jeffsoo: Archive

3 tags

An Event Apart: Designing for Touch →

Some key takeaways from Luke Wroblewski’s notes on Josh Clark’s talk at “An Event Apart” in Seattle: There are three ways to hold a phone: one thumb/one hand, two hands/one finger or thumb, and two hands/two thumbs. 49% of people observed using phones outside, used one thumb/one hand. Half of people using phones outside use their devices with one hand, allowing only...

Apr 6th

1 note

Second screen and why you should pay attention in... →

Will 2013 be the year of the on-screen hashtag? With Twitter and Nielsen coming together to create the “Nielsen Twitter TV Rating” to measure and capture audience engagement with programming, it’s only inevitable to see the evolution of “joining the conversation” on TV. A year ago, the season finale of ABC Family’s “Pretty Little Liars” generated...

Mar 20th

Jan 25th

Jan 5th

3 tags

Hatch →

A few months ago, I had the sudden urge to relive my childhood and play with a Tamagotchi, Pocket Pikachu, or Digimon, so I walked into Toys R Us hoping to buy one, but came out empty handed. I looked through the App Store to see if an app existed, and sure enough there were a bunch of virtual pet apps, but they all seemed dull in functionality and design. Impending and Realmac, the guys behind...

Dec 18th

4 tags

Chirpify's in-stream commerce platform on... →

People purchase directly from your Instagram post by commenting “buy”. No linking off Instagram, no shopping carts or checkout process. Chirpify looks extremely simple to use and looks like it won’t interrupt the content browsing experience on Instagram too much (most of the friends posts are of goods anyway). I haven’t been able to try it, but I wonder what might...

Oct 23rd

3 tags

Instagram @mentions now translate to Twitter →

Bijan’s “People Tagging” issue has been addressed by Instagram! I’ve been frustrated when I’ve @ mentioned someone on an Instagram caption, posted it to Twitter, and because the tagged person has a different handle on Twitter, can’t get notified of the post. I once got an @ message from the mis-tagged user telling me I tagged the wrong person. Instagram’s...

Oct 19th

7 tags

BorrowLenses and the P2P Marketplace

I recently took a trip to Hawaii and while I was planning, I was thinking about the camera gear I wanted to bring with me. My typical bag for a trip consists of: 5DM2 body, 50mm f/1.4, and 17-40 f/4. After hearing about BorrowLenses.com from some friends, I thought it would be worth a shot to rent a lens (35mm f/1.4) I’ve been wanting to use for years, but have never committed to saving up...

Oct 9th

1 note

2 tags

Welcome to the new Myspace! →

Myspace’s massive redesign looks pretty amazing (based on the promo video). There’s a big focus on images and video, and you’ll notice it right away with the full-page dimensions. For now, no banner ads and flashy animated gifs, though I bet they’ll make a comeback in some way, shape or form. Some screenshots remind me of Tumblr, though that’s perfectly fine with me....

Sep 25th

3 notes

8 tags

Push For Wireless Charging

During today’s WP8 and Nokia Lumia announcement, a wireless charging feature was unveiled. And on top of that, a partnership with both Virgin Atlantic and The Coffee Bean (and more partners planned), where airport lounges and tabletops will implement wireless charging abilities for device owners. If this works well in terms of infrastructure, feasibility, budget, and overall...

Sep 5th

1 note

4 tags

Curiosity's Tracks Spell out "JPL" in Morse Code →

The imprints left by the treads on the wheels help the rover calculate whether or not Curiosity has traveled its expected distance. How many JPLs in a mile?

Aug 24th

4 tags

Facebook On iOS Goes Native →

The switch from HTML5 to a native app is definitely showing improved performance and now allows the app to tap into other features in iOS’ SDK. I’m still impressed with the architecture of developing a web app within a native frame like they did in the previous version (especially useful for updating apps across browsers/platforms with less effort). Users don’t have to update the...

Aug 23rd

1 tag

Thanks Nintendo Power →

Nintendo Power was the first magazine publication I ever subscribed to. Back when I was young, and Nintendo was the powerhouse of gaming consoles, I would wait anxiously each month to read about new and upcoming games (and additional hints and cheats for games I already owned) for my N64 and Game Boy. This was my bible. I would bring it to school, daycare, everywhere. Thanks for the last 24 years.

Aug 22nd

2 tags

Changes coming in Version 1.1 of the Twitter API →

Changes will include: required authentication on every API endpoint a new per-endpoint rate-limiting methodology changes to our Developer Rules of the Road, especially around applications that are traditional Twitter clients. Twitter is full-steam ahead on regulating its API requirements to prevent malicious use. Will be really interesting to see how new and existing products/services deal...

Aug 17th

3 tags

Digg v1

About 2 weeks ago, Betaworks announced they were acquiring Digg for about $500k. Let that sink in for a bit. A company that has taken in about $45M in funding (CrunchBase), who has turned down acquisition offers from giants like Yahoo and Google, sold for what many startups aim to raise in an angel/friends & family round. John Borthwick and company have an audacious vision to turn Digg...

Aug 2nd

3 tags

Kaskade Freaks of Nature Tour

Jul 31st

3 tags

NBC's Opening Ceremony Broadcast Fail

The Opening Ceremonies are happening now, live in London. The problem? NBC is forcing those in the US to wait until primetime, 7:30PM and watch it as a pre-recorded event. The Olympics this year will have a huge presence on social media. Twitter has a dedicated page for #Olympics where content is being curated by people like Hope Solo, Michael Phelps, and LeBron James. Everyone who is able to...

Jul 28th

1 note

5 tags

Twitter Shuts Off “Find Friends” Feature For... →

There’s a difference between the audience I follow on Twitter and the audience I follow on Facebook. I prefer following industry-specific people on Twitter (those who, like me, are in technology, startups, design, ux, etc…). And of those Twitter users, there are plenty that I would like to follow on Instagram. Instagram just announced that they’ve reached 80 million users and...

Jul 27th

6 tags

Displaying UIStatusBar

Is it necessary to hide the status bar? Does a 20px bar make the difference in your experience? Lately, I’ve been wondering whether or not designers and developers consider showing or hiding the status bar in their apps for usability or just for the sake of saying that they have a “fullscreen” app. Don’t get me wrong, I understand that 20px of screen real estate is...

Jul 22nd

3 tags

Retina.js →

Now that the Macbook Pro with Retina is out, high-density displays are now available on 3 types of Apple devices: handheld (iPod/iPhone), tablet, and laptop. As high-res devices pervade throughout the industry, it’ll be much more necessary to update websites to accomodate for both standard and retina displays. Retina.js is a simple script that checks to see if you have images on your server...

Jul 22nd

5 tags

Sparrow Acquired By Google →

What a ride it’s been for Sparrow! I’ve been happily using the desktop and mobile products since they first came out and the products have definitely left their mark on the development of email clients. The group is now joining the Gmail team, where their strength in design will hopefully improve Gmail’s web and mobile experiences. We’d like to extend a special thanks to all...

Jul 20th

5 tags

on{x} →

Looks like Microsoft was a bit inspired by and built a hybrid of IFTTT and Reminders.app on steroids (much better actions and triggers for mobile use). I’ll let you be the judge. Take a look at some of the pre-made recipes like “Text my wife ‘my phone’s battery is dying’ when my phone’s battery goes below 15%” or “Show me the weather forecast every...

Jul 11th

9 tags

Disney's New Take On App Development

The top 3 paid apps in the Apple App Store are all Disney titles. If you take a closer look, #1 Where’s My Perry? and #3 Where’s My Water? are essentially the same app. And #2 Temple Run: Brave has a title that sounds awfully familiar. None of these are sequels. Where’s My Water is the only un-branded, original app. Disney’s latest mobile trend has been to...

Jul 10th

3 tags

Furby Is Back →

Oh crap, it’s back. When I was 10, Furby was one of the hottest toys and probably the most demanded Christmas gift of 1998. The “Tickle Me Elmo” effect was about to take toy stores by storm. I have no idea how, but my mom managed to get me one that Christmas, and I went nuts. This “thing” was one of the most amazing thing I’ve ever had, joining my other prized...

Jul 6th

1 note

3 tags

Spotify Gets More Notifications

A recent update to the Spotify desktop app has increased the presence of dynamic content. Previously, you could send a song/playlist/album to another user and they would be able to see it in their “Inbox” on the app (and as a Facebook notification if they linked their account). Now, there’s a more in-your-face notification component in the toolbar on the left of your profile...

Jul 6th

4 tags

The camera you have with you →

Marco is spot on. When the 5D2 was announced, it was like Christmas came early for me. I quickly went to the Samy’s to add my name to their pre-order wait list, with no guarantee of when I would ever get it. Plan B was to pre-order online at B&H. If you were following the camera market at all at the time, you’d know that this was the hottest item on everyone’s wish list. When...

Jul 1st

4 tags

Apple AirPort Express

Apple quietly debuted a new AirPort Express at this year’s WWDC. The form factor has taken a cue from the Apple TV and comes in a glossy white. One of the most noticeable changes is the separate power cord, allowing the device to be placed anywhere you’d like, unlike the previous generation’s integrated power connector that forced the device to be joined with the power outlet...

Jun 18th

2 notes