Innovations in Mobile Applications - Building the UNH Mobile App Suite

Innovations in Mobile Applications - Building the UNH Mobile App Suite

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  Catalyst Seminar SeriesPresents: Innovations in Mobile Applications UNH Mobile Application Development Team February 21, 2013
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  Brief Introductions • UNH’sMobile Application Development Team • With us today: (* presenting) – Cynthia Cargill, Manager, Web Solutions – Renee Cicerchi, Developer – Patricia Estrada, Blackboard Administrator & Developer – *Neil Larson, Web Developer & UI Designer, New and Emerging Media – *Dmitry Sadykov, Senior Developer – *Karen Tan, Portal Administration & Development Manager & Mobile Application Development Team
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  UNH’s Mobile Suitefor Android • • •
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  UNH Mobile Development History • 2010: UNH has two available apps for iOS & Android: • Campus Map • UNH Athletics (originally outsourced) • 2011: License obtained for Bb Mobile Learn App • ‘Blackboard Mobile Central’ offering led us down path of suite exploration • 2012: Build vs. buy analysis
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  In-House Development Advantages  Less overhead  ease of updating  greater control and ability to customize  reuse of framework & content  Shared data & functionality  Seamless inclusion of responsive websites (optimized for mobile viewing)  Potential commercialization benefits
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  Why a Suite? •Streamline user experience – One download, single access point • Maintain competitive edge – Many higher-ed institutions have their own mobile offerings • Push the growing web responsive design trend
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  Identifying the Audience •Students – Enhance UNH experience by identifying and facilitating elements of daily life • Maps, directories, dining menus, computer labs, courses, Bb, event calendar, social media, transit schedule • Prospectives – Selling point for UNH – Supplement to campus visit • Virtual tour, photos, videos, WUNH, Wildcat Link – Integration of social media index ▶▶▶ • Twitter, Facebook, Foursquare, Instagram, UNH Tales
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  Identifying the Audience(cont.) • Faculty / Staff / Alumni – News, events, directory – Remain informed of campus activities & events • Parents – Stay connected with children & have insight into their experiences • General Community – Enhance public safety & build campus familiarity with free offering – Share news & public info into the rapidly growing mobile channel – Experience aspects of UNH from anywhere in the world • News feed, athletics, WUNH live stream, photo gallery, videos
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  Mobile Development Team Assembly • Representatives from: • Academic Technology • Enterprise Computing Group • University Communications & Marketing (New and Emerging Media) • Web Solutions • Guest Attendance: – WUNH – Dining – Office of Research Partnerships & Communication – Campus Planning – University Transportation Services
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  Modules: Website orApp? • Web modules: deliver content to any device. – HTML5 techniques allow for rich media display & ability to create genuine mobile interface – Enhanced search capabilities, SEO, online marketing & social media integration – Analytic capabilities allow for traffic reports & tracking of metrics – Can modify without having to offer an app update • App modules: greater interaction on native devices & OS – GPS, camera, augmented reality, local file system – Benefit of remaining self-contained; no reliance on web server – Control of overall UI design scheme – Ability to operate offline (to some degree) 10
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  Responsive Web Design Responsive websites use the same code and serve the same content as their desktop counterparts. A device-detection script determines which stylesheet to pull, thus optimizing the content layout. Design and formatting schemes were developed in conjunction with those of the app modules to created a unified look and feel.
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  Platform Considerations • MarketResearch – US Market share data shows iOS at 64%; Android at 33%. Other platforms negligible, but with growth potential. (http://clicky.com/marketshare/us/operating-systems/mobile/) – Rapidly changing landscape as new devices emerge
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  Platform Considerations UNH social media survey results (March 2012)
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  Platforms We Choseand Why • Blackboard Mobile Learn Analytics • Drove home what was being used most here on campus • Data is current and consistent amongst faculty, staff and students • Mobile Learn Analysis Demo
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  Download and UseStatistics (as of 2/21/2013) Total downloads: 717 Top modules ▼ Map Stats ▼ Android OS ▼ Learn Transit 1127 1109 Campus Buildings Search 705 151 Android 2.3.3 = 33.52% Android 3.2 = .14% Dining 1094 Building location 50 Android 4.0.3 – 4.0.4 = 30.95% Map 861 Academic 45 Android 4.2 = 4.73% Courses 613 Parking 41 News 576 Dining 35 Athletics 507 Student Services 26 Directory 373 Residence Halls 22
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  Resources for NewApp Ideas • Feedback Channels – Inclusion of information button with link to submit feedback ▶ – Webform via unh.edu/mobile ▶ – Feedback delivered by both channels via email – Student Communications Advisory Council formed by UCM. Meets twice a semester to discuss UNH student experience, with a focus on digital, web, mobile, and social media – Ideas for the mobile app are added to central repository and then vetted by the team
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  Getting the Appin Google Play • Create Google Developer account • Compile the application APK file • Compile graphical assets (icons, screenshots) • Create a new app entry in Google Developer console, upload the APK, images & written description • PUBLISH!
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  Project Considerations (cont’d) •ADA Compliance – Audio-only prompts – Text entry: Use selection-based UI whenever possible. – Inconsistency between focus (tab) order and logical document content sequence
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  Project Considerations (cont’d) •Security: Inclusion of security tips & mobile best practices • Accounting UI differences among display & viewport size varieties • Inclusion of non-Durham UNH locations • Copyright & commercialization aspects • Executive sponsorship = priority for UNH • Effective promotion and marketing strategy – Campus publications, web and print
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  Project Considerations (cont’d) image source: • Device evolution & lifecycles blog.lookout.com – Most phones are kept for 1.5 years – Feature compatibility with different devices
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  Questions? Contact us @mobile.apps@unh.edu Thanks!