Tech/App Q&A - You ask, we (try) to answer
Since announcing the launch of our effort and the upcoming Zeal app, we are getting a LOT of questions. Some are general questions about how we’re designing the app to succeed, while others are technical questions about features you care about. We don’t have all the answers yet, but want to maintain a level of transparency so you feel connected to our effort. After all, you’re part of our zeal!
This week, we’re answering some of the top questions we’ve received from you regarding app development and technology. Let’s go!
Q: How will your app work and what makes it unique?
Zeal will offer LIVE group run classes with a real-time coach in your ear to educate and motivate you. Community is important! You'll be connected with fellow runners, walkers, and coaches via LIVE group chat. Imagine chatting with other "zebras" in the wild, no matter where you are in the world. Every zebra's stripes are unique just like every runner's stats. You'll see your run/walk metrics personalized to you.
Q: What are you doing to ensure your app is a reliable service? (i.e. can we trust you’re going to stick around long-term?)
Sustainability! That was the word that stood out as a guiding principle when developing Zeal. We knew that we had to manage costs in a very real and responsible way. All the technology that we’re using is affordable, relatable, and justifiable. Let’s consider each of these topics:
Affordable – We want to keep the cost of running the app as low as possible so we can keep YOU running! This means evaluating every piece of technology we use to ensure it is efficient and gets the job done with minimal platform costs.
Relatable - we took the good from what we learned from prior experiences and left the parts that didn't work. We kept what you loved but made it better!
Justifiable – Any solution we use must have a specific purpose that aligns with the features included in the first and future versions of the app.
Using this strategy, we feel that we are creating a platform that will not only serve the community and fill a gap in the live running space, but will be a foundation for more enhancements later.
Q: Will the app be available for Apple, Android, or both?
We’re developing the app to run on both the Android and iOS platforms using a single code base. This will allow us to develop new features across platforms simultaneously - no zebras left behind!
Q: What is this “Beta” you speak of?
Oh, the fun of technology jargon! Once the initial build of the app is finished and ready for action (woo hoo!) we will first do internal tests called “alpha” testing.
What will this look like? Your Zeal Team will set up a coach on the mic, a tech developer to observe performance, and a runner or two to get out there and go! Guess which one I will be? (Resting up now!) The results of our “alpha” testing will inform us of any technology tweaks we need to make. Once we get the all-clear, we move on to the second phase of testing, the infamous “beta” tests.
Beta testing is where our fabulous community joins in! We’ll call on our zeal of ready and willing zebras to come in and join us for live runs. This will likely start with a small number and grow over a few days/weeks. This strategy allows us to ensure that our data collection is stable and consistent with small and large numbers of live participants.
Q: BUT, WHEN?
We are so eager to run together that I wish I could say next week! The reality is that development is a lot of work and takes time. We prefer to take the time needed to put out a quality product than to rush and put out an unstable one. But, we have great momentum and are working hard to get Zeal ready for you!! We can’t say exactly when we will get to beta testing, but we will continue to update you along the way.
