The Brief
When MyPTHub came to us they were actively developing their web app in-house, but needed a partner with the expertise to take that web app and to provide both Android and iOS mobile apps with a native feel that captured the same functionality. The mobile apps had to use the MyPTHub API in order to allow users to perform the same actions that they could on the web, and also had to match the visual style of the web app while maintaining a native feel for both Android and iOS platforms. The apps also had to provide good offline functionality so that users would be able to use the app without having to be online.
What We Did
After meeting with MyPTHub to go over UX, user flows and design mock-ups, mobile app development started using Apache Cordova and AngularJS to provide a hybrid app for Android and iOS platforms. After building the initial templates we decided to try the (as then brand new) Ionic framework so that we could provide the necessary native feel for both platforms more easily. After trying it we never looked back; our first app developed using Ionic was a success! We were able to keep developing a hybrid app while also providing the native feel for both platforms, which was a definite requirement of the project.
After implementing the complete MyPTHub API interface within the app, we built a layer between the app and API to provide offline caching. We also built a system which synchronises all user data to the device once the device is found to be online. Additionally to this, we also allowed exercise videos to be downloaded to the device for offline playback when the device was found to be using an un-metered WiFi connection. This allowed the app to work offline, meaning that users could watch exercise videos, log workouts and view their exercise plans while at the gym even without a data connection.
Results
The MyPTHub apps allowed users to use the system on their Android and iOS devices while actually at the gym, which was the primary reason for their development. The offline mode we developed allowed trouble-free operation even if the gym environment did not allow mobile data connections, all before "offline-first" experiences and Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) became widespread. The native look and feel of the apps on both platforms helped to enhance the user experience on mobile devices and the designs closely matched that of the existing web app, making it much easier for users to use both.
How It Looks
The MyPTHub app was designed to match the design of the web app closely while maintaining a native look and feel across both Android and iOS platforms. View more by clicking the images below.
