Now that we are familiar with the App Clip feature, its methods of operation, possible uses, and ways of launching, we may as well start creating our own awesome App Clips. We came up with some ideas for it and decided to pursue one.

Please make sure you read our first part of this App Clips story before continuing.

We should start taking advantage of this new and buzzy Apple’s App Clips. So let’s meet Billy, an interior designer. Billy, as a friendly and outgoing person, encounters one common obstacle when he hangs around with his friends. Make sure to follow this short scenario so we can introduce you to our solution to Billy’s problem - Splitbilly.

• Billy is at a bar with his pals.
• Billy is drinking and eating.
• Billy is having various discussions with his friends.
• Billy asks for the bill.
• There are seven people in the group and they need to split the bill.
• They struggle with calculating how much they should pay for what they each drank and ate (especially because they had a couple of beers).

Splitbilly comes in to save their evening. 

What will Splitbilly do?

Imagine the ability for customers to ask the waiter for the bill, then scan it with their iPhone, pick items they ordered and simply pay for it. Just like that. No searching for the app on the App Store, no downloads, no installations, nothing - just simple scanning of the bill with the device's camera. Well, Splitbilly does that.

How does this payment process work?

Let’s have a thorough look.

The customer scans the bill that looks like a normal paper bill but with visual code on it. Immediately after, they see the Splitbilly’s App Clip card with brief information about it and a CTA to open it.

After opening, users will see something that looks exactly like all other apps on their iPhone and they will immediately be comfortable with it. App Clip downloading process passed unnoticed. The app opens with the exact bill and with all the items that were consumed at the table: the quantity of each item, its name, its price, and the ability to add it to the user's own separate bill. Once all the things each of the guests ate and drank that night get selected, they can review their own bill and proceed to payment. More items could always be added or removed by going back and changing selected items added by mistake.

Payment is definitely an easy process and users are already familiar with it. With Apple Pay, they’re just one tap (and one Face ID/Touch ID check) away from it. 

But they shouldn’t forget to tip.

How many people should scan the bill?

Users don’t need to worry about their friends at the table since the bill doesn’t need to be scanned separately. Only one person will scan the bill and simply share it over the Messages app right after they scan it. They also don’t need to wait for others to pay. All guests could pick items at the same time, and each of them will see items disappear once one of them finishes the payment process.

Scan, Select, Pay - and you'll never have to waste time calculating at the table again.

At App Crafters, we find simplicity to be the most effective tool for user experience. We are happy to be on the same page as Irene and Borja, our friends from 8y5 studio, who recognized and perfected our vision.