Since we’re all grounded for the foreseeable future, download the “been” app to track your past travels and dream up future trips.

First, a bit of background: I generally keep no more than 2 pages of apps on my phone (no folders!), so every app has truly earned its spot. “been” has been (pun intended) on my phone ever since I got it (and it’s an iPhone 6S for context!). Also, this post is not sponsored, I wish it was!

So what exactly is this app? been is a FREE app that allows you to keep track of what % of the world’s countries you’ve visited. The simple interface means all you have to do is check off your visited places from a list of countries and it automatically calculates the percentage of the world you’ve seen. At the bottom of the screen you can toggle between the world vs. the USA, where you can select states visited. So far, I’ve seen 7% of the world’s countries and 62% of the USA (I am missing most of the mid-west states).

This app has a remarkably simple interface, but there are a few key features I want to call attention to:

1. When you click on a country/state it links directly to country’s official Wikipedia page.
2. The app makes it easy to upload your custom map to Instagram or share your travels via text. If it’s not on social media, did the trip even happen? *sarcasm* Added bonus, your social-media-ready-map will automatically include the % of the world you’ve seen.

So, what do others think? What’s the consensus?

One of the best ways to learn more about a product and what could be improved upon, is by reading the app reviews. On Google Play, been has a rating of 3.3/5. On the App Store, it has 3.7/5. My rating would be 3.5/5, right smack in the middle.

Reading through the reviews I noticed the same few comments again and again:

1. The Android version lacks most of the iOS capabilities, for example, there is no USA map for Android users.
2. There is no log-in or way to backup data. Every time a user gets a new phone they have to enter all their data from scratch. Not a great function for an app that exists to serve as a memory log.
3. Missing countries and countries incorrectly categorized by continent.

It’s interesting to note that I’ve read several reviews where people wished the app was more in depth and allowed you to record the specific cities you’ve been to. While I appreciate the ambition, I actually prefer having a high level overview app that takes minimal space on my phone.

Possible Points of Improvement?

It’s worth repeating that been is a 100% free app with no in-app purchases, so any points of improvements are less qualms and more food for thought. Besides addressing the concerns of the previous section (all valid complaints), here are a few suggestions:

• An improved map interface. I agree with the myriad of comments I read asking for a pinch and pull map interface. This feature would be especially useful for Europe with all its geographically small countries (Luxembourg anybody?). Most of us, including myself, have to come expect an interactive map and find our fingers will automatically try to zoom in.
• Colours! Branding! I love the signature orange hue of been, but I wish there was a more comprehensive colour palette. Perhaps a blue, a teal or a whole spectrum of orange with black accents? The icon itself is most problematic, the pale grey is underwhelming and I often have trouble spotting the app on my phone.
• Option to bookmark countries for future travel? The most I use been is immediately when I’ve come back from a trip or am wishfully planning future travels. I definitely do not use this app daily; very rarely am I randomly struck by an urge to check my travel log. Allowing users to use the app to plan future trips would be a great way to boost retention.
• Spotlight country of the day. Ever fallen down a rabbit hole of dictionary.com’s word of the day? Same. Now imagine if been highlighted a country of the day … awesome right?
• Cloud nine scenario: been could partner with travel agencies or airlines to become the ultimate vacation app. It would ideal if been was built to help you track and boost the % of the world’s you’ve seen all within the same app.
• (Update): Since publishing this post, my talented sister has recommended a colour-coded system or separate tab to designate countries where you’ve only been to the airport. This system could placate globetrotters as airport hopping to count countries has been a longstanding controversy. Also, my sister’s amazing and you should check out her website, designed by moi.

Sidebar, I strongly recommend you to pick an app on your phone and brainstorm product improvements - it’s a thought-provoking and highly satisfying exercise. It’s a bit like, “If I were president, I would create a law…”

So what?

In short, I highly recommend you download this app! At the very least, you’ll have a fun hour brainstorming every place you’ve ever been; best case, you’ll have the app on your phone for years as a handy record of your wanderlust.

Side note, this app is ideal for a UX portfolio redesign. The structure of the app is simple and clean, but it’s just begging for a UI makeover. Stay tuned for a potential redesign courtesy of moi! If you attempt this design challenge, tag @brandcereals on Instagram so I can check it out!

**Note: Article originally posted on September 15th, 2020 on brandcereals.com, migrated to Mirror in Jan 2022