Before attending the Editorial Apps Panel Discussion from Eric Gillin, David Griffin, and Jennifer Brook, I rarely knew the meaning behind the iPad, as well as the reasoning behind having a high tech phone such as the iPhone. Upon entering the room my heart was open and extremely relaxed because of the environment they set. Each one of them had high-paying, prestigious jobs yet had the personality to joke around and make the audience laugh by cracking jokes about each person’s answers. I used to think many people in these industries were stuck up, but they immediately set a comfortable environment that made me want t listen even more!
They talked about the differences between “good” apps vs. “bad” apps which was really interesting. Since I don’t own an iPhone or an iPad I am not very familiar with apps, besides on my iTouch. Gillin and Brook went into how a “good app” is something that you tell your friends about and are really excited about having. Another feature that makes an app “good” is that it’s simple. You don’t want to have an app that is average at everything, but one that is just amazing at one thing and keeps you addicted. A “bad app” is anything that has too much complexity and if confusing to use. As Griffin said a bad app is like an “overstuffed turkey,” with way too much going on that it makes it’s user not want to continue using it, and who would want that!
The trio also talked about the intimacy of the iPad and why it is such an amazing product for their users. They talked about how the touch screen really pulls the user in showing that they are the ones in control with the touch of their finger, rather than wasting time with a mouse. The more powerful the user feels, the more inclined they will be to buy the product. Also they talked about the smart phone and it’s difference from using an iPad. On the smart phones you get all of this condensed information that can take forever to read. Brook said that smartphones are better for quick, simple forms to get information, while the iPad has a whole different reason behind it. The tablet is used to get long engaging information that a person needs, but Gillen said how it is more of a “consumption” device, not a creative.
Griffin compared user apps to a ride in an amusement park, which really stuck out to me. They have to know how to get people to go through the gate, as he said, “again, and again, and again, and again, and again.” Something must compel the user to move forwards, which means that the app itself must be exciting. If the app is too complex, like a roller coaster that has too many loops, people will not want to use it. They made the message clear that an app must do one thing and one thing only really well. That is what will compel it’s users to purchase it.
Going to this speech truly changed my mindset about all of the new technology. In the beginning I always used to say, “What is that?” or “Why do I need that, it’s basically exactly what I have with a few extra apps on it.” After listening to each one of them speak about apps and how vital it is to keep up with the digital age as a whole I realized I really needed to get my act together. I have officially created a twitter and a tumbler just so that I can be prepared and broaden my horizons by trying new websites on the Internet. Gillin, Griffin, and Brook all stated how vital these skills are when interviewing for a job, and the more experience you have with these websites the better. Thanks to them I am going to buy an iPad and become a computer savvy genius over the summer and become obsessed with Twitter. Oops. :D
For those of you like me who don’t own iPads, here’s a nice little YouTube clip of how cool they are and what they do. It’s long but the stuff is completely amazing!
