideas on their own that will make the app even better.
2. There will be constant development
Macoscope guys recognize that for the iPhone app to be really successful, they’ll need to be updating the app on the regular basis with bug fixes, improvements and most of all, new cool productivity features to make most of the iPhone platform. We’ve got real cool gems in the pipeline. You’ll be amazed.
3. The app will not be free anymore.
Don’t worry, the app will be just a few bucks, so no one is running for your money. Yes, I know that’s a controversial decision and not really inline with the old app, but the new iPhone app will be distributed by Macoscope and it’ll cost a few bucks.
There will be an introductory price for the current customers and I’ll be offering special savings on Nozbe plans to make the transition for all of you as smooth as possible.
Would you want the old iPhone app with no updates or would you prefer pay a few bucks to make sure the new app is getting better all of the time? Yes, that’s the tradeoff, and I’m sure it’s woth it. You’ll see.
4. There will be an iPad version
We’re all very excited about the new iPad and the possibilities for a yet better and more complete productivity application. Macoscope will bring you the best GTD iPad app by modifying the Nozbe’s interface for that device.
5. The new Nozbe for iPhone will help collaboration
With comments, delegating, project sharing and some really cool iPhone-only features, the new Nozbe for iPhone will be an ideal companion for your team’s Nozbe business multi-user account
What’s the rollout schedule?
The first beta is out to the first batch of Nozbe beta-testers and it’s focusing mainly on the new UI and the sync.
Beta 2 will feature attachments (files in Nozbe projects) and project sharing and delegation – to be released by the end of this week.
Beta 3 will feature comments and true GTD Inbox – in two weeks
Beta 4 will be a release candidate that will make sure all the main bugs and issues are sorted out – in three weeks
The new Nozbe 2 for the iPhone will hit the Appstore in 4-5 weeks if all goes according to plan. Let’s make the app really great! Together.
In the next posts I’ll be showing you new screenshots of the new Nozbe 2 iPhone app
Commentaires:
Thanks man, together with Macoscope we’ll focus on making it really fantastic. We’re changing the focus and business model of the app, but we strongly believe it’s for the best for our users :-)
Oooh, exciting! Can’t wait! And I don’t mind paying for a good app either. Heck, I’ve paid for countless bad apps anyway! :
Same here…happy to pay a few bucks…just want is ASAP! Love to see screenshots and feature list as soon as you can share. Are we looking at push notification for task reminders?
Thanks for the heads up, guys, I’ll post screenshots on Tuesday after I get my hands on the new beta :-)
Awesome! I was hoping you guys would work on the iPhone app. Too many companies just create (or outsource) the development once and let it linger without new features.
Michael: Testing sync properly is hard. user testing is not nearly enough (i’ve written mobile sync’s before).
You need to invest in massive automated testing – e.g., test routines make varied and random changes on side A (web), a separate routine computes what the result should be on side B after a sync of those changes, then run your actual sync code and compare. And same thing in other direction – have iPhone app instrumented to do it as well. Different variations on this theme of having one set of code check the results of another. IT IS LOTS OF WORK but the alternative is sync code that is only 99.9% reliable. There is an English word that describes synchronization code that only works 99.9% of the time: useless. And the investment in all of this testing infrastructure will more than pay off in place of all the chasing down obscure sync bugs your dev team will do in the next few years.
If you can invest in someone else’s sync engine underneath you, then I would highly recommend that!! Otherwise 5 weeks of testing seems ambitious.
My $0.02….
The current app sucks as I’m sure we can all agree. It loses data, doesn’t sync well, is buggy, and has to be reinstalled constantly. After waiting 7+ mos for this version to be replaced I’m a little disappointed to hear you’re going to offer a “discount to current users for the new version”. That doesn’t seem very nice to your loyal customers like myself, who have been waiting for so long for the app to be fixed. I understand your need to make money and support further iPhone app growth, but you shouldn’t do it at the expense of customers who’ve put up with the current junky app, and have provided you the time to fix the problem.
Thanks for the heads up guys!
Allen – you are a paying and a long time Nozbe customer – to all great users like yourself I’ll have a special offer – once you buy the app in the Appstore and you feel I’m doing the app at your expense, send me the proof of purchase and I’ll reimburse you the money via PayPal.
My goal is to make you as a user happy and not to make more money off you. I decided to stop developing the app in-house and partnered with Macoscope to have them develop the app. I’m not getting the dime from the app sales they make. But I’ll be happy to reimburse you the money – I want you to be happy and productive. That’s the goal. Not more of your money. And thanks again for your trust and for being a great user – it means a lot to me.
Now all my focus is on this new iPhone app, I’m making sure the Macoscope guys develop an app that will blow your mind and make you even more productive. Next beta will be sent to testers tomorrow. Will post more screenshots next week.
The v2.0 looks great! Can we get access?
If the new app will sync 100% reliably, then I’m OK to pay for it.
All the decent task manager apps for iPhone are paid apps – no problem with Nozbe joining them.
A great paid app has a lot more value than a free one with problems.
Michael, I would have thought that you and Macoscope would share the revenues from the sales of the app? In anycase, a success with this should bring in more Nozbe subscribers.
Really looking forward to Nozbe iPhone 2.0!!
Hi Michael, any plans for an iPad version?
Hi Michael, an absolute must feature is to have phone numbers automatically become a link so that you can call them… toodledo does this and you really need to do so too… please!
What is the procedure for becoming a beta tester? I would really love to get involves in testing as the make or break for me on becoming premium is a functioning iPhone app. Thanks!
Please fast track the iPad version. I don’t want to go with another service, we’re happy with yours, but there are many others that have iPad, and this is critical, as my goal is to really go paperless with my ipad and nozbe, and right now nozbe is what’s holding me up!!
...oh yeah, can you at least give us an expected date for iPad version?
Whats the status of the iphone updated version? I am very close to leaving nozbe if this is not updated soon.
Same here. Been patiently waiting on the planned iPhone update for 6 months… the Evernote integration is a nice touch but without having a fast, and usable Nozbe for mobile use is pushing me towards the alternatives.
Hi Michael. Can you give us a status update on the app?
Any thoughts on an Android version sometimes soon for us individuals who use the G1 or similar product?
Still no screenshots as promised (unless I missed something). At this point, I just want the app. Are we not on top of the original projected release date? Please inform Michael.
I am removing my things from nozbe this week. I am going to a paper planner. Its there when I need it. With out a working iphone app this software is not useful unless your in front of a pc or laptop. I will be leaving nozbe after I clean out my list. I just cant hang on until…
Just posted a status update – sorry for the wait guys, but we really want to make this one work great. Later in May we’ll make the app universal (with both iPhone and iPad versions in one app :-)
Go, Michael, go. Sounds great!
App is in the store as of today!! I’m using it and so far it’s working fine.
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If it’s not free anymore … i don’t care and i am happy to pay for a good app! :)