Square's App Download Page

I have written in the past about designing for web-to-mobile downloads. Some treatments are effective (ie Jetsetter) despite most being ineffective. Square has built a very simple, good looking page similar to Jetsetter's. The beauty of course is that there is one call to action and then Square can do work on the backend to send the right product information for your device. And if there is breakage in the conversion funnel, they have your mobile number and can reengage.

Smart for Square. Easy for the consumer.

Facebook Messenger Sans Account.

Fascinating. Really important to watch as Facebook moves to the next billion users - which is applicable to the platform and account setting here. Also marks the importance of attention to user funnels and onboarding - clearly something facebooks knows well.

20121204-095533.jpg

Facebook Messenger Sans Account.

Fascinating. Really important to watch as Facebook moves to the next billion users - which is applicable to the platform and account setting here. Also marks the importance of attention to user funnels and onboarding - clearly something facebooks knows well.

20121204-095533.jpg

5 Quick Thoughts on the iPad Mini

After using the iPad Mini for 48 hours now, I wanted to get some quick thoughts down that answer the most common questions I have heard:

1. Is this just a shrunken iPad? Yes, it is a shrunken iPad. But what's important about the Mini is that it's more than just a smaller screen: it's a perfectly sized device: screen, weight, bezel, thickness, etc. If it was merely a differently sized screen - the Mini would not be as fantastic to use. It's hard to explain just how beautifully it is built until you hold it and play with it... with just one hand. It seems ridiculous to say: but after an hour or two with the Mini, your iPad really feels clunky.

2. How does it fit into my ilife? Simply said: I haven't had a need or desire to pick up my iPad since getting the Mini. With exception of:

3. Is the size really better? Unless you use the iPad as a movie consumption device, I believe it is a better size. Reading is easier. Typing is easier (counter intuitive but true). And the weight makes a huge difference. I have owned the Amazon Kindle Fire and Google Nexus 7 - and I have always believed that the 7" tablets were more versatile and usable than the iPad. The Mini's form factor is the icing: weight, thickness and edge-to-edge screen are as important as the 7.9" screen. It always makes the Mini more versatile in that landscape mode is instantly as usable / useful as portrait mode.

4. What will you travel with? Short travel: iPad Mini. Long travel: iPad Mini + Macbook.

5. How about the screen? This is the single biggest complaint and indeed its the single biggest flaw. However, the Retina display will surely come soon. And, the screen is really adequate because the small size relieves some of the pixelation. Furthermore, it is only acute in fonts - graphics are actually quite crisp and clear.

Amazon's Beautiful Cloud Drive for Android Splash Page

I love this graphic / splash page for Amazon's new Cloud Drive Photos for Android application. Beautiful and really, really well done:

"Cloud Drive Photos for Android lets you protect your photos in the cloud and puts your albums at your fingertips from any Android phone or tablet. Start using your 5 GB of free Cloud Drive storage today. Get the app from the Amazon Appstore or from Google Play."