While the basic function of the Containd app was not changed, we now added all the features we imagined for this app to become a generalist Manager of Lists with as many possible applications as there are lists.
But let’s list the updates from the start. The start of any new user who wondered what this app does and downloaded it. At the moment, everyone who did that, uninstalled is soon after or simply abandoned it. So there was no way around improved onboarding.
We start with some app demo videos in the App stores. They may not be as professionally polished as I wish, but they should help prepare potential users on what to expect.
Then in the app you are not left hanging any more. You are on the contrary thrown into it immediately with a preloaded list that invites you to explore and shows a lot of how the app is supposed to work already.
At the same time the Help Assistant opens and greets you allowing you to tap yourself through a prepared tree of information about what the app is for and what it can do.
Alternatively, you can switch the predefined assistant to AI mode and chat with a dedicated chatbot that knows a bit of what the app is for and how to use it and can guide you to the right places if needed. Beware of hallucinations though…
And lastly, from the homepage, from the starting screen and from the Assistant predefined and AI, you may be invited to start a guided tour on how the app works. This covers a few basic topics for now, by far not every feature yet.
“Templates” Are the largest part of the update where the vision is that the different templates you can install, bring additiopnal and specific features to Lists and List-Items.
A template is just a “json” file which you can either add manually to you list of templates in the settings → item customization or simply install or update through the apps online browser. Alternatively you can browse our template catalog size on the web at catalog.containd.app
While each item remains exactly one entry in the item database on your device, the template defines how it is presented and what additional functionalities it has. As example, you can create a list item as part of the “Simple TODO” template using the checkbox item format from that template. Which lets you edit its text and check its checkbox directly on the canvas and has the functionality of adding the date of when the box was checked.
The templates can be adjusted by everyone who wants to. Either by directly editing the respective json file or by using the template editor with the respective template project file. The file is availeable at the catalog website. The editor is availeable at templates.containd.app. It may not be intuitive to use though. There is some documentation, but if your interested just reach out directly.
Regarding the sharing of your lists, there is a whole new feature implemented besides cloud sync. Its so new, its not even monetized yet: The list publishing feature.
You can publish any list or sub-list as a “space” to containd.space. That means, the whole thing is “frozen” and exported either directly to containd.space or you can export it as a zip file and upload it there seperatedly. That website is fully seperate to the Containd app but uses the same Containd account.
Anything published there can be accessed through a browser looking like your actual list. It is not automatically syncronized. You publish and can share the link immediately. You can decide if you want the list added to the public spaces that anyone can discover through the containd.space frontpage or not.
With the “Web-Kit Template” you can even build fully useable canvas based homepages with multiple pages including youtube videos embedded.
You can then continue to make your containd.space profile public deciding for each list if its to be included or not. Lists are linked to such profiles. The customizable physics play-area can also be switched off... For now, just my own profile to find. With a lot of lists added as examples for the templates.
And you can share with the tap of a button. Or even by embedding a fully interactive containd space directly in your own page:
The Cloud Sync feature was also significantly overhauled. No one was using it yet so there was no issue in changing it significantly - it still woks the same way as before though. Use-metering is charged in “Credits” (in-app currency) and will still be adjusted in the future if its actually used.
The new feature regarding cloud sync that you may be interest in is now live sync. Which tries to pick up your changes immediately and upload them and also tries to pick up changes applied to the cloud from elsewhere immediately and apply them. Thus giving you the possibility to collaborate in realtime on your list with others through sharing or with your own devices.
Thus giving you a hierarchic cross platform digital whiteboard to work with on your own or with others.
And then there is a few smaller changes that were added along the way because I needed them:
Items now have drop-shadows. Newly added default item will have them by default, but you can switch them off or change their appearance if needed.
Documents can now be attached additionally to, and separately from, images. So if you want to attach a pdf invoice to the inventory item of your TV, you can.
Achievements: I just like the concept. They can guide you to features you did not use and show your dedication to organize yourself with this app. Each achievement gives you points. And the points can be used to gain classes. What can I say, I grew up with RPGs… What you may find usefull:
You can track your own daily and or weekly strekas in using the app.
You can see which functions of the app you have not tried yet.
You can place them on your containd.space profile including the class, if you want.
You can also completely ignore them. Thats always an option.
So. This is the 0.14 release. The leading 0 signifies that I can not consider this a fully released app yet, simply because there is no feedback of users other then myself yet. There will be bugs. Please let me know and give feedback in general.
All feedback is welcome.
