Testing an Android app for social motorcycle rides

One or two might remember that about a year ago I asked for people to test a mock-up interface for a smart-phone app that helped with social motorbike rides.

I've now created the application for my MSc dissertation and I need people to try it out. It's called Biker Buddy, and it lets you plan a social motorcycle ride and let other people join, and you can search for rides near you and choose to join them. When on a social ride, Biker Buddy will track your location and that of the other riders so that, once stopped, you can see where your riding buddies are.

You can see more information at http://bikerbuddy.allister.org.uk, and it should shortly appear on the Android Market search results.

It's important to note that by downloading the app you are consenting to take part in the research project, and to the statements found at http://bikerbuddy.allister.org.uk/consent.

You'll need an Android phone with 2.2 (Froyo) or higher to install it. This isn't a polished, professional, paid-for app, so you may find a few bugs here and there.

Once you have used it for a while, please help me by completing the questionnaire here.

Thank you!

Sounds like a fantastic app. Comming for iPhone?

Sounds good, I'll download in a min.

Originally Posted by MMN

Sounds like a fantastic app. Comming for iPhone?

'fraid not. I only had time to write it for one platform, and I chose Android because I found it easier. I have an iPhone myself and would have loved to write it for that, but the learning curve was too steep in the time available.

I might open-source the code so someone else can developer further and possibly port it to iOS though.

I'll download it and have a look. You'll have to check with your uni about open sourcing it, with my dissertation my uni retained some intellectual property rights iirc.

The Uni seems quite keen on me open-sourcing it. You're right, most uni's retain intellectual property rights but in this case the author keeps them and they're encouraging me to open-source so others can do more work.

Nice to see an attitude like that.

I really reckon this app has potential as long as it's spread enough. It's the sort of thing that does only work if enough people use it. Looking good though!

Originally Posted by Nutter

The Uni seems quite keen on me open-sourcing it. You're right, most uni's retain intellectual property rights but in this case the author keeps them and they're encouraging me to open-source so others can do more work.

Nice to see an attitude like that.

Great. Open source away I had to uninstall it though, doesn't support apps2sd and I dont have space on phone.

You're right Bordtea, it needs a critical mass before it becomes really useful - if you fill in the questionnaire after trying it, I'd appreciate it if you could include that comment in it.

Thanks for looking anyway punkyp.

There doesn't seem to be as much interest in this app as I expected, and not just in relation to this forum but also a number of others where I've mentioned it.

This honestly isn't intended as a rant or to make anyone feel guilty, but I am genuinely interested (not least so I can report it in my research) as to why people wouldn't want to use or try it. If you read this and could let me know, I'd be grateful. It would be useful if you could let me know whether or not you have an Android phone (or whether you don't know either way), and if you do have an Android phone whether you ever download apps or not.

Thanks! (and as I say, this really isn't a rant or guilt-trip)