We recently began development of an Android version of our Globe News app. The goal with Android, as with all of our apps, is to make it feel as natural as possible and to keep with the spirit of the platform.
This means taking full advantage of the unique software and hardware opportunities that Android devices provide. An Android phone is not an iPhone, so why would an Android app behave in exactly the same way as an iPhone app?
After creating a few initial wireframes, we began to discuss ways to streamline and improve the app's overall navigation in order to take advantage of some features native to Android devices.
To test these ideas we used a method called paper prototyping, which is essentially a way to quickly mockup a potential user interface using paper rather than code. The prototype is manipulated by a "user" while another person acts as a facilitator, changing the screens as the user navigates.
As the tests progress we can make iterations and edits in real time by simply drawing up more screens or menus. This offers an easy way for designers to communicate their vision and collaborate with end users.
By using paper, we can weed out usability problems early on, and freely explore unconventional ideas without costly development time.
In the end we hope to create the best app experience for our Android users and this is just one of many of the steps along the way toward that goal. Have any questions or suggestions about our Android app project? Drop us a line in the comments, or send us an e-mail at mobile@globeandmail.com
We are also on the lookout for avid Android users who may be interested in beta testing our app as development continues. If that sounds like something you're interested in, please feel free to get in touch.