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Popular social media platforms approach mobile design differently from PC

The market growth of mobile devices has been astonishing phenomenon even for technologists to grasp. As the technologies which support the connectivity between mobile devices and the world-wide-web has improved, so has the demand for a better mobile user experience. Social media in particular has been hit quite hard with this demand, as America’s thirst for social media has began to shift onto their smart phones. This shift has resulted in Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn placing a greater emphasis on designing for mobile devices, which differs from their traditional PC-based web design.

 

The growth of mobile device access of social media sites has been astonishing. Over the past year nearly 40 million U.S. users daily accessed a social media website or mobile app. According to comScore, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn have all experienced the larges gains, specifically “Facebook’s audience remains far larger than the others examined, and grew 50% year-over-year to reach more than 57.3 million. Twitter’s grew 75% to total nearly 13.4 million, and LinkedIn’s audience grew 69% to total nearly 5.5 million”.

The demand trajectories of mobile social media have forced Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn to recently revamp their mobile design strategy in order to continue to remain competitive. 


So which features have been the most important for mobile design?

 

To properly answer this question, all three popular platforms applied their own, unique approach to design, which included the assessment of the constraints for mobile design, unique user needs, and determining whether mobile apps or mobile web development is optimal.

 

The Constraints of Mobile Web Design


According to Luke Wroblewski, an experienced Silicon Valley web designer and author “Mobile First” (an insightful commentary on designing for the mobile web), “successful mobile web designs must consider the constraints of mobile devices while assessing the needs of their users. The constraints to which Wroblewksi refers includes the challenges associated with designing for a mobile device, which includes a smaller screen size, inconsistent connection speeds, and limited attention span of users on-the-go.  


User Needs


Beyond these mobile design constraints, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn needed to design specifically for their user’s needs by placing the most sought after features of their PC websites within a tap or two of their mobile users. According to ReadWriteWeb.com, users of mobile social media websites and apps do spend a greater period of time using specific features which are often the least time intensive. Below is a chart highlighting the features most commonly accessed by mobile social media users.

 

 

(click to expand)

 

Development of Mobile Apps or Mobile Web


So which method for delivering mobile content is best, native apps or mobile web? This question has been resulted in substantial debate differentiating opinions within the web development industry. 


Native apps have the unique benefit of tapping directly into the hardware of a mobile device, which have become increasingly more powerful. The benefits of this dependency include faster response time for switching content and access to smart phone features such as a camera. However, the mobile web has consistently improved it's ability to stream content faster while integrating features such as GPS into the website -- all of which can be accomplished with a greater cost efficiency than platform-specific mobile apps. 


Regardless of one's opinion regarding this debate, one fact remains: mobile apps are becoming increasingly more popular for social media use. ComScore has recorded that "access to social media via apps saw 101 percent growth as compared to 31 percent growth through a mobile browser". 

 

 

As experts examine the application of mobile design within the social media segment,  lessons are learned as to what design attributes are preferred by mobile users. Regardless of the type of constraints, unique user needs, and the choice between mobile app or mobile web, mobile users all require a unique design strategy for an effective mobile experience. While Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn have developed highly successful mobile designs, future design standards will continue to shift as new and exciting innovations take shape within this exciting new frontier where which social media is continuing to lead the way.





Additional Links & Sources


Social networking via mobile devices on the rise


http://www.itproportal.com/2011/11/23/social-media-mobile-devices/


http://technorati.com/blogging/article/social-networking-on-mobile-devices-set/


http://www.readwriteweb.com/start/2010/09/picking-the-most-important-features-apis-for-your-mobile-app.php

 

 

 

Web Development Prototyping Tools

Since we are in the process of developing prototypes for our course, I believe it is relevant to review some of the tools that I have used.

Designing websites can be done using a variety of tools ranging from the complex Adobe Design Suite to simplistic wireframe software. An ideal prototyping tool is somewhat subjective, often determined by user preferences. Design efficianados may prefer utilizing a combination of InDesign, Photoshop, and Dreamweaver. However, software developers may seek to focus less on design and more on content in early phases thereby requiring a less complete suite of tools. Regardless of user preferences, projects require time and cost efficiencies to be successful. Therefore, effective designers are wise to adopt a rapid prototyping software to use when necessary.

Below is a review of several prototyping software tools used that I have used in the past.

1) JustinMind Prototyper: Complete prototyping tool which features uploadable design templates from the website. This tool enables users to design, share, and publish interactive prototypes. Moderate to high level learning curve may be expected.

www.justinmind.com

2) Balsamiq: SImplistic wireframing tool. The popularity of this software has resulted in plenty of consumer feedback on the Internet. Easy to learn tool with basic design templates.

www.balsamiq.com

3) Cacoo: Web-based prototyping tool is both intuitive and versatile. Users can choose pre-made designs ranging from website wireframes to office layout. I had issues with connectivity due to the software being web-based. One of the better tools to use but too many bugs.

www.cacoo.com

4) Protoshare: Full prototyping software platform features group sharing and online publishing of complex websites. Steep learning curve mostly due to lack of intuitive features.

www.protoshare.com

 

Smartphone Adoption Souring

While recently enjoying a cup of coffee at Starbucks I couldn't help notice the iPhones placed in front of every customer as they sipped on their lattes. I immediately thought to myself how only a few short years ago it seemed that there would have at least been a feature phone or two. I decided to research a bit to determine whether my suspicion that smart phones were now the norm in all demographics. 

One source that I have worked with in the past is Usablenet Inc., a company that provides mobile content management systems for companies to deploy their web services across a range of devices. It turns out that my suspicion is in fact correct. According to research firm The Nielsen Company, 43% of all wireless subscribers own a smartphone, as of August 2011, up from 27% the previous August. Further, 58% of wireless subscribers who purchases a new phone this summer went with a smartphone.

Images
It is predicted that the upcoming holiday season and the launch of new devices like the next iPhone could further accelerate smartphone adoption.

This growing popularity of app and media friendly smartphones poses a large opportunity for advertisers, publishers and developers eager to leverage mobile media.

 

Source: Usablenet, Inc. 

 

Inspirational Mobile Apps

Successful mobile application design is founded on the principles that I discussed in my last blog.

Designers must ensure they produce a user experience that is useful, usable, and desirable while taking into account five dimensions of mobile: location, locomotion, immediacy, intimacy, and device. 

However, adhering to this strategic process for developing applications fails to emphasize the importance of innovative graphic design. Here are a few links to sites that offer inspiration design samples and tools for adding the final piece to designing a successful app: inspired design.

 

1) http://www.tripwiremagazine.com/2011/03/20-mobile-apps-inspiration-and-design...

- Provides screenshots of success apps and tools for developing them

 

2) http://www.mofuture.com/design/7-hot-trends-in-mobile-app-design/

- Slideshow of examples and trends

 

3) http://webdesignews.com/the-future-of-mobile-marketing-with-smartphones/

- Mobile marketing overview -- although this is not design oriented material, it is important to review as a designer

 

Mobile Application Best Practices

Now that our course is shifting towards mobile application design, it is necessary for us to consider the best practices associated with developing a high quality application.  Forrest Research's Mike Gualtieri recently published an overview of successful mobile design methods. 

According to Gualiteri, "the quality of mobile user experiences range from pathetic to pure joy". He points out that a common mistake made by designers to focus solely on "choosing the best development tools and designing for a smaller screen".

Rather than focusing on the tools, designers must focus on the user experience unique to mobile -- thereby producing a product that is useful, usable and desireable. Gualiteri claims that focusing on five dimensions of mobile technology ( location, immediacy, intimacy, and device) designers will succeed where others fail, successfully building apps that differentiate with remarkable user experience.

 

*I'll add the attachment.

Source: Forrester Research, Inc.

Interested in Meeting Fellow UX Designers

The Washington, DC region is a networking mecca for many industries including computer graphic and web design alike.

Being students of web design, it is advantageous to meet fellow industry professionals. Throughout the year, organizations focusing on web design host networking events as a means for local professionals to encourage each other.

One such organization is IXDA, which includes a local Washington, DC chapter. IXDA is dedicated to facilitating the networking of the UX, IA, and Interactive Design community. Although the organization supports events around the country, the local chapter organizes events throughout the DC region throughout the year.

On November 21 IXDA is hosting a networking lunch event in Alexandria.

You can find specific details regarding this event on the website: http://ixdadc.ning.com/

 

Specific Event Details:

Time: November 21, 2011 from 12:30pm to 2pm
Location: Quattro Formaggi
Street: 1725-B Duke Street
City/Town: Alexandria, VA
Website or Map: http://www.4maggi.com/
Event Type: meetup
Organized By: Kim Bieler
Latest Activity: 4 hours ago

Source:

http://ixdadc.ning.com/

In the Kno: E-Textbooks Evolving

The popularity of e-books has begun to capture the fascination of educators everywhere. The e-book, although still in 1.0 format has the potential to fundamentally alter the student-to-teacher engagement experience. However, before e-book 2.0 dazzle educators and students alike with interactive multimedia features, a fundamental shift must take place in the education market -- the widespread adoption of e-books. 

Since 2009, Kno, Inc. has worked religiously on developing a solution for increasing market adoption of e-books in the classroom. Using a blend of hardware and software innovations, Kno is seeking to find the sweet spot that encourages students to trade their bagpack sagging collection of textbooks in for a chic e-reader. However, initial e-readers were simply not up to the task. The first major attempt by Kno to offer a suitable substitute was the dual tablet interface:

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Since the launch of this product the company has responded to market demand, leveraging the power of existing hardware such as the iPad to distribute e-textbooks in mass to students. The popularity of tablets and the Kno software platform has enabeled the company to secure distribution deals with prominent academic publishers such as McGraw Hill and Cengage Learning. Although still in it's infance, e-book learning has made significant strides thanks to pioneers like Kno, Inc.

Take a look at kno.com to view the company's current offerings.

The Shifting Mobile Landscape

The launch of the iPhone in 2007 sent shockwaves throught the mobile technology industry. The iPhone was the first disrupted innovation within the sector for decades, leading to the first major change in the world of communication since the car phone. Prior to the iPhone, the opportunity to access the full Internent and run complex software applications in the palm of your hand was considered unthinkable to many consumers.

All disruptive technologies result in shifts to industry standards -- eventually resulting in consumer product changes. The launch of the iPhone in 2007 is an example of one of the more recent disruptive technology innovations. The iPhone resulted in the first full mobile computing experience. As of 2010 multiple competitors have joined the race in manufacturing mobile OS's, including Google's Android which is predicted to outpace growth of IPhone's iOS by 2011.

Below is a graphical representation of mobile OS marketshare: (Source, IBIS Industry Reports, 2010).

Screen_shot_2011-10-27_at_1

 

 

The Future of Human-Computer Interaction?

When thinking of the Corning company, computer technology is not often people's first thought. Corning Inc. is a world leader in developing innovations for glass technology.

As wireless and computer processor technology develop, human-computer interaction continues to change. Materials continue to be a key driver in the innovation of computers. Corning shares its vision of the future -- where which humans interact with their computer environments seamlessly. 

View Corning's view of the future here: 

The Newspaper’s Evolution Continues

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Mass communication continues to evolve as technology influences the transfer of information.  In the past, newspapers used to drive the dissemination of all news. According to Mizell Stewart, “Today newspapers top the list for information about local government, arts and culture, community events, crime, taxes, social services, zoning and development.” However, the role of newspapers may continue to be shifting.

According to a Pew study, 69% of those surveyed said “if their local newspaper no longer existed, it would not have a major impact on their ability to keep up with information and news about their community”. This study reflects the need for newspapers to continue to fight to remain relevent. The survival of the newspaper may be dependent on the industy's adoption of technology. An effective mobile strategy may enable newspapers to continue to remain relevant in today's information age.  

Source: http://www.courierpress.com/news/2011/oct/02/no-headline---mizell_col/