This talk will look at the UX process behind a mobile app developed for Blackburn with Darwen Council that enables cyclists to view cycling routes. The main UX challenge with this app has been to apply subtle changes between web and mobile platforms that deliver the best user experience on mobile apps even when there is no internet connectivity or when the connectivity is unreliable at the user end.

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Maximising UX
for
Mobile Applications
Refreshments courtesy of

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High Level Talk

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Steve Hilton
I’m CEO, Bitch!

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Steve Hilton
I’m CEO, Bitch!

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We build apps for
Organisations who make a difference
or influence daily life like…

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Liberty Apps
Global aspirations to deliver equality via technology
Projects Feeling
Preventing sexual abuse :)
Helping refugees :)
Promoting healthy living :)

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Intro to Mobile Apps
Apps have changed our lives

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Mobile Platforms
Like films there are 2 loyal tribes

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Android
Diverse ecosystem

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iOS
Empire of restrictions and guidelines

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Windows Mobile
…and the jokers

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UK Mobile Sales Review
Windows mobile is dying
http://www.kantarworldpanel.com/global/smartphone-os-market-share/

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Numbers behind Android & iOS
http://www.kantarworldpanel.com/global/smartphone-os-market-share/
93.6% in UK and 98.3% in USA

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Mobile UX Considerations
Ignored by the Euro 2016 app…

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Forced Updates
Users should not be forced
to update app

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Battery Life
Users will complain about
poor usage of battery
In Cycling app
we only track
when user presses
locate button

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Location
Somewhat related to battery
For Cycling app
we use constant tracking
Only use if it is crucial to app

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Data Entry
Limit what users
type into phone
Data entry on tablet
is acceptable though

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Login & Registration
Avoid asking users to
register unless essential
Link with social networks
where possible

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Fonts
Stick to trustworthy fonts
Test on different screen sizes

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WTF Barclays?
How are we going to
remember your number?
They should have used
a call button

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Back Buttons
Users expect
consistent experience
Don’t waste screen on
Android back buttons
Do not remove
back button functionality

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This is Periscope
Periscope has:
Android tabs at top
iOS tabs at bottom
Be like Periscope

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Data
Coverage
Analysed mobile
signal in relevant
areas

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The Brief
Digitise existing booklet to mobile app
using the latest technologies for

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Existing Booklet
Designed in 2004 - in the age before smartphones

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The Caveats
Use Open Street Maps
Function offline
Develop for both Android & iOS

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Customer Avatars
A customer avatar is simply a detailed
profile of your target customer

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Hardcore cyclists

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Local Families

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Walkers

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Starting point
Review of existing booklet
Initial interviews
Flow chart of expectations
Paper based prototypes

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Inspiration
So many map & cycling apps to reference
Strava
Google Maps
Ride Yorkshire Route

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Difficult Environment
Cyclists & walkers
Poor connectivity
iPads strapped to handlebars

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MVP
Minimum Viable Product

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Hardcore cyclists

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Local Families

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Walkers

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That moment when you… MVP

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User journey

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Digital Prototyping

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Minimum Viable
Product (MVP)
Simple map with menu
Find location with
floating action button

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2nd Iteration
Added description
to popup
Each route appears in
own colour

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3rd Iteration
Route name in title
Route progress subtitle
Green cycle marker on map

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Meanwhile…
Had to include 5 original
handbooks as PDFs

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4th Iteration
Realised problem!
Popup instructions
Added offline mode

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Research
Reviewed UX mapping strategies

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Redesign
Various concepts for navigation

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5th Iteration
Tap map button to
hide or reveal panel
Required tapping on
marker to select directions
Changed to sliding route panel

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6th Iteration
Location button shrunk and
moved to top
Enhanced to become a slider

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7th Iteration
Added instructions to appear
on first run

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8th Iteration
Numbered the steps
Added step arrows

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On the iPhone
Minimal title bar
Buttons & paging are red

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Council Feedback
Add Text to Speech for the routes

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9th iteration
Added Text to Speech on menu

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10th iteration
Improved the instructions to use
images using sliding pane

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11th iteration
Download options
Only appears on
first run or via menu

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Finally
Now maps work offline without PDF

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Takeaways

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4 Takeways
KISS / MVP
Keep iterating
Consider the locations
users will use app
Compromise on platforms

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One More Thing…

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Next Talk @ Android Manchester
7pm Monday 18th July at Madlab

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UX Events
19th July 1st August14th July

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Thank you for listening
Email
steve@libertyapps.co.uk