Learn to program with the Mimo app
While purusing the App Store, I came across an interesting app called Mimo. Mimo is a learn to program app. I couldn’t resist, so here is a Mimo app review.
Mimo Coding App Review
Mimo is a learn to code app available on both the iOS App Store, and the Android app store. As you might expect, the Mimo programming app endeavors to teach you how to code.
At the beginning Mimo learn to code app allows you choose your level of programming experience in the form of one of three levels
- No Coding Experience
- Some Coding Experience
- Lost of Coding Experience
I chose the Some Coding Experience level. Based on that, the Mimo programming app gives you the choice of Web Developer, or Python tracks.
I clicked Web Developer, something I’m good at as a freelance technology writer, but not a pro.
Mimo Learn to Code Review
If you have ever used Duolingo, you will be very familiar with how the Mimo programming app teaches you to code. It has a similar gamification as well. You get points for answering correctly, and for completing sections.
See my Acorns review here.
Tiny bits of information are presented on each screen. You fill in tiny bits of information based on one of three or four screen types. It works exactly like Duolingo. Some screens you type in what is missing. Some screens you use buttons to put the code snippets in the right order. Some screens you select the right choice. And, occasionally, a screen will ask you a direct question like, “What is the HTML tag for?” or, “What tag tells the browser to emphasize this text.”
The idea is that by learning a small amount, 5 minutes or 10 minutes, worth of code you can pick up the language a little at a time with minimal daily effort adding up to a month worth of studying over a 30 day time period.
One of the shortcomings of a quick review like this is that I can only give some much time this morning to running the app, when deciding if it is worthwhile would take longer. So far, it’s fine, but it is very much a syntax teacher.
For example, it does a good job of teaching you that to emphasize text you type <em> followed by </em>, but it doesn’t really distinguish that from saying that this text is important, using the <strong> </strong> tags. And, perhaps like Duolingo, really doesn’t distinguish when someone would use that very valid text versus a more advanced strategy like a tag linked to some CSS. Maybe that comes later.
There are also some projects that one assumes might be difficult given the limitations of the iPhone keyboard. I guess I will see when I get there.
Check out Credit Karma Tax Reviews complaints here.
Is Paid Mimo Worth It?
Is paying for Mimo worth it after the trial period?
Mimo offers a free trial period of 30 days to use its learn to code app. However, this isn’t some harmless free 30 days and then the software locks type of thing. Instead, Mimo forces you to add it as a paid subscription that the App Store will automatically bill you for at the end of 30 days. In other words, it is very important that you pay attention or else you’ll end up paying $79.99 for the app automatically in 30 days.
I prefer when apps do not enter me into an auto-pay subscription. Most of the time, when that is the requirement to use an app, I exit out and delete it. Stand on your own and make me want to subscribe, or don’t, but don’t try and hope my busy life gets you a subscription you didn’t earn when I forget to cancel. For some reason, though, Mimo intrigued me enough to click Yes. I put two warnings in my calendar to cancel the subscription a few days before 30 days to be sure I don’t pay for Mimo if I don’t want to.
I have no interest in finding out the Mimo refund policy when I can be proactive instead.
Check out my GoodRx review
Is Mimo A Good Way To Learn To Code?
Is Mimo for real? Can you legit learn to program from Mimo?
I’m going to find out, a little bit at a time, each day for the next 30 days. Check back for updates as I move along.
See my other reviews including my Propane Taxi review, and my Windows 7 printing issues.