Re: App Gallery Updates - Page 2

peterdykstra · 03-04-2021 10:50 PM

The AppSheet ‘App Gallery’ is where users can access apps available to them for use, as well as the apps they have created. It is available via the menu of most AppSheet apps, and is the default application when opening the Android or iOS AppSheet app.

An updated version of the App Gallery will start rolling out on Monday, March 8 - @macastan and I would like to hear if you have any initial thoughts. Do you use the current App Gallery? Are these updates going to be helpful for your app users?

No changes are being made to the menu of any apps you’ve created - the ‘App Gallery’ link that exists today in most apps is remaining the same.

Preview of the updated App Gallery

The app has been updated to include the following views, which are intended to help app users and creators access the apps they need in as few steps as possible. A notable update is the inclusion of the ‘Recent’ view, which helps order apps by most recently used.

What’s visible to users if they open the App Gallery:
‘Recent’ (Default View)

Apps I’ve used recently
Sorted by last used

‘Shared with me’

Apps created by someone else, but shared with me
Sorted by app name

’Created by me’

Apps I’ve created
Sorted by app name

Ratatosk

I do exactly the same trick!

retailpartnerco

This is also a pain for my app users as well. I understand how to use the app gallery just fine, but my app users are from an older generation that can’t easily navigate technology without help/instructions, so they get confused whenever they land in the app gallery. I wish we could hide the app gallery for certain apps, i’m not sure if this is reasonable, it might not be, but thanks anyway.

Koichi_Tsuji

Just turn on white label app setting, then App Gallery will be hidden from that app.

Kirk_Masden

Before I found this thread I posted about an issue I noticed with the new App Gallery configuration. I see now that I should have posted here so I’m posting more-or-less the same content once again:

The gif above shows some changes that have been made to what used to be the App Gallery. I’ve added some numbers to the video to make it easier to point out what I noticed:

The spot that used to be “App Gallery” is now “AppSheet”
“Recent” shows the apps one has used (or is it “edited”?) most recently. This is very nice to have.
When I navigate back to the new location of the “App Gallery,” I’m shown the “Recent contents” contents
From the “App Gallery,” I have to tap twice to get back to the side menu.
“Created by me” has apps in old-to-new order. When I navigate back to “App Gallery,” I’m now shown the “Created by me” contents.

So, it seems that “App Gallery” doesn’t have independent content. Is that right?

Thanks!

P.S. When I looked at my app on a students phone today (students copy my prototype app and use it for free), there was NOTHING in the “App Gallery.” We had to navigate to “Created by me.” However, copied apps are also in “Created by me.” Wouldn’t “My apps” be better – just like the editing interface?

peterdykstra

Hi Kirk, thanks for sharing! Since many AppSheet app users are also familiar with Workspace app navigation themes, some of these updates are designed to more closely resemble Workspace apps.

There is still a discrepancy in when the menu option displays ‘App gallery’ vs ‘AppSheet’ - looking into this.
‘Recent’ should show you the last apps you’ve opened, including those opened in the editor. (Priority is making it easier for app users to quickly access the apps they use most frequently)
The back navigation is also being investigated, upcoming nav improvements may help address this.
‘Created by me’ should display in alphabetical order - is that not the case?

Correct, the App Gallery should only show content you’ve created or has been shared with you (no more sample apps).

Kirk_Masden

Thanks @Peter ! I appreciate the quick response. I think you answered all of my questions except one: In my gif, the “App Gallery” only repeats what came before it, either “Recent” or “Created by me.” So, it seems to me that “App Gallery” doesn’t have it’s own unique meaning or content. Is that right?

In regard to your question, yes, I think that “Created by me” is alphabetical order. That’s fine. Sometime, however, we copy sample apps. For my students, the just use a sample app I made. So, I would think that “My apps” (the same as what we have in the editor) makes more sense than “Created by me.” Using the phrase “My apps” would have the advantage of being consistent with the editor as well.

Thanks again!

peterdykstra

Got it, correct the ‘App Gallery’ vs ‘AppSheet’ naming differences you’re observing is accidental, we need to fix that. Only one app hosting apps that you’ve either created or have had shared with you.

We debated the ‘My Apps’ vs ‘Created by me’ and settled with the latter because it’s familiar to some sorting/filtering options seen elsewhere in Workspace - but if it’s confusing for your users or you get any other feedback about usability, please let me know. Keeping a close eye on usage and want to make sure it keeps getting easier for users to quickly access their most important apps. Thanks Kirk!

Kirk_Masden

I appreciate your response and what you wrote makes sense to me. For me, the “Created by me” vs. “My apps” issue is a minor one and I doubt my users will be concerned about it. What I’m more puzzled by is what you see in the following image. My app displays “App Gallery” where yours does not. Moreover, as I tried to show with my gif, “App Gallery” only shows what came before. In other words, if you look at “Recent,” then “App Gallery” will show “Recent.” If you look at “Created by me,” then “App Gallery” will show “Created by me” content. And, if you are a new user and tap of “App Gallery” for the first time, it will be empty, even if you already have an app or two. This is the point is was trying to make.

Kirk_Masden

Hi again, @Peter ! I’m sure you must be busy but I hope you’ll be able to respond to my earlier post eventually:

And while we are on the topic of the “App Gallery,” what about the capitalization? Shouldn’t it be brought in line with Google’s material design standards?

Kirk_Masden

I see that this issue has been resolved. Thanks, @Peter ! I think this makes App Gallery significantly easier to use than before.

Kirk_Masden

I inadvertently posted this update on how App Gallery is funky in the wrong thread:

Kirk_Masden

One more point about how App Gallery is funky: I’ve noticed that sometimes App Gallery takes us to “Shared with me” though it usually takes us to “Recent” (which I think is best). Here’s an example. I logged out of one account:

Then, after logging in with another account, I’m taken to this:

(Sorry for all of the white space but “Shared with me” is empty so this is what I see.)

“Recent” would make much more sense.

peterdykstra

Thanks for pointing this out, Kirk - think it’s related to unexpected behavior from the ‘initial view’ settings in this app. Will investigate.

Steve

What is “Workspace”, and how would I get familiar with it?

peterdykstra

(new branding for G Suite https://workspace.google.com/)

Fabian_Weller

This is solving also a Localize request I had Thank you!

Kirk_Masden

NOTE: Since posting this I’ve closed AppSheet in my iPhone and reopened it. Now, both AppSheet and iOS say “AppGallery.”

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I’m testing my app on an iPhone and an Android device and, strangely, the iPhone says “AppSheet” and the Android phone says “App Gallery.” I wonder what the cause is?

By the way, in the Android device, when I click on “App Gallery” it displays the same page with the heading “AppSheet” as the iPhone. So, I’m guessing that this is just a simple oversight? Perhaps the meaningless presence of of the “App Gallery” in the “AppSheet” menu that I describe in my previous post is just an oversight too.

Mauricio_Bick

App gallery and Search should be two separate options. So annoying!

pro100bear

Is it possible to see the apps that are shared through Google Groups? Users can open the apps via the links, but on smartphones it is incredibly difficult.

Kirk_Masden

I think the thrust of your question might be related to this proposal I made a while back:

Improved integration between user- and AppSheet-generated templates
https://www.googlecloudcommunity.com/gc/Feature-Ideas/Improved-integration-between-user-and-AppSheet...

In regard to smartphones verses desktop computers, yes, this is a problem too. It's possible to only use a smartphone but as you indicate, it's not easy.