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

Human Experience not User Experince

Posted on by Leonard Pham

“Your solution is not my fucking problem”

I can’t recall the author of the quote mentioned above, but it’s recently become my mantra. Too often product designers/managers/developers are looking to solve problems that don’t exist. Specifically, with regards to mobile, I have a growing concern that too many businesses see mobile simply as just another marketing channel. They invent products and product features just to have another way to target their consumer base and audience. This way of thinking is narrow minded and completely misses the point of what my handheld, internet enabled, location aware, time aware, motion sensitive, video camera, computer, media player, magic box is capable of. The devices we carry in our pockets are more than just a “smartphone” and more than just another “marketing channel”.

In many regards our mobile devices are a physical extension and force multiplier of our human abilities. And when you combine this amazing device with “wearables” and other Bluetooth or Internet enabled devices it does even more! It monitors and records my health. It alerts me when there’s a problem with my car engine. Unlocks doors. Finds lost treasure (my keys). My smartphone literally gives me superpowers and improves my human experience. That’s how businesses and marketers need to think about mobile. Why? Ponder this:

Prior to being sold to Google ($3.2 billion) Nest reported that in one year they had sold over one million thermostats at a price of $250/unit. A $250 THERMOSTAT! But a magic thermostat, that improved the lives of its users simply by learning their habits and providing a more human experience for its users.