iOS design startup Play lets developers easily share app prototypes via App Clips

[ad_1]

Apple introduced App Clips in 2020 with iOS 14. The idea was to allow developers to share part of their app with users, who can experience an app’s features without installing a full version. Native iOS design app Play has launched an exciting new feature: it allows developers to easily share prototypes of their apps via App Clips (like this one).

Company co-founder and co-CEO Dan LaCivita told TechCrunch on a call that designers and developers face a problem when it comes to sharing prototypes with their team or their users.

“If I’m developing an app and want to share a prototype that someone can experiment with on their phone, they either have to see a video, try a web simulation, or install another app. Because we are a native design tool, we can leverage all elements of the Apple system to deliver a complete experience of using an app through a prototype,” LaCivita said of the inclusion of an App feature. Clip in Play.

He said that some of the methods mentioned above might not properly communicate the developer’s intent behind a feature or function. But App Clip does a much better job. LaCivita believes this will speed up the feedback loop for app creators.

Users can scan an App Clip’s QR code, tap an NFC-enabled surface, or click a link to experience App Clip on their iPhone.

Use App Clips as testing material

Apple has made some changes to App Clips as support during the year after their first introduction in 2020. The company has gradually increased the App Clip size limit from 10MB to 15MB and now to 50MB.

Last year at WWDC, the company also presented a way for developers to invoke App Clips from another application. For example, someone can place a food order directly from a message or map app via an App Clip.

Despite these feature additions, it’s not clear how developers are adopting App Clips for testing or demonstrations.

In June 2022, during a podcastFormer Apple CMO Wiley said App Clips didn’t initially take off because they launched in the middle of the pandemic.

“We had the misfortune of launching App Clips in the middle of the pandemic, which pushed more people indoors. And those kinds of instant, on-the-go experiences weren’t a priority for a lot of people. The developers told us to wait a bit [to adopt App Clips] because everyone is inside,” he said.

As AppleInsider Highlighted in December 2022, App Clips also faces the problem of discoverability as developers have to work hard to make them visible to users.

The company

Reading announced for the last time $9.1 million in funding led by First Round Capital and Oceans Ventures in 2021. The company said it raised $5.5 million in a seed extension in early 2023. M13 led the round with participation from First Round Capital , Cursor Capital led by former Figma executive Badrul Farooqi. and irregular expressions.

Since the last funding round, the company has launched a Mac client, so designers can work with iOS elements on a desktop computer and the data is synced across devices. Developers can also generate SwiftUI code to present views in Xcode.

Image credits: Play

The company has also launched team and individual tiers, with thousands of active users across all tiers, and plans to launch a company-specific tier soon. This year, the startup will launch the ability to design more complex interactions for developers. Additionally, Play plans to launch a community library where users can share what they’ve been working on.

LaCivita said Play may explore design tools for surfaces like Apple Watch or Mac in the future, but it’s currently focused on iOS development.



[ad_2]

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *