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iPad Apps I’m Missing Most
After a week of using the fabled iPad I’m still really impressed by how it has made so many things I do on a computer more fun. In fact, that’s my usual review when asked how I like it by passerby’s in my local Starbucks. It’s just fun.
Really fun, but it’s not without its quirks.
I wish file sharing system wide was easier, and I can’t wait for the multitasking features announced in iPhone OS 4.0. But I have all faith in the brilliant Apple software developers. I’m sure these quirks are but an update away from being fixed.
Many of the apps I’m using are beautifully done. Some of my favorites include: Evernote, Things, Sketchbook Pro, iBooks, NetNewsWire, ABC Entertainment, USA Today, The Elements, Popular Science and of course WordPress; to name a few.
But there are still some apps I’ve come to love on my iPhone that I’m hoping will quickly make iPad versions. Developers if you’re listening, or maybe wondering if you should make the jump to the iPad, the answer is a resounding YES, especially for these must haves:
Tweetie 2
Momento
PanelFly
FourSquare
GoWalla
Flickit Pro
Mint.com
Google Earth
iDisk
DropBox
I’m waiting…patiently. I know thoughtful development takes time.
Is it ready now?
Honda Superbike
This futuristic Honda prototype is really sexy. The 2015 Honda CB 750 by Igor Chak features a four-cylinder liquid hydrogen engine, with a six-speed dual-clutch transmission with electronic lurch and traction control. All with electronic tuning controlled by the onboard computer!
That’s right, this superbike features a first-of-its-kind on board computer, which can be controlled through a 5” OLED multi-touch display positioned right on the fuel tank! Users can switch between 3 menus: GPS, Drive modes, diagnostics mode.
The frame and body is a constructed with a carbon fiber, aluminum, and titanium unibody. Seat cowling is part of the frame, allowing it to carry heavier riders- up to 300lbs.
Front and rear electro-magnetic suspension is also controlled electronically too. Sensors show readouts updating every 1/10 a second and can adjust everything on-the-fly. ABS, airbag, and steering damper. Rims designed to be sleek and aerodynamic. Radar technology to “sense an upcoming head-on collision and will automatically slow the bike.” – most of these features can be manually disabled to suit the driver.
GPS mode is like your standard GPS that will give you directions and etc, but it will be connected to the internet through Wi-Fi and 3G. This will enable you to find information on the go and implement it to your rout.
Drive mode: economy, race and standard. All can be electronically tuned.
Diagnostic mode: lap times, gas consumption, top speed and etc.
Honda, please make this bike! If you need assistance with the onboard screen control design and UI, I’d be happy to help.
(via Yanko Design)
2010-The Year Of The Tablet
As an Interactive Designer I can’t help but get all giddy about the possibilities that a tablet computer presents. Or to be more specific, a location-aware, video camera & accelerometer equipped, multitouch tablet computer on a high-speed network. And like many of you, I believe/hope Apple is close to launching such a device with all of Apple’s polish and panache.
Still, several people have asked me what all the hype is about. Why use a tablet? Isn’t it just a smaller laptop, or a bigger iPhone? Why do we need it? Well, that’s a little like going back a few years ago and asking “Why do we need a touch-screen on our cell-phones?” It was hard to imagine how people would use a screen that small at then-current network speeds.
It all comes down to how we interact with, share and create media (content). There’s the way we do it now, with current devices and web services, and the way we can imagine doing it in the very near future. And the future is very exciting as we are imminently approaching the type of media convergence predicted at the internet’s humble beginnings.
Several industries, like the dying magazine and newspaper industries could be completely reinvented with the success of a tablet device. How? By delivering content in new ways to the digital native generations who don’t read “dated” printed periodicals. While others industries, like Wacom & Bamboo input tablets stand to be rendered obsolete almost overnight.
Interactive Designers in almost every field have begun to consider how the tablet might effect their worlds. Time Magazine partnered with The Wonderfactory to create a demo video (below) showcasing what Sports Illustrated might look like on a tablet. Not only is it a preview of some potential U.I. options for the tablet, it’s also a great peak at converging media, and a wake up call for “old-school” content creators and publishers.
Sports Illustrated Tablet Demo from Jared Cocken on Vimeo.
Getting excited? Here’s a design study (video below) created by Bonnier R&D imagining how content might be best displayed and consumed on a tablet. I love some of the thinking showcased in this video, like the idea that people need a sense of success. We want to know that we’re done consuming the content, like reaching the end of a magazine. In the video the designers use little stacked bars to represent the pages and give users visual feedback of where they are in the content.
Even Microsoft is imagining life with the tablet. In this video demo of the “Courier”, they use the journal metaphor more literally in what they dub your “infinite journal”.
As a designer I like to work with my hands. The tactile nature of a multitouch tablet is much closer to the way I’ve always wanted to interact and create on a computer. I’m looking forward to creating content and applications that are more mobile and more social, accessed on devices like the much heralded tablet.
Come on Apple, ship it soon!
Microsoft’s Vision Of The Future
Despite the fact that Microsoft can’t get some things right with current products *cough*Internet Explorer*cough*, they’ve created this lovely video that explores some future possibilities with how we will interact with data, how the data might look, and devices we might use to get to the data.
Some of the U.I. and data visualizations have nice details. One of my favorites is this coffee cup that lets you know when it’s safe to, say, compose a coherent blog post.
Several tablet like devises are showcased for those of you who still don’t get the allure of the much hyped tablet, you can see a few examples of how people might use them.
VIDEO: Microsoft Sustainability from Hana Ken on Vimeo.
iPhone Stencil Kit
Just ordered myself a handy iPhone stencil kit from the creative folks at Design Commission. This die-cut aluminum time-saver helps you quickly sketch out your iPhone app ideas. And best of all, it’s only $16.95.
Obama’s iPhone App
Have you seen Obama’s website? Not only does it look great, but it’s a fascinating case study on how to use social media that I think any company could emulate. I’ve been impressed overall with Obama’s progressive use of technology, case in point- his new iPhone App.
The app stays true to Obama’s consistently great looking campaign and has some relevant features that take advantage of almost every iPhone capability.
My favorite feature is the “Issues” section, which has detailed overviews on where Obama stands on almost every issue, complete with video.
Here’s the feature list from the site:
- Call Friends: A great volunteering tool that lets you make a difference any time you want by talking to people you already know. Your contacts are prioritized by key battleground states, and you can make calls and organize results all in one place.
- Call Stats: See nationwide Obama ‘08 Call Friends totals and find out how your call totals compare to leading callers.
- Get Involved: Do more. Find and contact your local Obama for America HQ.
- Receive Updates: Receive the latest news and announcements via text messages or email.
- News: Browse complete coverage of national and local campaign news.
- Local Events: Find local events, share by email and get maps and directions.
- Media: Browse videos and photos from the campaign.
- Issues: Get clear facts about Barack Obama and Joe Biden’s plan for essential issues facing Americans.
If you have an iPhone or iPod touch, you can download it now.
Netflix Origami
NetFlix launchd a site page with step by step instructions on how to make origami creations out of the tear-off flaps that come with your movie rentals.
It’s a really neat idea that was poorly executed. The site could have been a lot more fun. It looks like they opted to spend less time in the design phase. The typography is terrible… really the default blue headline…??
Let’s end on a positive note…the origami is fun.
JavaScript Website Enhancements
I really like Tap Tap Tap’s site. Not only does it make me want sushi, but it also makes fantastic use of JavaScript to display all of its content on a single page. Oh, the typography is great too guys. Nice work.
I hate to use the term “web 2.0″, but the trend is changing user expectations of functionality and usability. Using technologies like AJAX and simple JavaScript can simplify navagation, and breathe some life and personality into a site.
Check out Nick’s (Web Designer Wall) post on “JavaScript in Modern Web Design” for some JavaScript plugins to get you started.
iPhone Interface Assets
The introduction of the iPhone brought with it the worlds third big platform to design for. But until recently, there haven’t been many tools to help interactive designers mock-up their creations.
The nice folks at Teehan+Iax have created a terrific .psd file that will help. It’s loaded with all the GUI assets you’ll need to previsualize that killer app. All the elements are fully editable and will have you pitching your iPhone goodness in no time.
Interactive Design Patterns
Most designers have a similar process they go through from project to project. You know Discover, Design, Deliver…
Pattern Tap can give you a little help with that first step. They host collections of common, and not so common web elelments that have been designed well. And in true web 2.0 style, users can save their favorite examples for reference later.
