10 tips for designing mobile widgets - maemo summit, amsterdam, oct 11, 2009 (maesum) @irajlal
DESCRIPTION
Ten Tips For Designing Mobile Widgets Maemo Summit 2009 Amsterdam Netherlands Do you know why only 1 percent of Mobile Widgets are successful ? What makes some widgets thrive and used by millions, and others with equal functionality bite the dust ? Make no mistakes, design of a widget is not about graphics, colour or fonts. This presentation will demystify this 'invisible' layer below the surface with 10 pragmatic tips. The tips will cover some of the most useful, and often ignored standard design principals and how to apply them in a mobile context. - Rajesh LalTRANSCRIPT
10 Tips for Designing Mobile Widgets
Rajesh LalSenior Engineer, Nokia
Maemo Devices, Mountain View, California
Q&A
Top 5 Tips
5 Contextual Tips
Why Should We Care
15 minutes
Why Should We Care
Worldwide 1 Billion Computers and ~ 4 Billion Mobile Phones
Today Computer to Mobile ratio is 1:4
Smartphone sales estimate: 20% increase annually, today 140 million to 423 million in 2013
Source: Wireless Expertise www.wirelessexpertise.com
Data based on study at http://www.researchandmarkets.com published July 27, 2009
Q&A
Top 5 Tips
5 Contextual Tips
Why Should We Care
Design for a Mobile User
Tip: 1
Short attention span
Divided attention
Interruptible
Dynamic environment
Know Widget
Tip: 2
A Widget is a small, light weight application, meant for a single purpose.
Mobile Widget
[ ]Desktop WidgetKonfabulator, Desklets, Dashboard, Vista
Widget Engine
Native APIs
Web Widgetigoogle, Wordpress,
Pageflakes, Facebook
Web browser (server) based
+ =
< >HTML, CSS, JavaScript, XML, Ajax, RIA
Mobile WidgetS60, Maemo
Web Runtime
Device APIs
11
Target Specific Set of Users
Tip: 3
12
Highly personal device
Rich features specific to users
Allow for customization
Target sport events, conferences
Play Nice
Tip: 4
Follow design guidelines Justify space
Do not poll data frequently Do not be a memory hog
Utilize Device Potential
Tip: 5
Nokia N900
N900 Features
qwertymulti-tasking
personalized desktop
widgets
flash
Ajax
integrated gps
5 mp camera
linux os
3d graphics
Open GL
web run time
Qt32 gb
wireless broadband
powerful processorInnovative design
800 × 480 resolution
video
touch screen48 gb exp memory
firefox browserradio
Q&A
Top 5 Tips
5 Contextual Tips
Why Should We Care
Focus on One Functionality
Tip: 6
Know what Widgets are meant for Quick information
Casual games
Simple utility
Media application
Search / Lifestyle Widget
Recent Trends
Social Widgets
Branded application
Subtle advertisements
Mini Web Apps
Simplify Features
Tip: 7
http://www.google.com/ig/directory?q=clock
Easy to Look
Easy to Understand
Easy to Use
Most effective designs are least complicated
Paperclip Principle
Grab the User
Tip: 8
1. Attract at entry point Short title, simple headings
Nice professional icon
Precise description
2. Make it aliveCompelling data
Dynamic information
Make it interesting
3. Get statisticsNo. of downloads
No. of users
Feed based statistics
4. Hear your userInclude email
Online forum
Allow for feedback
26
Add Social
Tip: 9
27
Mobile is a social device
Always Available
Meant for communication
Interactive
Make it Fun
Tip: 10
29
“If it's not fun, you're not doing it right” –Bob Basso
Add ‘Extra Fun’
Delight users
Give pleasant surprises
Make it special
7. Simplify Features
1. Design for a Mobile User
10. Make it Fun
Ten Tips
2. Know Widget3. Target Specific Set of Users4. Play Nice
5. Utilize Device Potential
6. Focus on One Functionality
8. Grab the User
9. Add Social
31
Q&A
Top 5 Tips
5 Contextual Tips
Why Should We Care
