Project 1: Reflection #1

Reflection #1

Before our team meeting today, we were all tasked to propose mobile applications to study for the project. I arrived at two apps that my team and I could consider: Google Maps and Apple Notes.

Google Maps

I originally wanted to work on the mobile version of Google Maps because of my experience with Naver Maps during my summer exchange in Korea. Though daunting to use an app made and customised for Koreans (you sometimes even have to search in Korean to find certain places), Naver Maps showed me problems I had with Google Maps that I would never have realised until I returned to using Google Maps back in Singapore. This reminds me of what Dennis mentioned in class this week on how there are features we never know we needed/wanted until it was introduced. These features included how Google Maps does not have a fast travel option which essentially tells you which MRT door to stand at for the shortest route to transit to another train line or access the elevators/lifts. Do you not remember trying to remember the MRT door number you should wait at on your usual routes? It also does not tell you which MRT exit to take - applicable only to certain stations like Orchard which is super complex and extensive with its many exit numbers.

Apple Notes

The other option is Apple Notes. Simple actions like being able to manipulate the table by adding rows and columns become so difficult in Apple Notes. We also cannot highlight or draw anything on the text itself. This is probably why I do not see anyone using Apple Notes to take class notes.

Our Final Decision

The problem I had with these two options is that it did not quite fit into our project requirements on Mobile Interaction Design. Our team spent a lot of time trying to define it and choose from our options which would be best for the project.

Finally, our team decided on the mobile version of Google Docs. How we got to this decision was rather funny since it was not even on our list of considerations - our group mate could not use his laptop for the meeting and had to join us using his phone, and that is when the problem started. I think this is a really good application for our project because it clearly highlights the importance of context (it is important in reference to mobile interaction design) that we often struggle with defining as with our other options. To emphasise, we would use the mobile version of Google Docs in many different contexts - when we do not have access to our laptops or desktops; when we are on the go; or even when we are giving a presentation and need it for our script.

I am looking forward to how my team and I will approach this project!