What Would You Like a WordCamp Mobile App to Do?

A WordCamp mobile app may soon be a reality. WordPress was accepted as a mentoring organization for Google Summer of Code 2014. As part of that process, the community prepared a list of ideas for GSoC projects that students can work on. The creation of a WordCamp mobile app was among those ideas.

The application would be intended for use by attendees who can download it to have the event schedule and details at their fingertips. Jen Mylo posted today on the Make WordPress Community blog, seeking input on features, as a handful of students have already demonstrated interest in the project. “Without going too crazy, and remembering this is a summer job for one college student, what would make sense to include?” she asked.

Mylo offered a few preliminary ideas:

All the info that’s on the WC site in standardized format (location/map, schedule, etc)

Ability to rate sessions/speakers

Follow Twitter mentions and official hashtag in one stream and/or full tagregator stream

Push notifications (opt-in) based on organizer posts to [blog? a cpt? something else?] to notify of day-of time-sensitive things like lunch being served, closing remarks starting, lost laptop, etc.

Take the follow up survey once event is over

Check in/out of event?

Form to contact on-site organizers (emergency, safety, code of conduct, lost and found, etc)

Dustin Filippini commented on the post to suggest additional ideas for features, including comprehensive location information for the venue, any after parties, suggested hotels, parking, restaurants, etc.

Many WordCampers, having made a great effort to travel to an event, are eager to get the most out of it. Missing an announcement about an after party or other related gatherings would a pity. Even a basic Wordcamp app will go a long way to help Wordcampers and organizers stay connected.

What do you think about the idea of WordCamp mobile app? Would you use it? If you have ideas for features to be included, make sure to comment on Jen Mylo’s post to join in the conversation.