By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
SmartData Collective
  • Analytics
    AnalyticsShow More
    data analytics in sports industry
    Here’s How Data Analytics In Sports Is Changing The Game
    6 Min Read
    data analytics on nursing career
    Advances in Data Analytics Are Rapidly Transforming Nursing
    8 Min Read
    data analytics reveals the benefits of MBA
    Data Analytics Technology Proves Benefits of an MBA
    9 Min Read
    data-driven image seo
    Data Analytics Helps Marketers Substantially Boost Image SEO
    8 Min Read
    construction analytics
    5 Benefits of Analytics to Manage Commercial Construction
    5 Min Read
  • Big Data
  • BI
  • Exclusive
  • IT
  • Marketing
  • Software
Search
© 2008-23 SmartData Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Designing for Devices
Share
Notification Show More
Latest News
big data mac performance
Data-Driven Tips to Optimize the Speed of Macs
News
3 Ways AI Has Helped Marketers and Creative Professionals Streamline Workflows
3 Ways AI Has Helped Marketers and Creative Professionals Streamline Workflows
Artificial Intelligence
data analytics in sports industry
Here’s How Data Analytics In Sports Is Changing The Game
Big Data
data analytics on nursing career
Advances in Data Analytics Are Rapidly Transforming Nursing
Analytics
data analytics reveals the benefits of MBA
Data Analytics Technology Proves Benefits of an MBA
Analytics
Aa
SmartData Collective
Aa
Search
  • About
  • Help
  • Privacy
Follow US
© 2008-23 SmartData Collective. All Rights Reserved.
SmartData Collective > Business Intelligence > Designing for Devices
Business Intelligence

Designing for Devices

Jim MacLennan
Last updated: 2010/10/11 at 2:40 PM
Jim MacLennan
4 Min Read
SHARE

 

More Read

3 Ways AI Has Helped Marketers and Creative Professionals Streamline Workflows

3 Ways AI Has Helped Marketers and Creative Professionals Streamline Workflows

5 Proven Tips for Utilizing AI with PPC Advertising in 2023
5 Ways AI Technology Has Disrupted Website Development
Fortifying Enterprise Digital Security Against Hackers Weaponizing AI
10 Ways How Artificial Intelligence Is Changing the Content Writing Landscape

 

The “last mile” of user/computer interaction has seen a number of exciting innovations over the past year or so. Phones are getting physically smaller, yet have bulked up their connectedness and capabilities – and the shrinking screen, now touch-sensitive, has blown up into the ubiquitous iPad and a host of next-gen touchscreens. Yes, I know the iPad came before the iPhone – but vendors have been attempting tablet computers for years. I think the “always-on phone” and society’s fascination with social networking and connectedness made it natural for the change in focus – the world isn’t just at your fingertips, it’s in your pocket and with you at all times.

But after texting and pictures, there were many desk-hating, operations-focused Real Business Users with ideas and needs for a number of Relevant Business Applications that are poised to benefit from a connected, free-roaming UI. Historically, the clipboard metaphor and handwriting recognition has had mixed success, but the gesture-control meme seems to be making the latest waves – even threatening the future of the mouse as the preferred non-keyboard data entry/control device. Robert Kosara’s writeup on the Magic Trackpad is an insightful summary on the current state of Supply and Demand for this important new client device.

Impact on Application Design

With new devices come new and different input and output possibilities – and limitations. Earlier this summer, Mobiletuts+ featured a discussion with two applications designers, detailing how they work within the limitations of the target devices, while taking advantage of the unique UI elements that are available. A key question to ask – Which Device are you Designing for? The answer sets your possibilities and your limitations, while designing the most effective UI for the task at hand.

At about the same time, Derek Powazek wrote up his experiences while designing for the iPad. His flash of insight was the realization that the “design language” of these devices is still evolving; when combined with the rapid pace of innovation, it can be a bit maddening when investing time and thought into aspects of presentation and interaction that may get replaced next week with the “next big thing”. Suzanne Ginsburg wrote of her experiences adding Android UI skills to her repertoire (and features to her designs); she grudgingly takes on the incremental work that multiple UIs demand, but makes the call for some standards to develop.

Is there a shortcut to multi-device development?

New technology from SAP / Sybase promises an abstraction layer that separates the presentation logic from your application. A classic approach – just focus on the application “content”, and the SAP Unwired Platform takes care of the final rendering on the device – any device, even as things change going forward. What’s not to like?

  • The Application Architect sees a relationship similar to CSS and HTML; the presentation details are separated from the content
  • The Corporate IT Developer likes the idea of writing the application once, and eliminating the need for a rewrite for each new client.

However …

  • The Interface Designer dislikes the idea of developing with boxing gloves on – unable to precisely control the unique aspects of any one client device’s native UI by genericizing concepts across all.
  • The Target Marketer knows they could be losing buzz-share with the device-centric mavens that want apps optimized for their favorite platform

Questions? Comments? Suggestions? Send mail to webmaster at cazh1 dot com
© Jim MacLennan for cazh1, 2010.

Jim MacLennan October 11, 2010
Share this Article
Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn
Share
By Jim MacLennan
Follow:
Jim MacLennan is Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer at IDEX Corporation, a Fortune 1000 manufacturer that sells highly engineered products in a variety of markets worldwide. MacLennan has responsibility for Corporate IT services for all IDEX business units, and also drives innovation through initiatives that leverage Information and Technology as growth drivers for the industrial manufacturing space. He regularly publishes his observations and insights on the intersection of business and technology - check out his work at www.cazh1.com.

Follow us on Facebook

Latest News

big data mac performance
Data-Driven Tips to Optimize the Speed of Macs
News
3 Ways AI Has Helped Marketers and Creative Professionals Streamline Workflows
3 Ways AI Has Helped Marketers and Creative Professionals Streamline Workflows
Artificial Intelligence
data analytics in sports industry
Here’s How Data Analytics In Sports Is Changing The Game
Big Data
data analytics on nursing career
Advances in Data Analytics Are Rapidly Transforming Nursing
Analytics

Stay Connected

1.2k Followers Like
33.7k Followers Follow
222 Followers Pin

You Might also Like

3 Ways AI Has Helped Marketers and Creative Professionals Streamline Workflows
Artificial Intelligence

3 Ways AI Has Helped Marketers and Creative Professionals Streamline Workflows

6 Min Read
ai in ppc advertising
Artificial Intelligence

5 Proven Tips for Utilizing AI with PPC Advertising in 2023

10 Min Read
ai in web design
Artificial Intelligence

5 Ways AI Technology Has Disrupted Website Development

7 Min Read
Digital Security From Weaponized AI
Security

Fortifying Enterprise Digital Security Against Hackers Weaponizing AI

11 Min Read

SmartData Collective is one of the largest & trusted community covering technical content about Big Data, BI, Cloud, Analytics, Artificial Intelligence, IoT & more.

ai is improving the safety of cars
From Bolts to Bots: How AI Is Fortifying the Automotive Industry
Artificial Intelligence
giveaway chatbots
How To Get An Award Winning Giveaway Bot
Big Data Chatbots Exclusive

Quick Link

  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Follow US

© 2008-23 SmartData Collective. All Rights Reserved.

Removed from reading list

Undo
Go to mobile version
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?