Review: MockApp — iPhone App Prototyping for the Rest of Us
MockApp is a simple yet clever and quite efficient way to quickly create a mockup of an iPhone app using either Keynote on Macs or PowerPoint on PCs.
MockApp, which is free, consists of three files you download:
- Templates of iPhone screens
- An extensive library of just about every element you’ll likely need to communicate the idea for your app
- A sample of a complete, working mockup
You create your mockup by selecting items from the Elements file — it contains panes, headers, menus, buttons, icons, keyboards, messages and an iPhone Safari browser screen — and copying and pasting them onto the iPhone screen templates. Most of the elements have text you can edit.
You can also add any of your own artwork to the mockup and include it along with the elements you’ve used to give your creation the look and feel of a living, breathing iPhone app.
When you view your mockup in presentation mode your app comes to life — well, for the most part it does. As the developer Dotan Saguy acknowledges on his website, you can only define one transition per slide, which is fine if you’re moving through your prototype sequentially but not so good if you have various links that transition in different ways. This is a small limitation, however, compared to the speedy way MockApp lets you put an idea together with a minimum of fuss and then share it with others — co-workers, programmers, investors.
The beauty of MockApp is that it can be used by anyone. No programming or design skills are necessary (although a design sensibility would be useful). All you need is an idea, Keynote or Powerpoint, and MockApp and you’re on your way.
Comments
One Comment on Review: MockApp — iPhone App Prototyping for the Rest of Us
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App Zealot on
Sat, 26th Sep 2009 8:32 pm
MockApp delivers a simple, clean way to prototype the UI for an iPhone App. That’s a great way to clarify your thoughts and get the concept into other’s hands.
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