Mobile App Critique

App Review 

I chose to review Code Editor, a mobile application available on the Google Play Store. This app allows users to write and edit code on Android devices using a built-in file system, syntax highlighting, and customizable themes. While it offers solid core features for mobile development, there are several areas that could be improved to enhance the overall user experience.

Usability:
The usability of Code Editor is generally strong. It follows a familiar interface style used in most desktop code editors, such as having tabs for multiple files and customizable syntax highlighting for a wide range of languages including Python, JavaScript, HTML, and more. One feature I appreciate is the ability to toggle line wrapping on and off, which makes reading longer lines of code easier without horizontal scrolling, or watching for indentations which is important in languages like Python. Navigating between tabs and opening new files is relatively intuitive if the user remains within the app.

However, there's a frustrating behavior when using the native Android Files app to open files: if I return to the Files app after opening a document through Code Editor, the editor clears the tab I just opened. This forces me to reopen files from within the app to ensure they stay in memory, which negatively impacts multitasking, especially when opening multiple files at a time.

Design:
The design of Code Editor is functional, but dated. The app uses an interface reminiscent of older Android versions, lacking the visual polish of modern design systems like Google's new Material You standard. While there are multiple built-in themes that allow for some degree of customization such as light, dark, and high-contrast color schemes; the overall layout, font rendering, and iconography could benefit from a GUI refresh to improve clarity and aesthetic appeal.

Functionality:
In terms of core functionality, the app covers many essentials such as syntax coloring, auto-indent, tabbed navigation, and file management. But one major drawback is how the cursor is moved. You cannot drag the cursor with your finger as you would in most mobile text editors; instead, you must use arrow keys provided at the bottom of the screen. This feels archaic and slows down editing, especially when trying to make quick adjustments or corrections. It is reminiscent of a terminal environment rather than a touch screen app.

 

My Recommendations for Improvement:

Modernize the User Interface: A refreshed design with cleaner icons, larger touch targets, and Material You Design conventions would make the app more pleasant and intuitive to use.

Improve File Management Flow: The app should prompt the user before closing tabs when navigating back to the file explorer or switching contexts. An option to remember or restore open files would enhance workflow continuity. As shown in the picture below, the app only allows you to Exit, which also closes any tab you opened through an external file manager.

Enable Direct Cursor Movement: The inability to tap and move the cursor manually is the biggest drawback. Implementing standard text field behavior would greatly improve editing efficiency and align the app with user expectations on touch devices.