App testers wanted

[WHOESOE]

I'm looking for 20 beta testers.

I made an app meant to aid in darkroom film processing. It doesn't collect data or ads or anything. I searched for something similar before making this myself. And now I'm off on the adventure of trying to publish it to the Google Play Store. Except publishing requires 20 testers willing to try the app for 14 days.

Since the app is aimed at darkroom users (and I know very few myself) I thought I might ask here. Can I get a few takers? You get a free app out of it.

 

[MattKing]

Is it usable on an Android tablet?

 

[WHOESOE]

Is it usable on an Android tablet?

I've only tried it on a tablet emulator (which is why it needs testing I guess), but yes: runs on a tablet.

 

[koraks]

It might help to know what the app does, generally speaking. Could you give a little more information, please?

 

[George Mann]

There are better places to publish it than the Google Play Store. But I am willing to check the app out.

 

[WHOESOE]

There are better places to publish it than the Google Play Store.

I've never made an app before. I would chalk "getting published in the Play Store" up as a win. Because then, I might tackle something more ambitious than this little thing I built.

It might help to know what the app does, generally speaking. Could you give a little more information, please?

The idea isn't that revolutionary, so posting it in a public forum would make it easy for anyone with a cursory understanding of app development to beat me to market.

I'd be glad to respond individually. But I joined the forum to ask the question, so it has neither been 5 days nor 20 posts. (Possibly, you all can still PM me despite this? In which case, sure I'll tell you.)

 

[BrianShaw]

I understand trying to protect proprietery secrets, but this is too hush-hush for me to take seriously. No thanks.

Timeō Danaōs et dōna ferentēs

 

[dokko]

so it's similar to Massive Dev Chart Timer or Dev It?

‎Massive Dev Chart Timer

‎The Massive Dev Chart is the world's largest film development chart with easy to use multi step timer and darkroom support for iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch. Watch the instructional video at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P915z6THiY8. *** Reviews *** "If you use a darkroom, or if you dev the...

apps.apple.com

‎Dev it - darkroom timer

‎Dev it! application will help you in analog films development. Main features are: - Large database with the most common films/developers combinations! - You can create, modify and delete your personal combinations! - You can SHARE your combinations with the users of Dev it and you can use...

apps.apple.com

and are you planning an iOS version?

 

[koraks]

I've never made an app before. I would chalk "getting published in the Play Store" up as a win. Because then, I might tackle something more ambitious than this little thing I built.

The idea isn't that revolutionary, so posting it in a public forum would make it easy for anyone with a cursory understanding of app development to beat me to market.

I'd be glad to respond individually. But I joined the forum to ask the question, so it has neither been 5 days nor 20 posts. (Possibly, you all can still PM me despite this? In which case, sure I'll tell you.)

No problem, I understand. In all honesty, I asked this so others might more easily respond to your idea; I myself have no intention of using a darkroom app at this point.

Your response does trigger some thoughts: if it's so easily imitable, I'd say that any of your beta testers might turn out being your future competitor, or they might spill the beans to a competitor without even realizing what they're doing. Moreover, once your app is in the store, it may be first, but an alternative might pop up in no-time.

Another angle on this is that an app is an experience product and some kind of sampling tends to be the most effective marketing strategy, so at some point you'll have to open up about wht it does anyway.

All considered, I'm not too sure whether keeping the functionality a secret is such a great idea - but don't let that quench your enthusiasm. I hope you succeed; good luck with the development!

 

[WHOESOE]

so it's similar to Massive Dev Chart Timer or Dev It?

It's not.

and are you planning an iOS version?

I built this using Expo, so it compiles to both Android and iOS. iOS publishing doesn't require a 20 person beta test, so far as I can tell.

once your app is in the store, it may be first, but an alternative might pop up in no-time.

Oh, I'm not concerned about "market" from the perspective of profit. Once an app category gets saturated, the stores have right of refusal on clones. Just try to get a calculator published these days.

Another angle on this is that an app is an experience product and some kind of sampling tends to be the most effective marketing strategy, so at some point you'll have to open up about wht it does anyway.

"Marketing strategy?" Don't get me wrong: making money on this would be swell. But advertising isn't my goal here. I'm simply trying to get something IN the store. I can't even submit that far without 20 Android-toting friends.

Once the app is IN the store, there's no need to be hush-hush.

In regards to "sampling"...wouldn't beta testers (inadvertently) be samplers?

 

[koraks]

In regards to "sampling"...wouldn't beta testers (inadvertently) be samplers?

Well, you said it - 'inadvertently'. The purpose to test, is, I imagine...to test!

In any case, I asked my initial question to help you put the group of 20 testers together. You've provided your arguments why you believe sharing more details is at this point undesirable, and that's OK! I can see the issue with category saturation etc.

Once more, good luck!

 

[MattKing]

If you are looking for testers, it would help to know at least generally what a user can expect to use the app for.
Not how it goes about it, but rather things like whether it can be used to aid in timing of film and print development, monitoring temperatures, calculating print adjustment times, playing music while working in the darkroom, archiving and measuring chemical recipes - whatever?
In addition, it would help to know what other equipment, if any, it is designed to work with.

 

[Alex Benjamin]

so it's similar to Massive Dev Chart Timer or Dev It?

It's not.

How could it not be? I mean, apart from user interface, how can an app "meant to aid in darkroom film processing" not have the features of these two apps whose only function is to aid in film processing — film/developer times according to ISO, timer, dilutions, agitation, etc.?

I'm with Matt King on this. If I am to test a new app, I need to know in advance what I can expect from it, that is similar, different, and ideally better, than the one (Massive Dev Chart Timer) I use every single week. If it's a totally different beast, meant for another purpose, then again, I'd need to know beforehand. If I'm going to test something, I'd want it to be something I might use (yeah, my time is that precious to me).

Nothing personal, but if your purpose is just "simply trying to get something IN the store", why would I give a damn?

 

[BrianShaw]

Perhaps it is an agitation timer for stand development. That's something never seen before!

 

[armadsen]

Professional app developer here. I released my first solo app 17 years ago, and have made my living writing apps for the last 14 years, mostly in media creation/analysis/editing stuff (audio, video, images).

Don't worry about people stealing your idea. Ideas themselves are ~worthless, execution is everything. Just get it out there. I'm not an Android user, but I'd be interested in trying the iOS version depending on what it does (no idea if it'd be useful for my workflow).

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

As I said over at LFPF, I'd be willing to test it.

 

[koraks]

Ideas themselves are ~worthless, execution is everything

Hear, hear! I've often said, and keep saying that "ideas are cheap - they come for free when taking a bath."

 

[WHOESOE]

I appreciate the feedback from everyone willing to reply.

In the end, I found the Android review process too daunting to continue. (It's like...unless one is willing to sink a lot of money and resources into a project, gone are the days of indy production. Poop.)