You wanted it, so we’re making it happen — Version 3 of the WORK[etc] iOS app is due to be released soon.
Version 3 features a slick new interface that complements the one we’re designing for the main web app. You can check it out in action through the video to the right. >>>
We’re also adding a host of additional features and functionalities. In a nutshell, we’ve basically crammed almost all of the entire WORK[etc] experience into your iOS device including a few features just recently added to the web app.
While we gear up for the app’s debut, let’s take a quick look at some of the new features that we’re adding in as per our users’ suggestions. Let’s start with the more general changes we’ve made to the iOS app.
APP-WIDE IMPROVEMENTS
More Efficient Navigation
A large number of users have been asking for the iOS app to mirror the web app’s ability to create and add new leads, support tickets, and other new objects from anywhere in the system. To do that, we’re adding a new side panel menu that lets you create a new object with a swipe and a tap.
Faster Performance
Version 3 makes heavy use of caching, so frequently accessed objects load much faster. How much faster? At least ten times. The app also performs a quick check for how current the data being loaded is, ensuring that what you see is the most current data available.
Enhanced User Interface
The new iOS app interface takes full advantage of and properly scales itself to the higher resolution screens on new iPhones, so no squinting necessary. There was a bit of a trade off between readability and how much information is displayed on-screen at any given time, but we believe that the former is a much more pressing concern right now.
Version 3’s new and improved dashboard will also give users a bird’s eye view of what they’ve been working on and what events they currently have scheduled. This should cut down on the time spent accessing pertinent projects and events when you’re using the mobile app.
MODULE-SPECIFIC ENHANCEMENTS
And now on to the more module-specific enhancements:
Timesheets
We’re implementing a thorough overhaul of the app’s timesheet system to enhance the user experience. The app will let you launch a timesheet from practically any screen and comes with a new “Start / Stop” timer.
Contact Activity History
You will be able to see any contact’s activity history including correspondence on the app. That’s a lot of data, so we’re also throwing in more advanced and refined filtering options to let users quickly and easily find the specific information they’re looking for.
Image Attachments
Version 3 will allow users to take, upload, and attach images to objects. Users can, for example, take a pic of a receipt and charge it against an expense or snap a photo of a business card and attach it to a new lead, among other things.
Projects and Tasks
The overhauled project module for the iOS app now includes almost everything you’ve come to love in the web app. Both Activity View and the Nest Tree View are in. Custom Fields, which let users further customize WORK[etc] and collect more specific information that’s relevant to their business no matter how niche, have also been included in Version 3.
Discussions
Collaboration across all team members will also be made easier with the new Discussion feature. This is already live on the web app and will be part of Version 3 when it launches. Users will be able to start and attach threaded discussions to contacts, leads, projects, tasks — just about any item in WORK[etc]. It cuts down on the amount of email you receive and even lets you make requests aimed at specific members of your team.
So when will it become available?
The first beta for Version 3 is scheduled to commence in around six to eight weeks. It will initially be open only to WORK[etc] Insiders, so if you want to get a closer look at Version 3 before anybody else you might want to sign up now.
Don’t worry, Android users — we haven’t forgotten about you guys. Version 3’s Android release is about eight weeks behind the iOS app, but considering the amount of time an app spends getting vetted by Apple the launch gap between the two will likely be less than that.
If we’ve missed anything for this next release — a tweak, a feature, or whatever else — please don’t hesitate to tell us. You can do so via the comments or on our feature suggestions forum.
