Release notes

What's new in SMAAT

New features in the SMAAT app and on the researcher platform, release by release. Releases that only fix bugs are not listed.

app releases with new features
15
features listed on this page
62
days between app releases, on average
35
languages in the app
16

Features added per release

In the appOn the webMilestoneSelect a bar to open that release

510Jul 2025OctJan 2026AprJulOctMovement tasksParticipant payments25+ cognitive tasksApple HealthStudy chatLaunch

Shows only what was added after that version.

62 features in 15 app releases and 3 web updates

Web · October 2026

No app update needed

Researcher platform#

Video tutorials, new questionnaire items, and clearer location settings.

On the web

  • Video tutorialsStudy setup

    Narrated videos on each step of a study, with chapters, transcripts and captions, on one page and next to the matching docs.

    All video tutorials

  • OECD well-being items in the item librarySurveys

    14 entries based on the OECD Guidelines on Measuring Subjective Well-being, ready to insert into a survey.

    Docs: Designing surveys

  • More detail on library itemsSurveys

    Each item shows its time frame, whether the wording is original or adapted, and every response anchor.

    Docs: Designing surveys

  • Location presets explainedSensors & health

    The Background Data settings show what each location preset records, and the preset can be customised from there.

    Docs: Background sensor data

1.4.8

Latest

iOS and Android#

Joining a study is simpler, and help and videos are available inside the app.

In the app

  • Help and videos in the appParticipants

    A new Help and videos entry opens the participant guide and the tutorial videos.

    Docs: Participant guide

  • Study links and QR codes open the studyParticipants

    Scanning a study's QR code or opening its link goes straight to that study.

  • Notification permission asked when joiningMessages

    The app asks for permission while the participant joins a study. Studies without a notification schedule do not ask.

    Docs: Notification channels

  • Help for turned-off permissionsParticipants

    When a permission is off, the app explains what the study needs it for and opens the phone's settings.

  • Battery and Health Connect guidanceAndroid onlySensors & health

    The app shows when battery optimisation or a missing Health Connect would stop data collection, and how to change it.

    Docs: Background sensor data

1.4.7

Milestone: Movement tasks

iOS and Android#

Tasks that use the phone's motion sensors, nine more cognitive tasks, and encryption of every upload in encrypted studies.

In the app

  • Movement-sensor tasksTasks

    Approach-avoidance training, static balance, tremor and dual-task walking, measured with the phone's motion sensors.

    Video: Add a cognitive task

  • Nine more cognitive tasksTasks

    Stroop, N-back, Stop-Signal, dot-probe, Implicit Association Test, picture rating, DCCS, cued CPT and a four-deck gambling task.

    Video: Add a cognitive task

  • Stop a task part-wayTasks

    Participants can stop a cognitive task early. The answers given so far are kept and flagged in the data.

  • Every upload encrypted in encrypted studiesPrivacy

    Survey answers, sensor data, files and task audio are encrypted on the phone before they are uploaded.

    Video: How encryption works in SMAAT

  • Age check at sign-upPrivacy

    Participants confirm their age when they create an account.

Web · August 2026

No app update needed

Researcher platform#

A check of how demanding a study's schedule is for participants.

On the web

  • Burden checkStudy setup

    Projected compliance for the study's schedule, compared with published EMA studies, with a what-if view for schedule changes.

1.4.5

iOS and Android#

Drawing answers and clearer notification settings.

In the app

  • Drawing questionsSurveys

    Participants trace a line to show how something changed over time, or sketch an answer.

    Docs: Designing surveys

  • Separate notification categoriesMessages

    Study prompts and announcements arrive in separate notification categories, which participants manage in the phone's settings.

  • Notice for closed surveysParticipants

    A survey opened after its response window has closed says so instead of opening.

1.4.3

iOS and Android#

Personalised surveys and randomised question variations.

In the app

  • Personalised surveysSurveys

    Check-ins can be tailored to each participant. The research team reviews every version before a participant sees it.

    Docs: Designing surveys

  • Randomised question variationsSurveys

    A survey can show one of several versions of a question, chosen at random.

    Docs: Designing surveys

On the web

  • Power & Design PlannerStudy setup

    Open the ESM Power & Design Planner from a study, with the study's length and prompt schedule filled in.

1.4.1

Milestone: Participant payments

iOS and Android#

Participants can be paid inside the app.

In the app

On the web

1.3.3

Milestone: 25+ cognitive tasks

iOS and Android#

A library of cognitive tasks, pre-screening, and new views on the study dashboard.

In the app

On the web

1.1.7

Milestone: Apple Health

iOS and Android#

Health data from Apple Health.

In the app

  • Apple Health dataiOS onlySensors & health

    With the participant's permission, a study can read steps, resting heart rate and sleep.

    Docs: Sensor dataVideo: Collect location and health data

  • Health data explainedPrivacy

    The privacy policy and the in-app texts explain which health data a study reads.

1.1.6

iOS and Android#

Formatted text in questions.

In the app

1.1.3

iOS and Android#

Participants see their progress.

In the app

  • Study and task completionParticipants

    Participants see which surveys and tasks they have completed in each study.

1.1.0

Milestone: Study chat

iOS and Android#

Messages between participants and the research team.

In the app

  • Study chatMessages

    Participants can message the research team from inside a study.

On the web

  • Messages on the study dashboardMessages

    Researchers read and answer participant messages on the study dashboard.

    Docs: Study dashboard

1.0.3

iOS and Android#

Participants can look back at their own answers.

In the app

  • Charts of your own answersParticipants

    Participants can view charts of their survey answers over time.

  • Redesigned study cardParticipants

    A clearer study card on the app's home screen.

1.0.2

iOS and Android#

The app in more than one language.

In the app

  • Multi-language appParticipants

    The app's interface is available in several languages.

  • Clearer background data screenSensors & health

    A redesigned screen shows which background data the study collects.

    Docs: Background sensor data

1.0.1

iOS and Android#

Randomised question order.

In the app

1.0.0

Milestone: Launch

iOS and Android#

First public release on the App Store and Google Play.

In the app