V.3 App Released

Changing the Wave Height Adjustment slider allows you total control of your own forecast© 2011 - magicseaweed

OUR Magicseaweed App V.3 is we hope a paradigm shift in surf forecasting. It's been out a few weeks and seems to be getting the thumbs-up, averaging 4.5 out of 5 stars from more than 200 reviews of the update. Thanks for the vote of confidence.

We say update but it is more than that, this app was a total rebuild and new way of looking at forecasting, one that allows you to feedback and personalise your forecast. For the first time on any surf forecasting app or website you can adjust the surf forecast based upon your own observations. We appreciate that every break is unique, no two beaches work in exactly the same manner. This new app includes our estimates, (based on decades of data for thousands of spots) but critically using “Wave Height Settings” you can instantly adjust our algorithm using your knowledge to tweak the forecast for those little local factors that can make so much difference.

We’ve been testing it for months and the results are extraordinary, with little work you can get your regular surf breaks absolutely dialled and make our forecast more accurate than it could ever be without your help. Looking into the future, crowd-sourcing this information will allow us to create a breaking wave (peak-to-trough) forecast of unparalleled accuracy.

Whilst the above aspect of V.3 is the one we’re most proud of it, the app contains a host of other features. In our opinion it’s the world’s most comprehensive surf forecast app.

Long range surf forecasts for over 2,500 beaches across the globe. Our forecast includes the MSW star rating, swell height, swell period, swell direction, wind strength, wind direction and temperature. MSW Mobile Pro (paid upgrade) users will get additional attributes; wind gust speed, atmospheric pressure, forecast accuracy % and benefit from an additional 3 days (extending the forecast to a full 10 days).

(If you have any questions about the app add them into the comment box and we'll answer them to the best of our ability.)

Forecast pages will automatically pull in your closest eyeball reports. Clicking through will bring you to your standard surf report.

Full features
- 7 day forecast.
- Forecast gives you surf/wave height (not just the swell).
- You can configure the surf height forecast for every spot.
- Stormrider Guide integration (online only).
- Live spot-by-spot conditions.
- Swell, wind, period and pressure charts.
- 7 Day tide curves.
- Live wave buoy data.
- Live wind station data.
- Live surf reports from our network of trusted reporters.
- MSW editorial features.
- Photo of the day.
- Favourite spots.
- Surf specific photo gallery.
- Surf spot/beach local business directory.
- Roaming mode.


MSW Mobile Pro Users (in-app subscription)
- 10 day forecast.
- 10 day tide curves.
- Forecast probability.
- Multi-swell.
- Wind gusts.
- Wind chill.


MSW Mobile Pro and Stormrider Subscription

Payment for MSW Mobile Pro or Stormrider entitles you to MSW Mobile Pro usage and its features. MSW Mobile Pro and Stormrider are separate subscriptions. Pro allows you access to enhanced forecasting options whilst the Stormrider upgrade allows you to access travel and detailed local information.

Behind the scenes of developing the app

Like anyone we make mistakes and V.2 contained a couple. We’re passionate about delivering the best product out there and after releasing the old app we knew quickly that it didn’t represent our best work. This doesn’t mean it wasn’t a progression, it just meant we knew we could do better. Much better.

Feedback for the old version was collated from both iTunes reviews, Facebook and contacting our Pro users directly. Two major concerns over the previous version was speed and user interface simplicity (ease of use).

Users using iOS devices wanted it to look like an iOS app and Android users wanted it to look like an Android app. Neither wanted a user interface which worked for both, which was the aim of the old apps user interface - cross-platform.

The new version uses a hybrid technology, which required us to completely throw the old app out and start again -- which is why the update took so long. We had great support from our users who purchased Pro enabling us to pour more development time into the update.

Before we get started making the app, we design and layout all the views, normally with good old pen and paper just sketching out the position of elements and flow between views. The new version needed to be so simple that users just knew how to use it intuitively.

The way to achieve this on iOS is to follow the standard set out by Apple’s own apps. For example managing favourites on our app is identical to managing favourites on the phone app, edit top left, add top right and add slides up a new window.

Just as on the normal site you have access to all the charts, photos and features.© 2011 - magicseaweed

Additional info and platforms

Testing
We used the new version for months internally. Once we got to a stage where most of the functionality was finished we released the app to our friends and family for wider testing.

Next up we invited our fans on Facebook to get involved and help us test the app further. These users provided much needed real feedback. Once we and our testers were happy with the app we sent it off to Apple. Once Apple get the app they run it through their own QA process.

Android
The new version uses a completely native UI, on iOS it looks like an iOS app. The downside to this is the Android app will take slightly longer to develop and be released. iOS is our primary market, after we have collated feedback on the new iOS app, we’ll look to fixing any glaring problems. Then we’ll get to work on an update for Android.

Blackberry
The platform we’ve used will allow us to make a Blackberry version in the future, but Android will be first.

Nokia
We’ve been working to develop a Nokia app and can announce that it’s now available on the ovi store for modern Nokia phones.

Windows Mobile 7
WP7 still has tiny market share by comparison to the other platforms and at the moment doesn’t warrant it’s own native app. This may change in the future.

Every other mobile phone
Our wap website is still up and running which works on nearly every mobile phone out there http://wap.magicseaweed.com/.

If you have any questions about the app add them into the comment box and we'll answer them to the best of our ability. Ultimately we're just a bunch of surfers and it's the app we want to use. Get it here.

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