Different approaches for designing mobile collaboration software03.02.11Marek Foss <mfoss@process-one.net>

Designing softwarefor mobile devices

Designing softwarefor mobile devices

is nothing likedesigning for desktops

Keyhole viewport

Keyhole viewport

Limited eyesight

Keyhole viewport

Limited eyesight

Fat fingers

Mobile softwarerequires more

Less is more

Developerwants

features

Developerwants

features

Designerwants

eyecandy

Userwants experience

Developerwants

features

Designerwants

eyecandy

User doesn't careabout the backend

as long as it works

User doesn't careabout the eyecandy

if app doesn't work

Outstanding appsexcel in single tasks

so focus ontask experience

Cover the basics

Clean background

Enlarge chat font

Reduce bubble whitespace

Grow input while typing

TextOneBad example

Offer landscape mode

Retract keyboard with “return”TextOne

If user needs to register

display the form natively

If you must show webfrom

make sure it works!

NimbuzzBad example

Innovate upon others

Modern collaboration

requires concurrency

How to switch between chats?

Safari-style, Homescreen-style

MeeboVerbs

Modern collaboration

means groupchat

Where to show

the participants?

PingChatTextOne

Modern collaboration

is a stream of bubbles

How to show them

more efficiently?

TextOne & OneTeamSkype

Modern collaboration

is enhanced with visuals

How to display images

and video?

TextOneVerbs

Use device potentialCustomize UI for screen classes

like 10'', 7'', 4''; not just OS

Prepare UI for high definition

like iPhone 4 or HTC Touch HD

Use “hard keys”, not just touch

Challenge the future

Algorithmic UI

Source: Pushing Pixels, “Meet the Green Goblin”, http://www.pushing-pixels.org/2010/12/15/meet-the-green-goblin-part-3.html

Vector graphics

SVG ?

Resizable UI ?

Resolution-independent UI ?

Real-time Collaboration

Real-time Editingnot so visible

Real-time Mediaaccess everywhere

Real-time Touchingvery desirable

Real-time = Syncall eyes see the same

Push Notificationscan be overwhelming

Android notifications pane

Create Real-time Experiencebeyond real-time text editing

Thank you! Questions? Comments?

Marek Foss <mfoss@process-one.net>Chief Web Officer at ProcessOne

Twitter: F055 TextOne: MFOSS