TAMUMobile
Renovation of Texas A&M University's Mobile App
KLK Communications & Technologies
Current Problems With the TAMUMobile Application
Poor Bus Route Navigation
-Lauren Muska
Unreliable Maps
-Lauren Muska
The maps do not load, even with call phone signal and Wi-Fi
Screen shot taken by a user of the TAMUMobile maps
(Texas A&M University and Blackboard)
Problem with the Howdy Portal
-Lauren Muska
Proposed Solutions for the TAMUMobile Application
Updated Technology
Technology used in the TAMUMobile app is just outdated. With technology moving at the pace that it does, there is no excuse for such an important application to have last been updated, according to the iTunes App Store TAMUMobile page, one year ago, on December 9, 2014 (Texas). The TAMUMobile application almost never loads when you need it to, whether you're using wifi or a service provider. To make matters worse, the app is slow at best and turtle-speed at worst, with a crash after almost every click you make.
These issues could easily be fixed with a simple update to the TAMUMobile program. Baylor’s OsoMobile app, for example, runs quickly and easily. They have a great system in place and their application is useful for their student body (Baylor). I have experimented with this app for the purpose of research and know that it is very useful for its students. With just a few tweaks to the TAMUMobile app by KLK, the student body could be greatly benefitted. -Kirsten Morrison
Easy Access
Workable Menu Screen
Updated GPS Tracker
New Functions
When using the TAMUMobile application, tracking the bus you need can be a hard task (Texas A&M). To resolve this issue, we should update the application to include a more active GPS tracker for the Aggie Spirit that tracks in real time, as opposed to the laggy updates the students experience currently. Howdy is another side of the functions of the application that can be improved. When a student tries to access Howdy, the application crashes. USA Today rates us as one of the colleges with the best mobile apps, but many students disagree with this outlook, and isn’t our reputation important to us as Aggies (Lynch)? To fix the problems with Howdy would be as simple as updating the software that the application utilizes, which would be beneficial for students as a whole. Howdy is a crucial feature for Texas A&M students, so an upgrade to this part of the application is heavily needed. -Kirsten Morrison
Improved User Experience
Proposed Cost for Renovations of TAMUMobile
Your Money Put to Good Use
In addition, licensing fees are already being paid for! Apple requires $99 a month for apps which is no new cost considering the app is already created.
One more cost will be towards boosting the wifi. The Houston Chronicle released an article titled "What component is used to boost wifi signal strength" by Scott Cornell in which he discusses that the simple action of adding an antenna can boost the strength and only costs about $100 per antenna (Cornell). This cost was afforded for the rebuild of Kyle Field with success and the same idea can be applied for the mobile app.
For $200,000 we will boost the wifi for stronger connections, pay for licensing fees and work hard at enhancing this app.
-Kristin DeFelice
Visualize TAMUMobile's Upgrades
How Will This Benefit Texas A&M?
-Kristin DeFelice
Howdy and eCampus
As the Board of Regents, you will see a change in the campus. The students will be less flustered by disorganization and be on time to class more often which in turn improves grades. Students will be proud to state their campus truly cares about them because you will have heard their cry for an improved app and complied. Potential students will hear about this, and as a growing campus, you will be happy to receive their tuition money.
-Kristin DeFelice
Transportation
Imagine an app that shows the exact route to take whether walking or bussing. The app will list where each building on campus is and how to get there from your current location. The bus routes will be easily distinguished from one another and tell you exactly which bus to get onto in order to reach your destination.
-Kristin DeFelice
KLK
Email: KLK@gmail.com
Website: KLK.com
Phone: (866)555-123
Facebook: facebook.com/KLK
Twitter: @KLK
Works Cited
Baylor University. OsoMobile. iTunes App Store. Vers. 3.7. Apple Inc., n.d. Web. 19 Nov. 2015.
Cornell, Scott. "What Component Is Used to Boost Wi-Fi Signal Strength?" Houston Chronicle. Web. 28 Nov. 2015.
Lynch, Loreal. "5 Colleges with Great Mobile Apps." USA TODAY College. USA TODAY, 15
Aug. 2012. Web. 19 Nov. 2015.
Miller, Anna Grace. Personal Interview. 22 November 2015
Porges, Seth. "8 Things You Should Know before Building a Mobile App - CNN.com." CNN. Cable News Network, 3 Feb. 2012. Web. 19 Nov. 2015.
Texas A&M University. TAMUMobile. Computer software. ITunes App Store. Vers. 4.1. Texas
A&M University, 9 June 2009. Web. 30 Nov. 2015.
"Redevelopment of Kyle Field." Frequently Asked Questions. 12th Man Foundation, 2013. Web. 30 Nov. 2015.
" University Benefits." Mobile App Benefits: Universities « TapWalk. Web. 23 Nov. 2015.