iOS App of the Day: Schemer
If you are the type of person who enjoys being active both online and in your everyday life, then you’ve probably already downloaded apps like Google+, Pinterest, or Foursquare for your smartphone. While these apps are great for different types of social networking, the Schemer app by Google tries to bundle the best of these services into one mobile experience. With Schemer you are tightly integrated with your Google+ account and the circles you have already created there. Schemer compiles all of the things that you have ever wanted to do so you can save them, check them off as you accomplish them, and inspire other people. Think of Schemer like having your personal ‘bucket-list’ wherever you go.
Pros:
- Tightly integrated with your Google+ account
- Find interesting activities to do in your area
- Look up new activities
- See what your friends have collected as schemes
- Check off schemes as you achieve them
- Desktop support with schemer.com
- 15 different activity categories to choose from
- Fun and unique interface
- Get inspired by friends and experts
Cons:
- You need to have an active Google+ account to find your friends on Schemer
- App forces close frequently
How it works:
You will need a Google+ account to log into Schemer, which means you won’t have to start all over to find your friends. After signing in with your Google+ email address, Schemer automatically syncs with your Google+ circles to create an activity feed of what your accomplices have been scheming on. The app will then ask for your current location so you can view suggested schemes locally or search by schemes close to your location.
The home screen is easy to use and has a fresh clean look to it. Here you can add a scheme or get ideas from your friends or experts. You can also use the search field to look up schemes based on location. For example, while I was at Disney World I typed in “Disney” into the search field and thousands of schemes popped up instantly. Looking up schemes by keywords is a great way to see what other people have already done in the same area. If you want to add anything to your own list simply tap once or tap twice to mark it as a completed scheme.
The app has three additional tabs which include find “find stuff to do”, “your schemes”, and “accomplice”s. The “find stuff to do” tab allows you to either search for schemes to do at your house or in your neighborhood. This is fun for the times that you are truly bored and need inspiration on what to do next. Tapping on “Staying Home” pulls up schemes like “reading Steve Jobs Biography” or “Trying to grind my own coffee”. Tapping on “Your Neighborhood” you will see schemes like “Eat at Macaroni Grill” or “Visit the Boca Museum of Art”.
“Your schemes” allows you to see a feed of everything you have added to your scheme list. You can manually add a scheme, add schemes from people or friends who inspire you, or you can delete schemes from your list.
“Accomplices” is divided into two sections and based from your Google+ network. Here you can see schemers in your circles and schemers who have you in their circles. You can also recruit more accomplices by sending them an invite through Google+
Conclusion:
As it stands today the Schemer app for iOS is simplistic in its feature list with very basic functions when it comes to adding schemes to your profile. However, the app does provide the expected Google flair with an easy to use interface and its happy-feeling artwork design. I love the concept behind Schemer and see it as a fun companion app for anyone who actively uses their Google+ account. I have always been a fan of to-do lists and have a few bucket-lists lying around making Schemer an interesting platform to use instead of the traditional paper and pen method. Schemer successfully aims at motivating you to start actively looking for interesting and fun things to do in or out of the house. I love seeing my accomplished list grow and can’t wait to see what else Google has planned for Schemer in the near future.
Schemer is available for free in the iTunes Store. Requirements: Compatible with iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad.Requires iOS 4.2 or later. iTunes Link
This is part of our iOS App of the Day series. We take our favorite app for iOS for each day and post it here for you to check out. Feel free to check out all of our App of the Day posts here.
