Washem
Helps kids (and adults) to properly wash their hands
Who needs an app to wash their hands, right? Well, If you've seen the instructions as provided by the World Health Organisation (WHO) you'll know that decontaminating hands properly takes a little more effort than the 5-second hand splashes most people see as "washing their hands".
Washem is a simple and easy app that helps kids (and adults) to follow along with the animations and instructions and learn all the proper steps to clean their hands properly.
Check out the release at Product Hunt: https://www.producthunt.com/posts/washem
Keep 'em clean, keep safe 👏🏻🙌🏻
Finally, my app has been approved on the Google Play Store.
While I'm still reaching out to my network (including previous Apple employees) for iOS, I'm glad that the Android version has become available.
I had to send in an update because some devices had an issue that caused them to not see all the washing steps 🙈.
But as soon as that issue will be resolved, I can launch Washem on Product Hunt while also reaching out to parties all over the world to get attention to this free app that helps people to wash their hands better and safer 🙌🏻
Also updated www.washem.app.
After working on the iOS version and submitting it under 27 hours, and getting rejected I shifted my focus on the Android platform.
Since my solution is created with Xamarin (and .Forms), I had the app up-and-running within 2 hours.
After some testing I made a couple of small improvements and created all the necessary visuals for the Google Play Store.
I submitted this version 1.0 to the Google Play Store and put my trust in the validation process of Google.
When they accept the app I can launch the simple but clean landing page that I'm working on with Carrd.Co (check them out at https://try.carrd.co/wxz9dy59. ps: that's a referral code, but check them out they're awesome for quick landing pages!)
Because Apple rejected the iOS submission of Washem (see the previous update of the 20th of April), I started to focus on the Android version of Washem. Fortunately, my goal was always to get both an iOS and Android version out.
Since I'm using Xamarin Cross-Platform under the hood, getting the android build up-and-running was quite easy.
Working on setting up an Android account and publishing the Android version asap.
I'm not knocked out of the field just jet...
Apple relates handwashing to the COVID19 situation and I'm not a formal instance (like an university, WHO, etc..). So they won't allow me to publish it in the AppStore as it is medically related.
I find it good that they're sceptical, but as collateral damage, my good and working (my kids love it and learned to wash their hands properly) solution won't be distributed via the AppStore.
PLEASE REACH OUT IF YOU KNOW ANY CONTACT at the World Health Organisation that might help to publish it via their account 🙌🏻
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Hey Edwin, why does this have to be an app and not a website?
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Hey Pri, Good question. Thanks for asking 🙌🏻
There are a couple of reasons:
The animations are over 50Mb's. I use the app form-factor to prevent people from getting data pikes in their mobile subscriptions when they use it frequently.
The second reason is: findability/visibility in the App stores is higher, especially in the beginning.
The third reason is that I'm thinking of future features where a push notification would come in handy, or where I can trigger a reminder when you get home again (without sending that location to a server) and wanted to implement that smart using geofencing.
These are things that need it to be an app to make that work properly.
Rest asure, I'm still going forward with this, one format or another ☺️
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The app was finally submitted to the Apple AppStore after some struggling with the code signing, and getting all the screenshots and information aligned conform the regulations.
My kids are already using the app to wash their hands and it is awesome to see how a simple idea helps them to get their hands clean during these Covid19 days.
I hope Apple approves the app anytime now, so more kids and adults can keep their hands clean and safe 🙌🏻
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Congrats! Good luck with approval :)
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Thanks ! 🤞🏻
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Congrats @EeKay! I specialize in helping apps grow, let me know if there is something you need help with :)
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Thanks @halaska! Appreciate it
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[UPDATE]: Apple rejected the app. Since they find handwashing is related to the COVID19 situation and I'm not a formal instance (like a university, the World Health Organisation, etc..) they won't allow me to publish it in the AppStore. PLEASE REACH OUT IF YOU KNOW ANY CONTACT at the World Health Organisation that might help to publish it via their account 🙌🏻
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I’m sorry to hear that. It must be incredibly frustrating. Maybe you should try re-implementing the idea as a web app?
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Ah, I know the struggle of submitting the app. And then you get this "gimme your screenshots", and you have to go back and create some, happy to continue, yet to see "ok, now tell me about your privacy policy" 😂
good job
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For sure, I've been a (cross-platform) mobile developer for 6+ years, and the struggle has always remained.
Thanks for the comment 🙌🏻
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After working some early mornings, and evenings and two afternoons, I got the app logic working for Washem.
As I want to ship the MVP as soon as possible, I begin working on the content, visuals, and AppStore necessities.
I re-enabled my Apple Developer account (since 6 years or so).
I discussed the idea with my family, as I wanted my kids to wash their hands better.
Using Draw.io I specified the screenflow diagram and made notes on the setup of the project.
I started to look for an Icon and registered the domain www.washem.app
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