Designing Content for Multiple Devices

Brandon & MichelleIntroduction

• Brandon Carson, Bill.com

• @brandonwcarson

• LinkedIn: brandoncarson

• Michelle Lentz, Clarity Consultants

• @michellelentz

• LinkedIn: michelleslentz H E L L Omy name is

5, 10, 80

5, 10, 80Average number of apps used

Percentage of apps deleted within 2 weeks of download

Percentage of available apps that have actually been discovered

5

80

10

Source: Pew Research Center's Internet & American Life Project.

In only 4 previous eras have humans experienced a transformation on the scale of the internet:

• the printing press• the telegraph and telephone• recorded media• transmit sound and imagery

a brief history of mobile time

Year Event

1888 First patent for an electronic tablet awarded

1992 IBM Simon introduced as the first “smartphone”

1999 Microsoft re-introduces the “tablet PC”

2001 Palm introduces the Kyocera 6035 — the first widespread mobile device in the US

2001 The Blackberry is introduced — the first widespread mobile device for e-mail

2007 The iPhone is released

2008 The Android OS is released

2010 The iPad is released

mobile users

Your users now have near real-time access to information in the palm of their hand. They expect:

• technical stability• up-to-date, credible information

The majority of Internet users will eventually connect with

mobile devices first.

In many Asian countries,they already do.

Compared to just last year, consumers:

• Spend 54% more time with their connected devices

• 49% more time talking and texting• 29% more time watching videos

Source: Yahoo! Insights 2011

mobile mindsets

Mobile users engage in short ‘activity bursts’with the expectation to continue

their experience across multiple devices

Fully one in three people multi-task with their devices

Most mobile consumers use their devices between8:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.

Source: Yahoo! Insights 2011

Almost two-thirds of smartphone owners state “my mobile device allows me to access information that helps me in real

life circumstances”

Source: Yahoo! Insights 2011

65% of mobile consumers agree that their mobile device quickly provides the answer to questions when

they need an immediate response

Source: Yahoo! Insights 2011

The deeply personal connection that people have with their connected devices means that we must keep in mind their consumption habits, activities and accompanying mindsets

differences between app types

discover > install > click icon > run

native apps

• must be installed on the device• written specifically for the OS

web apps

• reside on a server• coded once for multiple OS’s

which app to develop?

• native API or native graphics?• written specifically for the OS

Characteristic Native Web

Downloaded to the device

Coded in a language specific to the device OS Objective C, Java)

Runs in a browser

Coded in HTML, JavaScript, and CSS

Distributed via an app store

Full use of device hardware and APIs

Limited access to device hardware and data, as well as user data

Characteristic Native Web

Downloaded to the device

Coded in a language specific to the device OS Objective C, Java)

Runs in a browser

Coded in HTML, JavaScript, and CSS

Distributed via an app store

Full use of device hardware and APIs

Limited access to device hardware and data, as well as user data

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

hybrid apps

• written in native languages• downloaded to the device• can access APIs• content comes from the web

Consumers expect participatory content experiences:

• contextually relevant• consumable with multiple devices• trusted and sharable

authoring tools for mobile first

Flash > HTML5 conversion project

Articulate Presenter

Articulate Storyline > Articulate iPad App

pitfalls

audio and other bugs

creating interactions from scratch

cost

maintenance

conversion:

course length

legacy technology, interactions

and Flash

content

best practices for mobile design

always ask why

know mobile constraints

small screensunreliable networks

people in all kinds of situations

one step at a time

small chunks

orientation

create a default reference designfor the devices and knowyour device capabilities

become more aware of touch targets, gestures, and actions

use technology to your advantage

consider performance optimization

emulation

test and test again

new opportunityreboot

fresh start

goodbye