Android Cigar Inventory App
camgfs
Posts: 968 ✭
Hi everyone.
There is a chance that I might be making an Android app for to track cigar inventory. The "prototype" will be an app that uses the built-in SQLite database that comes with every Android device. The prototype only has to be a proof of concept and needs to be completed in just a couple of weeks. The full version will include Web Services and possibly a full MySQL database. All of this is being done for a College course in Mobile Technology.
Now that I've bored you to death.... what I'm looking for is a little input. I am a total newbie when it comes to Android Apps, so what would you like to see in an inventory app?
I guess the issue I need to resolve is How elaborate does it have to be before anyone would use it, and are there already thoughsands of Apps like this already so it would be pointless?
The full app would be a development project starting in January and ending in April of 2013.
Please feel free to tell me your ideas, thoughts, and comments on what would make you use it and what would make you trash the app. Any input is welcome.
There is a chance that I might be making an Android app for to track cigar inventory. The "prototype" will be an app that uses the built-in SQLite database that comes with every Android device. The prototype only has to be a proof of concept and needs to be completed in just a couple of weeks. The full version will include Web Services and possibly a full MySQL database. All of this is being done for a College course in Mobile Technology.
Now that I've bored you to death.... what I'm looking for is a little input. I am a total newbie when it comes to Android Apps, so what would you like to see in an inventory app?
- If it was easy to use?
- if it had multiple screens to choose from?
- If it remembered your inventory and you could just deduct 1 stick each time you smoked one?
- would you prefer drop down links versus input text boxes to select brands/sizes/wrapper?
I guess the issue I need to resolve is How elaborate does it have to be before anyone would use it, and are there already thoughsands of Apps like this already so it would be pointless?
The full app would be a development project starting in January and ending in April of 2013.
Please feel free to tell me your ideas, thoughts, and comments on what would make you use it and what would make you trash the app. Any input is welcome.
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Comments
So the semmester has gone well, and I was the only student to have a working android concept application to display for the teacher and the class at final demonstration day. Well, not only did my proof of concept work, the teacher said that I NEEDED to persue the idea and that he wanted to see a full Web Server App completed and online (on the Android App Store) within 2 year!!....yes it could take that long to code everything the way it should work.
So here I am, bumping my own thread and once again asking for input.
Bring it on fellow BORKS and please tell me what features you would like to see in a "Cigar Inventory" App on Android.
What would you want to store?
The more ideas the better chance that I can roll out this app. Brainstorming and communication with a dedicated group of Borks like you is what this project needs to move forward.
If you assigned keywords to each cigar such as different strengths, flavors, wrappers, etc etc then you should be able to have the program see what you like, distill it down to the common factors, and suggest other cigars for you.
Keep us posted on this work!
Sounds like something Cigar Dojo might get into.
Thank you for the suggestion. Would you believe that I might get the chance to work on a project that is very similar to what you've suggested? I still have to decide if I'm throwing my name in the hat for that project, but the search capability they want is almost exactly what you are suggesting. Great idea.....keep them comming!
On the bad side, it would eliminate my "Pick My Stick" posts.
My idea does lean towards the "personal" cigar inventory, in the sense that you can add the brands YOU have instead of having a drop down list of countless brands and sizes.
Example:
Right now, I have about 200 cigars, from 7 to 8 different brands. Yes, I try some new things, but on average I only need to record 10 to 20 brands that I purchase, and room to add something 'custom' that I purchased. I'm leaning towards having the user add, remove, update and delete brands, sizes, quantities and such. Add a review and a photo tool and you have something that YOU can customize to your liking without having to search gazilians of data that you don't care about.
I will keep track of all the great ideas I've seen over the years in this forum and play with that info in future updates. I hope to propose continuing to work on this app as part of my college course next semmester.
Changes
That's it for now. I have seen many good ideas for what to include and what not to include in the app. There is no way I can program tha app to keep up with all of the new cigars on the market, but there will be the ability to create new entries for a brand, and then have access to all the data that you want to store for that brand.
Having the app hosted on the web allows the app to be used in any mobile device, formatted and sized to the available screen AND it will be available on the PC or Mac, as long as your browser supports the code.
Of course, when I need beta testers, I will ask here first! I will keep you posted.
I like Oliva and Quesada (including Regius) a lot. I will smoke anything, though.
The other thing I see is that you want an app that allows YOU, the user to add brands/manufacturers/vitolas/country of origin or anything else that you want to add to your cigar inventory. To be honest, I think that would be one sweet app...but can I build it in just the next 12 weeks? I guess we will see.
Update:
The project has been approved, and I have begun discussing the database design. If there are any DBA's in here who would like to share ideas/knowledge that would be great! I might be in over my head but that's how we learn things, right?
Keep the great ideas comming and I'll see what I can do.
The app will no longer be just for Android. Call me crazy, but I'm going to design this as a web-based app that will work on any device. Won't matter if it's a PC, Android tablet, IPhone or Windows Phone/tablet, it will be smart enough to know what to display to each user, depending on what device they are using.....I hope
I'm currently working on the database design model.
Timeline for this project:
I'm sure some of you would question the length of time involved, but I'm a full time student and this is for just one of my classes. If I fail at this project, I fail my course. Keep throwing those good ideas at me and I will do what I can to make this as good a product as I can. Even if it never gets to be a real product, it will be a good educational process. Wish me luck!
I still plan on refining the app and it got me an "A" for my course, so I think it's worthwhile doing. Once I move (in tree weeks) and get settled into my new job/house/city I hope to find the time to refine the app.
Thank you everyone who got in on the betta testing and for everyone's suggestions. For now, it's on hold until October. I will post once I get back to work on this.