HotSchedules announced the release and immediate availability of its restaurant employee-scheduling application for Android mobile devices. This is the company’s third mobile application, following applications for the iPhone, and BlackBerry.
“There was a ground swell from our users online through Twitter and Facebook requesting an Android app,” says Casey Clinkenbeard, vice president of product development for HotSchedules.
“This release was truly shaped by our users. HotSchedules customers continue to be a driving force in our overall product development, and mobile accessibility is a top priority for many of our users.”
Q2 market research shows Google’s Android operation system is now installed on one of every three smartphones sold, more than BlackBerry (28 percent) and Apple (22 percent). Additionally, Android mobile Web use has increased 400 percent in the second quarter, outpacing both the iPhone and BlackBerry. Witnessing the rapid increase in adoption for the Google platform, HotSchedules began developing the app earlier this year and is excited to now offer easy mobile scheduling to Android users.
The initial release of the HotSchedules Android app includes employee-facing functionality, giving restaurant employees the ability to:
• Check their work schedule anytime, anywhere with a fast, mobile-optimized app
• Request time off, pick up a shift, or release a shift and check manager approvals directly in the app
• Call or email co-workers on their HotSchedules contact list with one click
• Access their HotSchedules inbox and send messages
An app update enabling manager-facing functionality, including dashboard access, is expected to become available later in the year, followed by Google Calendar integration.
“We’re excited to become a part of the passionate and rapidly growing Android community,” Clinkenbeard says.
“We’re focused on improving the user experience based on feedback from HotSchedules customers, and we look forward to additional user feedback as we continue to make HotSchedules accessible on the platforms and devices our customers use most.”
The HotSchedules Android app is available in the Android Market for $2.99.
