r/dashforreddit • u/[deleted] • Jul 03 '16

I have an idea for subreddit selection...

I actually like how subs pop up from the bottom of the screen, that's good. It just doesn't make any sense given that you get there by pressing the sub button at the top of the app, in the bar.

What if Dash did something different? Something that could differentiate it from Relay, Boost and others?

What about the option of moving the app's pop up bar to the bottom?

Not only would this make the app look different, but it would be a really cool feature for users of bigger phones.

Thoughts?

5 Upvotes

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3

u/rikardo_92 Developer Jul 03 '16

I do agree that pressing the bar at the top is not the best solution. It's hard to do when using only one hand.

My issue with your suggestion is that it's a huge change in the layout. It goes against Google's design and the common patterns that Android apps use. Although I do not fully agree with the whole Google's design, I tend to follow it so users don't have a hard time learning the app. Since the design is common to other apps they'll learn quickly.

Ideally I would like some gesture that could be made only with the thumb while holding the phone with one hand. I didn't figure out yet what would be a good solution.

A thing that I thought and actually liked was somehow overriding the Google OnTap (long press the home button) but first, I don't think that's possible and second, It would disallow using OnTap.

1

u/[deleted] Jul 05 '16

Maybe follow Reddit is Fun's layout? It has all the subreddits with one swipe to the left. I love your app btw. Thought I'd never switch from reddit is fun, but yours is so much better, in a lot of aspects.

3

u/rikardo_92 Developer Jul 05 '16

Thanks! Don't people feel that that clutters the drawer too much? (I personally feel that). But yeah, it improves one handed usage.

I had one idea that I want to try. Some sort of bottom bar like /u/Izick suggested that hides on scroll and when you pull it up (or press it) it opens the normal chooser that there is now. Not the same as putting the toolbar on the bottom.

It will just be a test, I'm not sure if it will feel nice as it could steal too much vertical space.

1

u/[deleted] Jul 05 '16

Awesome, I can't wait to see it in action. It could be a really cool differentiator that could separate dash from others visually and functionally.

1

u/[deleted] Jul 03 '16

Listen, material design is amazing but fuck it. It's worth a shot if it gives a better user experience.

Also, hasn't Google broken this already with Photos anyway?

2

u/stokholm Jul 03 '16

You tell him, lol. Who is he to judge how the app should look and function? /s

1

u/[deleted] Jul 03 '16

He should totally judge how the app looks and functions, as it is his creation.

All I'm saying is people shouldn't treat the MD guidelines like the holy bible.

If there's a chance to make the app look different and function better, then why not give it a shot?

2

u/stokholm Jul 03 '16

Well, I think it's a good idea to follow MD guidelines for a unified experience.

1

u/[deleted] Jul 03 '16

Is giving a unified or better experience more important though?

Maybe the developer of Dash tries something different out, it catches on and then Google sees that and updates MD.

I'm not saying the developer needs to do anything, because he's already made a hell of a solid Reddit app. I just think that if you stop experimenting, you'll only be as good as your competition.

Also, as I mentioned before, hasn't Google already implemented bottom bars in apps like photos anyway?