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Apple CarPlay: What problem does it solve?

Posted on by Leonard Pham

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After a year of no news, Apple as re-announced it’s in-car iOS integration system CarPlay

I have to be honest, as a full on diehard raging Apple fanboy, the availability of such features will greatly influence my next car buying decision. However…

In what seems like a huge marketing oversight, neither Apple nor any of the car manufacturers have mentioned any of the primary use case(s) of what iOS integration could potentially offer:

    1. Real-time push notifications for traffic alerts
    2. Real-time alerts for family members. The car sends an alert to your loved ones letting them know that you’re on your way and how long ’til you get there
    3. iOS integration with on-board sensors (Low gas, low tire-pressure, check engine, etc.)

Maps, Messages, and Music? I can already do that…except for the texting part of course. I’ve NEVER texted while driving *looks down and to the left*

All CarPlay is doing (so far) is to give me an easier way to access that information through the car’s dashboard. That’s really cool and all, but it doesn’t address any problems in the context of my everyday driving experience. Here’s hoping there’s more to come.

Food for thought: The Battery is my friend

Posted on by Leonard Pham

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As designers and developers there is no greater sin than building an app that is a battery hog.

I recently read an article by David Smith that speaks to this idea. As David Smith puts it:

“We are building applications that run on handheld, battery powered computers that connect to the internet over wireless networks. Every watt that we can save will improve our customers’ experience.”

From a UX design perspective we have to be aware that our apps live as part of a larger ecosystem of apps, all of which share the same battery on the device. And nothing ruins the user’s experience more than being left with a lifeless iPhone with 0% remaining in battery life.

All the design, features, and functionality will be pointless if you don’t consider the first commandment of mobile design: “Thou shalt not screw with my battery life”

Mobile Design Patterns (via ReadLists)

Posted on by Leonard Pham


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One of my friends recently posted a picture of her daughters in a library researching material that…wait for it…wasn’t available online. Wha?! To this end, I am reminded of how grateful I should be that no matter what I’m working on, inspiration is but a mouse click finger tap away.

Here’s a collection of links (in-progress) that I’m putting together on mobile patterns and designs. Enjoy and Happy Coding!

http://readlists.com/8718723d