week 11: tapworthy

Chapter 9

Chapter 9 introduces the concept of landscape orientation when designing an app’s interface. It’s best to nail your vertical orientation before moving onto the horizontal, as to have a good basis to work with. The biggest reason users need to flip their phone is because some media is formatted better for landscape viewing. Sometimes it can’t all be seamlessly squeezed into the conventional upward roatation. Landscape is great for games, videos, and other immersive apps that require a users full attention. It’s a great way to show content differently rather than bigger. You’re doing more than just flipping an interface on it’s side, you’re given a whole new opportunity to show it in a different way. It’s important to keep in mind that your app should always launch in portrait mode and that toolbars can be squished when switching orientations. Landscape can open up a world of possibilities but also a world of concerns and rules to follow when designing. 

Chapter 10

Chapter 10 talks about iphone alerts and how to properly communicate any noises, dings, or buzzes in the best way possible. Alerts act as an emergency brake, popping up right in the user’s face as a box with text displaying the alert’s message. They interrupt the userflow, and demand full attention. Use calm and crisp language to quietly alert the user of what’s wrong. A notification is more pushy compared to an alert, as a message can be displayed outside the app on the user’s homescreen. They deliver information in real time and can be loud and obnoxious if the user wishes them to be. Their goal is keeping the user up to date. Badges are a numbered red circle displayed with an app icon on the home screen. They act as a counter so the user can see how many messages they’ve missed from a specific app whether it be texts, calls, or game achievements. It indicates new, unread content waiting to be looked at. Spinners are used to tell the user to wait. If something is working behind the scenes, a spinner indicates the progress on an activity that’s taking place or loading. Modal buttons change shape based on if a task is being carried out or if it’s available to press. Overall, the iphone has many ways to communicate in-app messages with their users.

Chapter 11

Chapter 11 focuses on sharing data across different apps and how they can link with one another when possible. Most apps keep their content within the app walls, keeping important data safe from apps that don’t need it or pose a threat. When another app does need information like a user’s contacts, the app will pull from the “master list” to grab the necessary data. It’s good to consider if an app will need to dip into the content of other apps as it can save development time. Information like your photos, contacts, and calendar can all be shared and utilized by other apps by utilizing this tool. Tapworthy apps allow users to add, create, or extended more information into their phones. When needed access to a tool like the web, map, or email, the user is presented with the same standard interface said app presents as. This chapter let’s designers know how to utlize these shortcuts when needed to direct users somewhere else right outside the app’s walls.