Transcript
I Wish I’d Known That When I Started
Chris HasemanAndroidTO
Monday, October 29, 12
AndroidTO
I’ve got more experience than many of you in one thing...
9 Years in Mobile Development
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AndroidTO
9 Years in Mobile Development
Screwing Up
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You’ll do it too...
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Myths of Android Development
✦ Android applications are ugly✦ Simplicity is a matter of doing less✦ Phones have an ‘always on’, reliable connection✦ Users will trust applications from the Play Store
I still hear these even now...
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Android can be stunning.
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Gingerbread isn’t by Default.
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Visual Design
Learn the rules, so you can break them:
✦ Read about Android’s Design Patterns✦ Think of it as learning a new vocabulary✦ Anything you dream up, we can build✦ Don’t let a developer tell you ‘No’
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Smart layouts can adapt.
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Visual DesignEngineers, put on your artist hat!
✦ Don’t be afraid to ask for help✦ Avoid anything default in Gingerbread✦ ActionBarSherlock and HoloEverywhere ✦ Gingerbread is still 50% of the install base✦ Don’t be afraid to ‘borrow’ from things you like
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Simplicity and Responsibility
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SimplicityMaking things ‘clean’ is essential.
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SimplicityMaking things ‘clean’ is essential.✦ Small screens require clean interfaces✦ Applications are used in Motion✦ Challenging lighting situations✦ You have limited, large touch rectangles✦ Short attention span
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Simplicity and Responsibility
How I’ve Done It Wrong:Too Many Settings
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Simplicity and ResponsibilityKilling clutter means making choices.✦ There are an infinite set of possible features✦ Kill or fix unused features✦ Don’t be afraid to experiment✦ Settings should be a bonus, not a requirement✦ Every feature you add is one you must support
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Simplicity and ResponsibilityBad user choice can be a cop-out.
Do not offload the app’s complexity.Make good decisions for your users.
Analytics can help you see what’s used.Simplicity is the result of your good choices.
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Efficiency and Preparation
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Information and Latency
✦ Your phone tells you it’s always online -- it lies ✦ Mobile OS design makes waiting painful✦ Fetching data consumes resources
The Myth of the Connection:
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Efficiency and Preparation
How I’ve Done It Wrong:Loading Spinners...
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Getting Data is ComplexYour job is to make it look easy.
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Getting Data is Complex
✦ Users should never worry about their connection✦ Attention is precious, don’t waste it on failure✦ The connection is unreliable, hide it✦ Don’t ‘lie’ to your users, you’ll be caught
Your job is to make it look easy
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Waiting Sucks
✦ Get new data before you notify users ✦ Use SyncAdapters to pre-fetch data ✦ Avoid progress bars and spinners ✦ Use a persistent data cache!✦ Have separate presentation and sync layers
Make data transaction look instant.
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Preparation and Efficiency
Phone’s lie. Help maintain the myth.Be mindful of user attention.
Obsess over your battery use.Make it your job to hide complexity.
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Trust and Awareness
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Marketing in the Wild West
✦ Any application can destroy a days worth of battery
✦ While the freedom to innovate is amazing, it also means building trust is now on you
✦ Apps can execute bad behavior anonymously
The Freedom of the Play Store:
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Trust and Awareness
How I’ve Done It Wrong:The Vocal Minority
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Building Trust
✦ Let users try before they buy✦ Monitor your permissions vigilantly✦ Make sure every permission has a clear user-
facing purpose✦ Support, Support, Support
Trust must be earned, it’s not given...
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Beware the Trolls
✦ Angry users will threaten, cajole, and bargain✦ Clearheadedness is hard in the face of rage✦ Contented users will remain quiet✦ Your silent majority is hard to track✦ It’s easy to appease the loudest
Angry users are LOUD.
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Frustrated Users
✦ There are a LOT of Android phones, your app cannot work perfectly on all of them
✦ Look for themes in negative reviews✦ Helpful error messages and friendly support
can help your rating a LOT
can actually help...
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Never Waste a Mistake
✦ They’re written by angry users who care✦ Rage is always better than apathy✦ Look for stacked issues if the service goes down✦ If they mention a competitor, investigate✦ Respond, in any way, if you can
Hidden benefits of 1-star reviews:
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Trust and Awareness
Build and maintain trust.Be free with returns. Give out rewards.
Ignore the Trolls. Fight for your majority.Work with Google --
Staff picks are mighty.
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This leads me to one last thing...
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The Last Thing
Google does not control Android.Carriers do not control Android.OEMs do not control Android.
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We help shape the future of Android.Take responsibility.
Be prepared.Build a community.
Make something incredible.
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I Wish I’d Known That When I Started
haseman.tumblr.comhaseman@tumblr.com
Chris Haseman
Thanks!
My Book:Creating Android Applications
http://bit.ly/tGgDRh
Monday, October 29, 12
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