Title: Proposal for an official WordCamp app for iOS, watchOS and tvOS Author: Cesar Tardaguila Published: January 10, 2020 Last modified: January 11, 2020 --- [ ](https://profiles.wordpress.org/ctarda/) [Cesar Tardaguila](https://profiles.wordpress.org/ctarda/) 4:02 pm _on_ January 10, 2020 Tags: [apps ( 3 )](https://make.wordpress.org/community/tag/apps/), [mobile ( 2 )](https://make.wordpress.org/community/tag/mobile/)    # Proposal for an official WordCamp app for iOS, watchOS and tvOS ## **Summary** I have built a prototype of iOSiOS The operating system used on iPhones and iPads., iPadOS, watchOS and tvOS apps that I would like to propose to be adopted as the official WordCampWordCamp WordCamps are casual, locally-organized conferences covering everything related to WordPress. They're one of the places where the WordPress community comes together to teach one another what they’ve learned throughout the year and share the joy. [Learn more](https://central.wordcamp.org/about/). apps for Apple platforms. ## **Context** Back in June 2019, Apple announced a new way of building user interfaces, called [ SwiftUI](https://developer.apple.com/xcode/swiftui/), in their annual[ developer’s conference](https://developer.apple.com/wwdc19/). Right after the announcement, I started playing with the new frameworks. My initial goal was to evaluate the new tools and the feasibility of using them in my daily practice, as well as having some fun chasing the new shiny thing. In order to really stretch the boundaries of the new tools offered by Apple, I decided to build something that could go beyond just a throwaway prototype, simple enough to be built fast, and complex enough to incorporate some challenges: something that would fetch data from a remote server, and render it on screen. The[ WordCamp Central API](https://make.wordpress.org/hosting/2017/02/10/building-a-machine-readable-list-of-wordpress-events/) seemed like a great candidate for this prototype. It provides structured, simple data, in a domain that I am familiar with and deeply care about. What started as a prototype has now reached a point where it provides enough functionality to be handed over to the community and released to the public. ## **Motivation and goals** The project started as a playground to learn and experiment about the language and frameworks that are soon going to become the standard building tools for IOS development. However, I soon realized that this could be more than just an internal mechanism for learning, as it started showing potential as an actual project, a project that could be shared and contributed back to the community. Currently, my goals for this project are: * Encouraging native iOS developers to interact with WordPress, building a contributor base for the official WordPress Apps. * Providing a playground to explore the strengths and limitations of the new frameworks released by Apple to all iOS developers and potential new best practices. * Giving an opportunity to native iOS devs to engage with [the WordPress Mobile team.](https://make.wordpress.org/mobile/) * Solving the current lack of an official WordCamp app for iOS. * Gathering and sharing anonymous usage data that could help when considering a reset of the app’s Android counterpart. ## **Project overview** The project provides, in a single codebase: * An iOS / iPadOS app. * A watchOS app. * A tvOS app. The functionality of the three apps is slightly different, as they adapt to the strengths (and limitations) of each platform, but the common denominator is: * A List of Upcoming Events. * A Details Screen with information related to a single event. * Data obtained from the WordCamp CentralWordCamp Central Website for all WordCamp activities globally. [https://central.wordcamp.org](https://central.wordcamp.org) includes a list of upcoming and past camp with links to each. APIAPI An API or Application Programming Interface is a software intermediary that allows programs to interact with each other and share data in limited, clearly defined ways.. The apps are implemented using stock controls, and provide basic integrations with the system, like Maps and directions, Voice Over, Dynamic Type, or Dark Mode. ### **iOS / iPadOS** This app provides the most functionality and maximizes information density. The app starts to a list of events: [⌊Screenshot of proposed WordCamp for iOS app displaying a list of events on a device in Dark Mode⌉⌊Screenshot of proposed WordCamp for iOS app displaying a list of events on a device in Dark Mode⌉[ Proposed WordCamp for iOS app. List of Events (Dark Mode) The list of events can be filtered: [⌊Proposed WordCamp app for iOS displaying a list of events filtered by the text" as", running on a device in Light Mode⌉⌊Proposed WordCamp app for iOS displaying a list of events filtered by the text "as", running on a device in Light Mode⌉[ Proposed WordCamp app for iOS displaying a filtered list of event. Light Mode And the details screen provides the most dense information of all the apps: location and dates, venue information, description, links to the event website, and the Twitter account. [⌊Proposed WordCamp app for iOS displaying detailed information about WordCamp Asia, including a map view, and information about dates and venue⌉⌊Proposed WordCamp app for iOS displaying detailed information about WordCamp Asia, including a map view, and information about dates and venue⌉[ Proposed WordCamp app for iOS. Details view, including map and venue information Tapping the map will open the venue location in Apple Maps. ### watchOS The watchOS app can be installed independently from the iOS app, and provides a list of upcoming events that can not be filtered:  [⌊Proposed WordCamp app for watchOS displaying a list of upcoming events⌉⌊Proposed WordCamp app for watchOS displaying a list of upcoming events⌉[ The proposed WordCamp app for watchOS, displaying a list of upcoming events and a details view with the location, dates, name of the venue, and a map that opens the default Maps app when tapped. * ![Proposed WordCamp app for watchOS displaying extended information for WordCamp Valladolid](https://make.wordpress.org/community/files/2020/01/IMG_6010.png) * The proposed WordCamp app for watchOS displaying extended information about a single event * ![The proposed WordCamp app for iOS displaying a map of the venue](https://make. wordpress.org/community/files/2020/01/IMG_6011.png) * The proposed WordCap for watchOS displaying the location of the venue in a map ### **tvOS** The tvOS app is a little behind in terms of functionality. At the moment, it provides a list of events, and a details screen with just the name, location,dates of the event, and the name and location of the venue. * [⌊Screenshot of the proposed WordCamp tvOS app displaying a list of upcoming events⌉⌊Screenshot of the proposed WordCamp tvOS app displaying a list of upcoming events⌉[ * Screenshot of the list of upcoming events displayed on an Apple TV * [⌊Screenshot of the proposed WordCamp tvOS app displaying a information for a single event⌉⌊Screenshot of the proposed WordCamp tvOS app displaying a information for a single event⌉[ * Screenshot of details screen for a single event ## **Proposal** The apps are reaching a point where they are almost ready for a public release, and the code is [available for review on GitHub](https://github.com/ctarda/WordCamp). I would like to propose that this project, and the associated apps, is adopted as the official WordCamp iOS/watchOS/tvOS apps, with the source code being moved to [https://github.com/wordpress-mobile/](https://github.com/wordpress-mobile/), and maintained by the Mobile team. ## Feedback Please share your feedback and thoughts about this proposal in a comment on this post! And if you have any design feedback or feature suggestions for the apps, I’d love to hear them! Thank you! +make.wordpress.orgWordPress.org The community site where WordPress code is created and shared by the users. This is where you can download the source code for WordPress core, plugins and themes as well as the central location for community conversations and organization. [https://wordpress.org/](https://wordpress.org/)/mobile [#apps](https://make.wordpress.org/community/tag/apps/), [#mobile](https://make.wordpress.org/community/tag/mobile/) ### Share this: * [ Threads ](https://make.wordpress.org/community/2020/01/10/proposal-for-an-official-wordcamp-app-for-ios-watchos-and-tvos/?share=threads) * [ Mastodon ](https://make.wordpress.org/community/2020/01/10/proposal-for-an-official-wordcamp-app-for-ios-watchos-and-tvos/?share=mastodon) * [ Bluesky ](https://make.wordpress.org/community/2020/01/10/proposal-for-an-official-wordcamp-app-for-ios-watchos-and-tvos/?share=bluesky) * [ Facebook ](https://make.wordpress.org/community/2020/01/10/proposal-for-an-official-wordcamp-app-for-ios-watchos-and-tvos/?share=facebook) * [ X ](https://make.wordpress.org/community/2020/01/10/proposal-for-an-official-wordcamp-app-for-ios-watchos-and-tvos/?share=x) * [ LinkedIn ](https://make.wordpress.org/community/2020/01/10/proposal-for-an-official-wordcamp-app-for-ios-watchos-and-tvos/?share=linkedin) * [Login to Reply](https://login.wordpress.org/?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fmake.wordpress.org%2Fcommunity%2F2020%2F01%2F10%2Fproposal-for-an-official-wordcamp-app-for-ios-watchos-and-tvos%2F%23respond&locale=en_US) 1. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/a436ab0e9c96432f9852e6c89a6efba387bbbd837e6f3eb29d1c97edad80f6ec? s=32&d=mm&r=g) 2. [Drivingralle](https://profiles.wordpress.org/drivingralle/) 6:18 pm _on_ January 10, 2020 3. Love the idea! 4. A feature I would love to see is a watch later list, so I can collect talks to view later. Maybe even a watch offline feature to watch while traveling to or from a WordCampWordCamp WordCamps are casual, locally-organized conferences covering everything related to WordPress. They're one of the places where the WordPress community comes together to teach one another what they’ve learned throughout the year and share the joy. [Learn more](https://central.wordcamp.org/about/).. 5. * ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/48610f2e46ca359163c18e8ff8a2d8de817817a15f74431bfe0ce900f7f0ca31? s=32&d=mm&r=g) * [Cesar Tardaguila](https://profiles.wordpress.org/ctarda/) 4:20 am _on_ January 11, 2020 * 😃 Thanks! * And thanks for suggestions! Being able to, at the very least, see the schedule is something I have been playing with already 😊 6. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/b637d7016c15fb187906a8bad791f77ebf740c160f1a70bf5593a59372b01c54? s=32&d=mm&r=g) 7. [Stefan Kremer (stk_jj)](https://profiles.wordpress.org/stk_jj/) 10:33 am _on_ January 11, 2020 8. Thumbs up for this idea! What I would love to see on my tvOS even more would be the lastest video releases of WordPress.tv. 9. * ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/48610f2e46ca359163c18e8ff8a2d8de817817a15f74431bfe0ce900f7f0ca31? s=32&d=mm&r=g) * [Cesar Tardaguila](https://profiles.wordpress.org/ctarda/) 3:00 am _on_ January 12, 2020 * Thanks Stefan! * That is a very interesting idea that I had not considered, thanks you! 10. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/256e919d15a299d7da5ec9868517f1392b2e508e74124bb18d622d94feb77846? s=32&d=mm&r=g) 11. [Sam Suresh](https://profiles.wordpress.org/samsuresh/) 11:40 am _on_ January 16, 2020 12. The app looks great and thanks for your efforts in writing a proposal. 13. Honest critics: 1. The features are limited to generic info which is available on Central page. Why should we maintain an app for the generic info? This will require the extra resource to maintain and update. 2. Only available for iOSiOS The operating system used on iPhones and iPads. which is not inclusive. This is not aligned with community team principles. 14. * ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/48610f2e46ca359163c18e8ff8a2d8de817817a15f74431bfe0ce900f7f0ca31? s=32&d=mm&r=g) * [Cesar Tardaguila](https://profiles.wordpress.org/ctarda/) 4:21 am _on_ January 17, 2020 * Thank you for your message Sam! * Those are valid concerns. The features are limited, as you mentioned. I would say that the features are limited now, but that does not mean it’s going to be like that forever 😉 One of main points of adopting this app would be that development could continue at a steady path, therefore adding more features. This is setting the foundation for future development. * Yes, this is iOSiOS The operating system used on iPhones and iPads. only for now. My bandwidth is limited 😊 * But as I mentioned in the Motivation and Goals section, seeing the adoption of this app on iOS could help when it comes to deciding a reset of its Android counterpart. 15. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/1dba75a903be8eb13bae6f961d81a99e5c76d5ca8c327a18bc25e96df2417b99? s=32&d=mm&r=g) 16. [Hugh Lashbrooke](https://profiles.wordpress.org/hlashbrooke/) 12:09 pm _on_ January 29, 2020 17. This looks like a great app and I think it would be a really solid addition to the WordCampWordCamp WordCamps are casual, locally-organized conferences covering everything related to WordPress. They're one of the places where the WordPress community comes together to teach one another what they’ve learned throughout the year and share the joy. [Learn more](https://central.wordcamp.org/about/). program and available community apps. 18. I just have a couple of questions about it all: 19. a. Do you think it’s realistic for the Mobile team to maintain this in the long term? I’m asking because it would be worse to have an app that doesn’t get maintained rather than having no app at all. b. Sam already asked about an Android version, and I know there is an Android app available already, but that app isn’t really maintained or looked after. With this kind of thing, I feel like it would be problematic from an inclusion perspective if we didn’t also provide an Android app. I don’t know if we would need both versions of the app at launch, but so long as there’s an Android app in development, or soon to be released then I think it will be fine. Is that something that the Mobile team would be able to commit to doing? It could mean porting this app to Android, taking the existing app and bringing it up to speed with this one, or simply writing a completely fresh Android app. 20. I also feel like it’s worth mentioning here that PWA functionality is being worked on for WordCamp.org, so having this directory type app alongside a PWA built into each event website would be really great to see. 21. * ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/48610f2e46ca359163c18e8ff8a2d8de817817a15f74431bfe0ce900f7f0ca31? s=32&d=mm&r=g) * [Cesar Tardaguila](https://profiles.wordpress.org/ctarda/) 8:52 pm _on_ January 30, 2020 * Thanks for your comment Hugh. * To answer your questions… 1. Yes, but one of our goals here is to get contributors, among other reasons, so that we can lessen the load on the mobile team. 2. We would use the proposed iOSiOS The operating system used on iPhones and iPads. app to gauge interest and make a decision about an Android app. * And, out of curiosity, I guess PWA stands for Progressive Web App? That sounds exciting! - ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/1dba75a903be8eb13bae6f961d81a99e5c76d5ca8c327a18bc25e96df2417b99? s=32&d=mm&r=g) - [Hugh Lashbrooke](https://profiles.wordpress.org/hlashbrooke/) 12:11 pm _on_ January 31, 2020 - OK – that all sounds good. - Yeah – the PWA for WordCamp.org was started by the WCEUWCEU WordCamp Europe. The European flagship WordCamp event. 2019 team and it has been in development since then. It’s about ready for launch so all WordCamps can take advantage of it – should be by the end of this week or next when the final PR is merged and an announcement is made. It’s very exciting, and I think it will work nicely alongside the app you’re proposing here. * ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/48610f2e46ca359163c18e8ff8a2d8de817817a15f74431bfe0ce900f7f0ca31? s=32&d=mm&r=g) * [Cesar Tardaguila](https://profiles.wordpress.org/ctarda/) 9:21 pm _on_ February 2, 2020 * Nice, that sounds very exciting! Looking forward to the PWA, timing is great, with WordCampWordCamp WordCamps are casual, locally-organized conferences covering everything related to WordPress. They're one of the places where the WordPress community comes together to teach one another what they’ve learned throughout the year and share the joy. [Learn more](https://central.wordcamp.org/about/). 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