Launch of the official re:publica Vienna app
Just in time for the first re:publica in Vienna we are releasing the official programme app. Fast, simple, no sign-up and no data collection.
On 2 and 3 October re:publica takes place in Vienna for the first time. Anyone who wants to find their way through the programme now has it in their pocket: the app for iOS and Android is out. We built it for the re:publica team with three priorities: good usability, a simple, elegant design close to the web design, and stability when a thousand people check at the same time what is up next.
The whole programme, three views
The heart of the app is the programme. Talks, workshops and panels can be viewed as a list, as a calendar or as a timeline across all stages. The timeline can be flipped: stages as rows, time running sideways. One tap on the heart and the session lands in your favourites. That is how your own plan for two days comes together along the way.
Search, read, miss nothing
Search responds instantly, even with several hundred programme items. All speakers have profiles with their sessions. re:publica partners are included with their programme items, the newscenter pulls the event's news feeds via RSS, and push notifications bring room changes or last-minute updates straight to your phone. If you miss a push notification, you can still find it later in the notifications section of the app.
Fewer barriers
The font size can be adjusted inside the app, independent of the system settings. There is also a dark theme for evenings in the hall and for everyone who simply finds it more comfortable. Both are deliberately easy to reach and not hidden in submenus.
No sign-up, no data
The app works without registration and without an account. Favourites stay on the device. There is no tracking and no analytics service. What happens on your phone stays on your phone.
Under the hood
The app is built with React. To stay reliable with poor reception and under load, it relies on a synchronisation and caching system based on Cloudflare: the programme is stored completely on the device, changes are synced in the background, and the servers only pass on what has actually changed. The programme data comes from our Event Curation System (ECS), where the re:publica team collects submissions, curates them and maintains the schedule. If a room is swapped there, it shows up in the app shortly after.
re:publica Vienna app
Free for iOS and Android.
Planning an event and need an app that just works? Tell us about it.