I want to share the top droid applications that I have been using on my DroidX and what I like about them. Before I get into specific applications, let me comment on the key attributes of a mobile application that are important. I am sure the readers will have more to add to the below list but is a good starting point for a mobile Product Manager and a mobile application developer. The below is not specific to Android applications and can be applicable for any mobile OS.
While Apple and Google claim to have thousands of applications on their stores, only a fraction of these applications perform useful functionality or designed well. Browsing through the Android market place, one can notice that a lot of applications have achieved download numbers of any material significance. Of course, there are challenges of discover-ability, brand name recognition and the app. developers do not have the resources to spend on advertising. However, I have seen too many that do not offer useful functionality, no differentiation from the other million similar applications, not compelling enough or no sticky-ness factor for users to continue using the application. In the crowded application market place where the barrier to entry is very low, it is critical that application developers focus on identifying the key factors for a mobile application to succeed.Below are some of the key elements I would focus when building a mobile application:
1. Good User Interface:
(a) Does the application have a good look and feel designed for a small screen with minimal options?
(b) Is the UI designed for the user to perform key functionality with minimal clicks and no irritating pop-ups?
(c) Does the application use the same UI paradigm/conventions, native controls and framework, gestures, icons and images as the device native applications providing the user a uniform and a native experience? Examples include swipe, muli-touch, double click (on some devices to zoom-in, zoom-out) and transition.
(d) Is the application easy-to-use, simple and intuitive?
2. Accessibility and Responsiveness:
(a) How fast can I access the application and the core functionality?
(b) How fast does the application start and be ready for the user input?
(c) Is the installation of the application fast and seamless?
(d) Can the user buy the application with minimal clicks (remember one click purchase) and no lengthy EULAs?
3. Integration and Dynamic content:
(a) How well is the application integrated to the phone functionality (Call, SMS) as well as other applications (Eg.: Maps, Navigation, Contacts, Calendar, Location/Geo-tagging)?
(b) Does the application deliver dynamic data content based on location and context?
4. Using the hardware capabilities: Does the application use blue tooth (specifically if the app. has audio announcements), accelerometer, hardware acceleration, etc.
5. Notifications and Alerts: Does the application use the platforms notification mechanism (both visual and voice) where required?
6. Multi-tasking: Does the application support multi-tasking per the platform's implementation i.e be able to run in the background, support prioritization Eg. On receiving a voice call, the app should go to the back ground and the application audio should take lower precedence over voice call.
(a) Does the application have a good look and feel designed for a small screen with minimal options?
(b) Is the UI designed for the user to perform key functionality with minimal clicks and no irritating pop-ups?
(c) Does the application use the same UI paradigm/conventions, native controls and framework, gestures, icons and images as the device native applications providing the user a uniform and a native experience? Examples include swipe, muli-touch, double click (on some devices to zoom-in, zoom-out) and transition.
(d) Is the application easy-to-use, simple and intuitive?
2. Accessibility and Responsiveness:
(a) How fast can I access the application and the core functionality?
(b) How fast does the application start and be ready for the user input?
(c) Is the installation of the application fast and seamless?
(d) Can the user buy the application with minimal clicks (remember one click purchase) and no lengthy EULAs?
3. Integration and Dynamic content:
(a) How well is the application integrated to the phone functionality (Call, SMS) as well as other applications (Eg.: Maps, Navigation, Contacts, Calendar, Location/Geo-tagging)?
(b) Does the application deliver dynamic data content based on location and context?
4. Using the hardware capabilities: Does the application use blue tooth (specifically if the app. has audio announcements), accelerometer, hardware acceleration, etc.
5. Notifications and Alerts: Does the application use the platforms notification mechanism (both visual and voice) where required?
6. Multi-tasking: Does the application support multi-tasking per the platform's implementation i.e be able to run in the background, support prioritization Eg. On receiving a voice call, the app should go to the back ground and the application audio should take lower precedence over voice call.
6. Personalization: Does the application offer personalization features i.e remember my favorite genre, my frequently accessed content, etc.
7. Battery and memory consumption: Simple things like turning the back light off when not required or after certain duration of inactivity.
8. Speech recognition: Use speech recognition where ever possible.
9. Seamless updates: Frequent and seamless updates are extremely important to ensure end user issues are resolved and new features provided.
10. Cool-factor: Last but not the least, let us not forget the viral nature of the mobile applications.
