New beta release - Salsa Rhythm for iPhone
Uri Shaked
This is an intermediate release, changes since BETA-2:
* Slight UI changes, suggested by Christian Gutierrez
* Ability to control the volume of individual instruments
* Facebook & Twitter buttons (currently the implementation is not
complete, so the buttons do nothing)
As always, your feedback is welcome,
Uri
SmartAlx
I've already expressed my feelings about this in the past so I won't
say any more except to say I think you are locking yourself in from
future enhancement. Of course you can later on add the play bar back
when you need the ability fast forward or rewind. That is only useful
though if you ever develop the ability to play music behind the beat
machine.
Personally I think the Twitter and facebook links belong on the about
page. They seem out of place.
I like the little i in the bottom righthand corner rather than this
new location. That's where I have seen it most often in other apps
and it makes more sense there out of the way in that practically
useless corner. Putting it next to the instrument program button is
inviting the end user to accidentally press the wrong button. That
would get on my nerves.
How do you change the volume for just one instrument? I think I
remember mentioning the importance of being able to deselect all
instruments and that would activate the global volume control. I
think I mentioned being able to tap the center to deactivate.
The spotlights look great. Still hoping for an alternate to the grey
fill for off instrument but I know that was my idea and I haven't
given an alternative yet. Sorry I've been so busy. Maybe just remove
the color from the off instruments. For that to be effective you'll
need more color on some if the instruments like the cowbell.
Anyway, that is my initial impression. Great work Uri.
Alex Schamenek
SmartAlx
it hidden away at all.
I think it would be very intuitive to be able to touch on an
instrument to activate it and use the volume bar on the main page to
control that volume. Touch the instrument again to deactivate it and
gain global volume control. Very simple to use and intuitive and
clean. Having to switch to a different screen seems clunky.
On May 29, 2010, at 6:07 PM, Uri Shaked <u...@salsa4fun.co.il> wrote:
SmartAlx
facebook button. That could be very frustrating. I really think they
Sent from my iPhone
On May 29, 2010, at 6:07 PM, Uri Shaked <u...@salsa4fun.co.il> wrote:
SmartAlx
intuitive. Great work on that one.
Sent from my iPhone
On May 29, 2010, at 6:07 PM, Uri Shaked <u...@salsa4fun.co.il> wrote:
SmartAlx
flip over to the instrument's programs. I'm ok with pressing the
button but I wonder what it would be like if holding the instrument
down did the same thing.
Sent from my iPhone
On May 29, 2010, at 6:07 PM, Uri Shaked <u...@salsa4fun.co.il> wrote:
SmartAlx
Have you thought about us being able to save the set up yet? I'd love
to be able to save just the clave and the conga at 80BPM and a
different set up including the piano and a third with the instructor,
and a 4th with all if the instruments at 90BPM. It would be great to
be able to save our own set ups and switch between them as needed.
Could you please at least have the app open up set up the way we had
it when we closed it down last? I think this is very important.
Sent from my iPhone
On May 29, 2010, at 6:07 PM, Uri Shaked <u...@salsa4fun.co.il> wrote:
SmartAlx
could they instead be greyed out so it's clear that they can't be
pressed? The spot looks vacant without anything there.
Sent from my iPhone
On May 29, 2010, at 6:07 PM, Uri Shaked <u...@salsa4fun.co.il> wrote:
Uri Shaked
Thank you for the detailed feedback - indeed, a lot of items. I have
set some priorities for the items I am going to put in,
as the following (first = higest priority). I'm not sure all of them
will get into to first release, as it's starting to lag behind...
1. Instrument left-right arrows always visible, and grayed out when
irrelevant.
2. Saving the setup on quit, restore on relunch. Maybe add a shake
gesture to reset?
3. Finding a better solution for the 'i' icon placement (read below)
4. Using the main volume controller to control the selected
instrument, tap a selected instrument to deselect it
5. Moving facebook/twitter button to about screen
The play button won't be moved away from the center of the screen
until there's a real need. This way we have more space for the
instrument circle, it looks much better, at least in my opinion, when
they are spaced and not stuck together one to each other...
Regarding the 'i' button - the reason I have moved it to the top bar
is for symmetry. Before moving it there, the instrument options bar
looked like:
[<] [>] Program name [...]
So the 'Program Name' was centered in the space between the arrows and
the "open list" button, but it was not centered with other elements
(such as the 8 dots below).
Now when I put the [i] button there, it looks like this:
[<] [>] Program name [...] [i]
So by adding the [i] Icon the 'Program name' is both centered within
the inner space and on the screen... Maybe we should put there
something else? any ideas?
Uri
p.s. Tom is currently on a vacation, I hope he'll join the
brainstorming when he gets back...
On May 30, 3:11 am, SmartAlx <smart...@gmail.com> wrote:
> About the instrument programs right and left arrows disappearing,
> could they instead be greyed out so it's clear that they can't be
> pressed? The spot looks vacant without anything there.
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> On May 29, 2010, at 6:07 PM, Uri Shaked <u...@salsa4fun.co.il> wrote:
>
SmartAlx
related. I just know that whatever you put next to the program button
to balance out the symmetry, people will be accidentally pressing it.
Is it really not possible to center the program name without putting
another button there? What about an invisible button that doesn't do
anything? Put it on the left of the [...] button so it looks like:
[<] [>] Program name [...]
How important is symmetry anyway? I'm a designer by trade so I
personally find it a bit overrated. Form follows function.
-Alex
PS I was wondering why Tom was so quiet.
Sent from my iPhone
Uri Shaked
Thanks for your feedback. I will try your idea and post a screenshot, I need to see it visual...
Quick update - two new features are ready:
- Preserving the machine state between sessions - The application opens with the same configuration it had when you closed it last time.
- Basic twitter integration is completed, also facebook is half way done.
By the way, I'm adding a list of the top contributors in the about screen - Will it be ok if I add your name there ?
Uri
Alex Schamenek
Sure. I would be honored to have my name on that list. You can post my real name: Alex Schamenek. I could use some "street cred" in the local salsa community. LOL Thank you very much.
And thanks again for creating the original salsa beat machine and this iPhone app as well. I know you are personally responsible for making salsa soo much easier for thousands of fledgling salseros. I would have died for either version of the SBM 6 years ago.
I can't wait to see the screenshot.
Alex Schamenek
(713)621-2901
SmartAlx
Sent from my iPhone
so here is the screenshot:
As we can see here, there is some visual tradeoff if we just move the (i) icon down - maybe there's a better solution, I didn't have additional time to play with it...
<sampl1.png>
SmartAlx
Sent from my iPhone
so here is the screenshot:
As we can see here, there is some visual tradeoff if we just move the (i) icon down - maybe there's a better solution, I didn't have additional time to play with it...
<sampl1.png>
SmartAlx
Sent from my iPhone
so here is the screenshot:
As we can see here, there is some visual tradeoff if we just move the (i) icon down - maybe there's a better solution, I didn't have additional time to play with it...
<sampl1.png>
Uri Shaked
Regarding the empty spot - I just had a new idea, why not put there the selected instruments' image? I have made a quick prototype and created two screenshots, what's your opinion?
Clicking on the instrument can also open the program/volume control panel (like the options button), so even if u miss the button you will get to the same place...
Uri
Uri Shaked
to toggle their display from the new setting page.
Generally, the "info" view is now divided into four tabs:
"About", "Help", "Links", "Settings". The first three ones are mostly
informational: The about screen contains information about the author
and top contributors (yes, including your name in it!), and a contact
us button. The help screen - explanation about the user interface and
a short one line description of each of the instruments. Links - home
page of the application, related applications and more. Settings -
lets u remove all your personal data from the application (that is
facebook and twitter information), and also toggle the display of the
fb/twitter buttons in the main screen...
Upcoming release candidate today:
http://www.salsabeatmachine.org/blog/2010/06/the-release-candiadate-of-the-iphone-version-is-just-around-the-corner/
On May 30, 2:58 am, SmartAlx <smart...@gmail.com> wrote:
> I can definitely anticipate accidentally hitting the Twitter or
> facebook button. That could be very frustrating. I really think they
> belong on the about page.
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> On May 29, 2010, at 6:07 PM, Uri Shaked <u...@salsa4fun.co.il> wrote:
>
SmartAlx
It's good that you have the option of removing those buttons from the
main page, but really they just don't belong on the main page. I know
that you want to encourage new SBM fans to find your other resources
and to find those buttons easily if they are interested . But I
believe keeping them on the main page will make it seem like you are
"trying too hard" to find new customers. A lot of people don't ever
ever go into settings pages and look for options. They want to use
the app the way the developer intended. This is ESPECIALLY true of
Apple fans because that is how Apple operates with its customers.
Apple likes to "hold your hand" while you are using their products.
It "dumbs things down" so people never have to go deeper into the
software to do the things they want to do. So Apple people aren't
used to turning settings off so they won't go looking for a way to
turn those buttons off. They'll just live with them and try not to
accidentally hit them. But if the buttons aren't there and they want
to find you on facebook or twitter, the first place they'll look is
the about screen. Some people might think that you are ignorant
about how apps are organized and might then think of your app as
amateurish. I think the app looks professional but you don't want
anyone to get turned off. This is guaranteed to happen the first time
someone accidentally hits one of these buttons and the app closes down
to send them to facebook.
Frankly I think it's unnecessary for these two buttons to reside on
the main page. If your fans want to find you, they will go looking
for you in the little "i" in the app.
You are of course welcome to keep them on the main page and allow us
to remove them if we want. It is your app and we all appreciate the
hard work you did in making it. I am sure it will be a hit salsa app
with or without the Twitter / facebook buttons on the main screen. I
just think it's a mistake. People just expect to find contact
information and other projects and things like this on the about
screen. That's what the about screen is for. It allows you to keep
the main page clutter free and still provide a way for your fans to
find you elsewhere.
Anyway, I hope I didn't offend you in my comments. I just want you to
know my worries about putting those buttons there.
Thank you for your hard work in getting this out. I can't wait to see
the release candidate.
Alex
Sent from my iPhone
Uri Shaked
I have made this even better by making sure the "Facebook" and
"Twitter" buttons do not get in your way - they don't close the
application, rather all the interaction is within the application, so
even if a user accidentally clicks them he can click "cancel" in any
stage and return to the app. It doesn't even stop the music... Anyway,
I have decided to keep them in their place for this version.
The release candidate is finally available for download:
http://bit.ly/dxOvoL
Tomorrow there'll be an official announcement about it, but you can
already download and play with it. I have written some help text and
I'm sure you'll like the new "about" screen...
Uri
SmartAlx
within thr app but I forgot. Can't wait to play.
Sent from my iPhone
Uri Shaked
SmartAlx
Sent from my iPhone
SmartAlx
Sent from my iPhone
SmartAlx
Sent from my iPhone
Andres
I was finaly able to test the new user interface on the latest release
(been a bit busy these days).
The only problem about it is that it took me about 10 minutes to
understand you need to double tap to activate/deactivate the
instruments. In fact I think just adding a pop-up on first starp-up
with some explanations would be enough.
Andres
On 19 juin, 16:56, SmartAlx <smart...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Whoops. I meant can you include the 3-2 clave. It's needed to
> properly layer with the guaguanco bass.
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
>
> > Yes Uri, the about page looks great. I do think people aren't going
> > to notice the "social buttons" option, but that's ok. I'm glad that
> > you have the option. I think you aught to have your Twitter/FB
> > links on the about/links page too though, especially if they turn
> > the buttons off.
>
> > Do you think it's possible to include the 2-3 clave in the final
> > version? I remember you mentioning something about that. This is
> > arguably the most important instrument and 2-3 is pretty important
> > too. I forgot if you mentioned it but why may I ask were you keeping
> > the 2-3 rhythm out?
>
> > Sent from my iPhone
>
> > On Jun 18, 2010, at 10:34 PM, Uri Shaked <u...@salsa4fun.co.il> wrote:
>
> >> Great minds think alike, or so they say :)
>
SmartAlx
interraction. Having a fresh eye is welcome. Your input is a good
indication that the intuitiveness still needs work.
What other methods did you use to try to activate the instruments?
Did you try holding your finger down on the instrument? Did you try
swiping? Or did you search the menus for a way to activate the
instrument?
I personally think double tapping is fairly intuitive but agree that
there should be a clear simple guide on the basic usage. Did you look
for an instuction manual in the about screen?
Did you try to turn down the volume for individual instruments? Did
you find that easy to find and to use?
Sent from my iPhone
Andres
> Did you try holding your finger down on the instrument? Did you try
> swiping? Or did you search the menus for a way to activate the
> instrument?
would activate the instrument.
I then tried holding down my finger on the instrument.
Then I went into the menu.
> I personally think double tapping is fairly intuitive but agree that
> there should be a clear simple guide on the basic usage. Did you look
> for an instuction manual in the about screen?
to use.
I looked for an instruction manual but only after all other options
had failed. That's why I think on first start the instruction manual
should appear (with a "do not show again" option).
> Did you try to turn down the volume for individual instruments? Did
> you find that easy to find and to use?
group discussion). I had not seen it before.