iOS version of the Commons app - market share

[OpenGreenStreet]

What is the user problem or growth opportunity you want to see solved?

From my point of view, it would be good if there were an iOS version of the Commons app in the future, as one third of all smartphones (in Germany) are iOS smartphones.

How do you know that this problem exists today? Why is this important?

This means that around 30 percent of all potential users of the commons app have no chance of using it.

Who will benefit from it?

All users who own an iOS smartphone.

Anything else you would like to add?

https://de.statista.com/statistik/daten/studie/256790/umfrage/marktanteile-von-android-und-ios-am-smartphone-absatz-in-deutschland/

[RitikaPahwa4444]

The app is now maintained by volunteers, so it might be hard to achieve. There used to be an active discussion about this when we used to receive grants: #5060. We've seen that folks are interested in migrating the app to Jetpack Compose, so using Compose Multiplatform might be possible if we're able to gain enough support🙂

[misaochan]

Hi @OpenGreenStreet , we have always wanted to expand to iOS, however historically WMF Product has disagreed with it. That was a long time ago, however (around 3 years ago if I recall correctly), so it might be worth reopening the discussion again if folks are interested. If WMF does not wish to host the iOS app on their account, we can still self-publish (if a volunteer is willing to do the work), but user acquisition will be difficult without the Foundation account.

[OpenGreenStreet]

@misaochan , @RitikaPahwa4444 , Thank you for your feedback. I had already thought of something like that and I can also imagine how difficult it would be in terms of content and resources. I just wanted to raise the issue again.

I have no idea, but would there perhaps be a way to get funding from the Wikimedia Foundation or Wikimedia Deutschland for such a project?

[misaochan]

I have no idea, but would there perhaps be a way to get funding from the Wikimedia Foundation or Wikimedia Deutschland for such a project?

@OpenGreenStreet Previously, we were supported by WMF grants. I took a peek at those recently, and it seems like the General Support grant does not take software projects anymore. There was supposed to be a WMF Technology Fund for software projects, but it never got off the ground and is now considered "permanently placed on hold". To be fair, I haven't talked to the program officers involved to see if there is any way around this, but just based on the official documentation, it seems like WMF is out.

Re: WM Deutschland, that is an interesting suggestion. I don't think we have collaborated with WMD before, would you have any suggestions on how to start if we were to go about that? :)

Of course, all of this depends on the other maintainers' opinions as well.

[OpenGreenStreet]

@misaochan , Thanks, I'll see if I can find a contact person.

[misaochan]

@OpenGreenStreet Fantastic, thank you! :) If you'd like, please feel free to CC me in your email to them. Personally, I've always been keen on making an iOS app happen.

[OpenGreenStreet]

@misaochan , what I have been able to achieve so far is an interesting collection of links documenting past efforts in this matter:

• https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Community_Wishlist_Survey_2021/Archive/Create_Commons_iOS_app

• https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Community_Wishlist/Wishes/IOS_Commons_App

• https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Grants:Project/Commons_app/Commons_app_Android_v4

• https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Grants:Start/de

[OpenGreenStreet]

@misaochan , hi, i have written to Wikimedia Deutschland and also put you on CC.

[misaochan]

@OpenGreenStreet Thank you very much for that. :) Interestingly, the 3rd link that you posted was my grant proposal in 2020 (which was declined and they asked me to resubmit another one with Android improvements instead). So IMO if it is ever going to happen, it will have to be with external funding, e.g. from a chapter. Looking forward to WMD's response.

[OpenGreenStreet]

@misaochan Thanks for your feedback and yes, let's wait and see what WMD replies. I would very much like there to be a solution.