Earlier quoted context omitted.
I'd recommend not forcing people to register to see generic information like this - I know HN is biased towards "Connect with Facebook to login", I would assume most are also biased towards registering to see content - I know I am.
Ok you guys are right. We're adding this to our site right now.
Show HN – Apptimize: A/B testing for native Android, iOS apps
31–40 of 54 posts
Re: Show HN – Apptimize: A/B testing for native Android, iOS apps
#32For folks interested in mobile A/B testing, also see an open-source alternative by Clutch: https://github.com/clutchio
Additionally, incumbent mobile A/B testing service http://www.leanplum.com -- I've used them for a while now and it's a pretty robust system with good support. Worth checking out IMO.
Re: Show HN – Apptimize: A/B testing for native Android, iOS apps
#33Earlier quoted context omitted.
How does the anonymous gathering of statistics harm you? As an app developer, this data allows me to measurably improve my apps. I have several free (no ads either) apps in the Android market, and even in the most trivial of apps I will include Google Analytics to receive crash reports, see what screens are most popular (so I can improve my apps where it matters most), where the app is being used (for some reason one…
If he is using your app, it implies that he somewhat trusts you. I think it's Google that he doesn't trust. Using an app shouldn't require trusting a third party with personal behavior data.
You're more than likely using the Android Marketplace, with a Google account, with credit card details associated. What don't you trust?
In general, apps that "phone home" suck, but let's not lump GA or crash reporting (like BugSense, etc) in that same group.
Re: Show HN – Apptimize: A/B testing for native Android, iOS apps
#34I've got some karma points to burn, so here comes something. A list of your clients would be nice to see. So that I'd know to never install any of their apps. I hate apps that phone home. I hate apps that phone to some random analytics companies even more. I don't like companies that enable, entice and profit from this sort of behavior, a behavior that every single user would opt out from if they were asked upfront .…
How does the anonymous gathering of statistics harm you? As an app developer, this data allows me to measurably improve my apps. I have several free (no ads either) apps in the Android market, and even in the most trivial of apps I will include Google Analytics to receive crash reports, see what screens are most popular (so I can improve my apps where it matters most), where the app is being used (for some reason one…
> As an app developer, this data allows me to measurably improve my apps.
I don't give a flying f#ck about that, sorry. This is my device and I don't like my device connecting god knows where at a whim.
As I said, if you were to tell your app users upfront that you will be tracking their usage, anonymous or not, and gave them an option to opt out, very few would not opt out. This is the exact same inherent need for privacy that is fueling current NSA debacle. It may be irrational, but it pretty damn real. People don't like to be tracked or watched.
Re: Show HN – Apptimize: A/B testing for native Android, iOS apps
#35For folks interested in mobile A/B testing, also see an open-source alternative by Clutch: https://github.com/clutchio
ClutchIO is not native, which is why something like this is needed.
Re: Show HN – Apptimize: A/B testing for native Android, iOS apps
#36Earlier quoted context omitted.
How does the anonymous gathering of statistics harm you? As an app developer, this data allows me to measurably improve my apps. I have several free (no ads either) apps in the Android market, and even in the most trivial of apps I will include Google Analytics to receive crash reports, see what screens are most popular (so I can improve my apps where it matters most), where the app is being used (for some reason one…
> As an app developer, this data allows me to measurably improve my apps. I don't give a flying f#ck about that, sorry. This is my device and I don't like my device connecting god knows where at a whim. As I said, if you were to tell your app users upfront that you will be tracking their usage, anonymous or not, and gave them an option to opt out, very few would not opt out. This is the exact same inherent need for p…
You may want to consider a flip phone but even that has a GPS for 911... A/B testing is the least of your problems. If you are that concerned about privacy get off the cell network, root your phone with AOSP or your own OS and most importantly do not install any apps that you have not built. At that point consider A/B testing as it could greatly improve your user experience ;-).
Joke aside I understand your concern but this is really not the right place to start.
Re: Show HN – Apptimize: A/B testing for native Android, iOS apps
#37Earlier quoted context omitted.
How does the anonymous gathering of statistics harm you? As an app developer, this data allows me to measurably improve my apps. I have several free (no ads either) apps in the Android market, and even in the most trivial of apps I will include Google Analytics to receive crash reports, see what screens are most popular (so I can improve my apps where it matters most), where the app is being used (for some reason one…
> As an app developer, this data allows me to measurably improve my apps. I don't give a flying f#ck about that, sorry. This is my device and I don't like my device connecting god knows where at a whim. As I said, if you were to tell your app users upfront that you will be tracking their usage, anonymous or not, and gave them an option to opt out, very few would not opt out. This is the exact same inherent need for p…
I think that frankly you are roundly wrong. Most users just don't care that they are anonymously being tracked or monitored. Most users what good, ease to use, reliable apps that do something interesting. If it phones home to google most people just don't care. The NSA scandal was mostly met with a loud "meh?" from most people. The media is pushing it as a story but really only techies give a shit about it. I'm not saying it's right but I'm pretty sure that's the general feeling about it with the general public. Anon analytics make better apps. It's a good thing for users all the way around. Better apps == a better user experience, that doesn't happen without better data.
Re: Show HN – Apptimize: A/B testing for native Android, iOS apps
#38Do people actually do A/B testing on iOS apps? I feel like the two-week development cycle really hinders your ability to conduct valuable A/B tests with your users in time to actually make any change.
Some of the more forward thinking folks (Socialcam and HauteLook for example) have rolled in house versions of these, but Apptimize is one of the first end to end solutions I've seen. But A/B testing in mobile is definitely something a lot of folks are thinking about.
Re: Show HN – Apptimize: A/B testing for native Android, iOS apps
#39Do people actually do A/B testing on iOS apps? I feel like the two-week development cycle really hinders your ability to conduct valuable A/B tests with your users in time to actually make any change.
We build in DB-driven tests into our app so we can make changes at will once we find a winner. Then we just clean up the code to remove the test in the next iteration.