Palm Trails Windows Mobile in Application Design

07-21-06, 07:23 AM

Some thoughts on how looks do matter in mobile application design, and on Palm lagging behind WM in this area:

http://justanothermobilemonday.com/W...oks-do-matter/

07-21-06, 08:50 AM

pat, you do relize that palm can run on less hardware them wm can

the first palm pilot ran on 2mhz and was faster then the windows ce at that time so hahah

JMJSelect · 07-21-06, 09:10 AM

I've been satisfied by the "Looks" of palm.

ptunes

zlauncher

skin that i'm working on

Tankman · 07-21-06, 11:31 AM

Totally agree with Patrick, "Looks absolutely DO matter when you have so little screen real estate to work with."

With so many "do it all devices" appearing on the market, I might think, "The Palm'll be the next to go."

Time will tell.

07-21-06, 12:32 PM

JMJSelect - I would never argue that there are NO great-looking, well-designed apps for Palm. I used Z-Launcher when i had a Treo 650 and like your images there a lot. And, I think Palm have been leaders of the pack in terms of smartphone form factor, ergonomics, one-handed use and so on. I just think if you take a pretty standard 'cross-section' of leading apps for both platforms, no contest - WM looks SO much better ...

reese · 07-21-06, 02:08 PM

May not look as nice in all areas, but it works well, in the end that is what REALLY matters.

07-21-06, 02:27 PM

Definitely agree with that. That is kind of the point of the post (and the Treonauts post it talks about) - that with mobile devices and small screens, design is very closely tied to function, and it's not just looking 'pretty', it's an appearance and layout and UI that makes it easier to work, that we're after ...

Originally Posted by reese

May not look as nice in all areas, but it works well, in the end that is what REALLY matters.

reese · 07-21-06, 02:30 PM

well said!

Shizelbs · 07-21-06, 02:31 PM

Graphical layout and presentation can be HUGE in this little handheld world of ours. It can totally dictate function and usability.

qjtrinh · 07-21-06, 03:15 PM

i dunno man, i think looks played a big part on my purchase :)

JMJSelect · 07-21-06, 08:23 PM

I'm not throwing design out the window or anything, I think it's important too, I spent more time on the looks of my palm then anything else when I first got it.

but business wise(and pdas are huge in business) gui takes a back seat to functionality.

windows mobile is better in functionality(yeah yeah yeah), just wait for plinux.

07-21-06, 09:05 PM

PDAs / mobile devices are making more and more impact in people's business lives.

I'd say the deal is, the more you think about, the more you come round to thinking the GUI (if it's done well OR badly) directly impacts functionality. If you need to make a quick call to a seldom-viewed contact on a connected device, and your PIM / Today screen / whatever software, make it (even just a little ) slower to find that contact and invoke the Dial command because of lack of ease of use provided by good sharp design, that is impacting functionality. If a neatly designed app (take your pick on Magic Button, Handy Switcher, Pocket Plus, WA etc as examples) makes it easy and fast to switch back & forth between an app holding notes on a subject, an app holding contact details of someone to call and share those notes with and so on .... that is impacting functionality.

That's my thinking anyway - especially in these sort of small screen environments, GUI and overall functionality are pretty married to each other ....

Originally Posted by JMJSelect

I'm not throwing design out the window or anything, I think it's important too, I spent more time on the looks of my palm then anything else when I first got it.

but business wise(and pdas are huge in business) gui takes a back seat to functionality.

windows mobile is better in functionality(yeah yeah yeah), just wait for plinux.

JMJSelect · 07-21-06, 10:53 PM

Originally Posted by patrickj

PDAs / mobile devices are making more and more impact in people's business lives.

I'd say the deal is, the more you think about, the more you come round to thinking the GUI (if it's done well OR badly) directly impacts functionality. If you need to make a quick call to a seldom-viewed contact on a connected device, and your PIM / Today screen / whatever software, make it (even just a little ) slower to find that contact and invoke the Dial command because of lack of ease of use provided by good sharp design, that is impacting functionality. If a neatly designed app (take your pick on Magic Button, Handy Switcher, Pocket Plus, WA etc as examples) makes it easy and fast to switch back & forth between an app holding notes on a subject, an app holding contact details of someone to call and share those notes with and so on .... that is impacting functionality.

That's my thinking anyway - especially in these sort of small screen environments, GUI and overall functionality are pretty married to each other ....

usaully the best solution is the simplest. especially when your in the heat of a crazed dash to conduct business.

palm is simpler, simpler = better functionality. but I will give points to winmob for capability.