going mobile: choosing target devices & platforms

going mobilechoosing target devices & platforms

Barbara Ballardhttp://www.littlespringsdesign.com

development options

iMode

SMS

MMSmessaging web

app multiapp native

widgets x15

XHTML Basic

XHTML MP

WML

Java ME

Flash LiteSVG

mojax (etc.)

ECMAScript “web”

picture

Palm

Symbian

Linux QTARM

Windows Mobile

UIQ

IM

BREW

data sync

typical thinking

“Let’s design for the RAZR”

“Let’s design for the RAZR”

“Our market is all phones”

“It’s gotta work on iPhone”

“Let’s design for the RAZR”

“Our market is all phones”

“Smart phones are key”

“It’s gotta work on iPhone”

“Java is a nightmare”

“Java is the best answer”

needs-based thinking

a selection methodology

• class of technology based on application & user needs

• native, cross-device app, web, messaging

• specifics of technology based on market, distribution, and internal company needs

• Java, BREW, web, scripting, Symbian, etc.

mobile needs come from

• users & context

• distribution: on/off deck; market

• device & platform capabilities

• necessary application behavior

• data needs

• the carry principle

the carry principlea user’s mobile phone is always carried

fashion statement

reflection of personality

battery powered

multipurpose

small screen

specializedpersonal device

1 handed operation

inconsistent connectivity

difficult text entry

communications focus

device proliferation

application & user needs

interaction needs

• reliability of data access

• interaction flow

• glanceability of data

• freshness of data

• interaction richness

data access reliability

messaging web

app multiapp native

present unless device

lost

present unless device

lost

only when data access

could be

delayed roamingair travel

coverage hole

calendarcontacts

Twitter

search

interaction flow

messaging web

app multiapp nativeexcellent good

slowvery slow

script only somewhat supported

action games

call contact

add to calendar

news

glanceability of data

• single screen paradigm makes difficult

• browser, app not likely running• less true for smart phones

• smart phone home screens

• future: widgets

freshness of data

messaging web

app multiapp native

excellentgood

RSS

contacts

Twitter

stocks

takes effort

takes effort

interaction richness

messaging web

app multiapp native

moderatescarce RSS

turn by turn directions

Twitter

stock qoutes

rich good

script only somewhat supported

action games

device feature access limited

business needs

• Business users - mostly “smart phones”• North America: Windows Mobile, Blackberry

• Europe: Symbian, some Windows

• Asia: mix - Linux, ARM

• Consumers - mostly “feature phones”• Africa: Symbian, Windows

• elsewhere: mix (Symbian uncommon in US, Asia)

target market = devices

impact of device selection

messaging web

app multiapp native

limited to“smart phones”

wide -“feature phones”

XHTML - wide

script - narrow

text - all

other - wide

smart phone?

named OS?

downloadnativeapps?

heavydata

distribution issues• carrier (“on deck”)

• only way to distribute BREW

• off deck• may need carrier relationship anyhow

• SMS links• disabled by Verizon

• 3rd party sales (e.g., Handango)

discovery issues• environmental (e.g., billboard)

• camera input/MMS

• short codes

• messaging apps

• downloadable apps (carriers may block)

• URL

• .mobi unnecessary (m.gmail.com)

• on deck

platform issues

web issues

• limited script support

• variable standards

• Opera Mini vs. Mobile

• helper apps

• Flash Litemessaging web

app multiapp native

messaging issues

• SMS ubiquitous

• no guaranteed delivery

• lag

• MMS rendering differences

• premium SMS costlymessaging web

app multiapp native

native app issues

• expensive to maintain

• 6% market in US

• highest data use

• still rendering issues

• less supported by carriersmessaging web

app multiapp native

multi-device platform issues

• BREW via carrier only

• rendering issues

• device support varies

• launch times (esp. Java)

• testing & portingmessaging web

app multiapp native

mobile development

SMS

MMS

widgets x15

XHTML BasicXHTML MP

WML

Java ME

Flash Lite

SVG

mojax (etc.)

ECMAScript

“web”picture

PalmSymbianLinux

QT

ARMWindows Mobile

UIQ

IM

BREWdata sync

iMode

Barbara Ballardhttp://www.littlespringsdesign.com