http://brandimpact.files.wordpress.com/2011/08/linkedin_social.png

courtesy

http://brandimpact.wordpress.com/2011/08/10/a-box-you-want-to-uncheck-on-linkedin/

http://technology.ukplurk.com/2011/05/google-doodle-celebrates-mother-of.html

What led to this growth?

The mobile services, browsers, cellular networks, advanced handsets and engaging  user experience, mobile applications are key factor to the growth of mobile internet. Popularity of the 3G networks and handsets is expected to increase by 57% by the end of this year.

Mobile Internet Adoption Growth

Since 2007 to mid 2009, adoption of mobile usage has grown from 11% to 17%.It nearly represents 40 million users.

Organizations focusing on the user engagements and higher customer satisfaction is taking a closer look at the user experience of such devices.

Popular Smart Phone Options

Users who are net savvy are very likely to buy a phone with very good browsing experience such as iPhones, Nokia N series , Android, Blackberry and other smart phones.

Experience

Smart phones offer a better experience over other phones.

As per the North American mobile and telecom survey , on a sample size of 4599 adult users. These are the following top 3 user destinations:

• Social networking sites
• Youtube videos
• Games
• location based services

Around 4% of the smart phone users have downloaded at least one social networking app to their cell phones. One reason being that apps are more focused and they provide the exact and key tasks and information for the users unlike the PC experience.

It is observed that satisfactory experience leads to more user engagement. Around 41% of the users, who were satisfied used the social networking apps, multiple times in a day. Where as poor product experience led to the drop in accessdaily usage to 11%.

Applications

People buying the iphones and iPads are downloading free and paid apps like never before. The apps also provide the contextual information such as the users location and information related to the same. Couple of popular apps ,such as Foursquare, Gowalla, brightlight  are becoming very popular.Around 35% of the North American population browses the mobile web. Around 61% of the users send or receive SMS daily,and 51% exchange emails using smart phones.

Advertisement

For the companies, it provides a way to provide better-target their ads. Also ,it is possible to target better demographics. Based on the location of the users, companies can target their deals and coupons.

In a sample size of 30,000 plus ,around 33% of users recalled the ads.Around 18% visited internet or mobile internet.35% of the users recalled that they have seen mobile ads.Teenagers are more likely to take some actions on the ads.

From the Designer’s perspective, I guess we need to be ready and updated with the latest trends and technology and be abreast with the mobile trends.

References:

• Forrester Research
• Youtube
• Nielsen Research

To free myself from the hustle bustle of city life, I went ahead to take refuge in the valleys of Nanital, a hill station in Uttrakhund, India.
It is situated at a height of 1939 meters from sea level and is 29 degree 24′ north latitude and 79 degree 28′ east longitude. Nainital is much colder than the rest of the nearby hill stations of Kumaon region. During monsoon, it is a difficult place for tourists due to heavy rainfall.

Nanital has something interesting for everybody, a pilgrimage center for devotees, a trekking center for sports enthusiasts, zoo and bird watching for nature lovers, and a general feel good place for everybody else.

Reaching out there

We started our journey from Bangalore by flight till Delhi and from there to Hardwar and finally landed to Kathgodam by train. Kathgodam is nearly 35 kms away from Nainital. We took a local taxi from Kathgodam to the hotel. The taxi worked out cheaper. The drive to Nainital is really very scenic and we took halt at a Dhaba for a hot sip of tea and some fiery delights. Early morning mountain tea in the cold weather was an experience in itself. Alternative way to reach Nanital is by flight which is 70 kms away in Pantnagar.
It took us some 2.5 hrs to reach the hotel, which was around 4-5 kms uphill from mall road. The temperature of the city was just apt and I was amazed by the lakes and natural beauty of the place. The environment just makes you spellbound. It was a good time to retrospect.

Believe it or not

As per the Hindu mythology, Nanital is one the 64 pilgrimage centers (Shakti peets) where the ‘eye’ of Devi Sati fell off, when lord Shankar was caring her corpse. The city takes its name from the Lake (Tal) and Nain (Eyes).One end of the lake is Naina Devi’s temple.

Another story of interest dates back to Puranas. It is believed that sages namely Atri, Pulastya and Pulaha came to Nainital but did not find any sign of water, and dug a hole to drain off the Mansarover water and quenched their thirst.

Historically, it is said to have been discovered by an Englishman named P. Barron in 1839.He was so fond of the place that he left his sugar business and settled out there. The legendary hunter and wild life conserver Jim Corbet also used to live here.

Places of interest in Nainital

We hired a cab to visit the following places within one and a half days time.

Naina Devi Temple

Naina devi temple is at the northern side of the lake and it was very calm and peaceful during the monsoons. This temple is the most religious place the city due to its original mythological story.

We just missed the festival, where Devi (Goddesses) is taken out in her full grace in and around the city.

Lakes:

The main lake here is the Naini Lake; the two ends are Malli and Thalli taal. Boat ride in the silent lake is an experience in itself. Other taals or lakes are Bhimtal, Naukuchiatal, Khurpatal, and Sattal. I could not manage to visit Naukuchiya Taal. Out of all the taals, I loved Sattal. Originally a cluster of seven lakes, now reduced to five (since two have dried up).We took a boat ride over there and all we could see was green and hear natural sounds of water insects. The lake was as deep as ninety feet. It was soothing to the eye and spirit. This place was breathtaking!
A large part of Sat Tal is really the estate of the Methodist Church. Late Rev. Stanley Jones has founded an ashram and holds camp for young people every year.

Khurpa Tal is situated at an altitude of 1635 mts and twelve kms away from Nainital main city. It is considered to be paradise having clear water and a good harvest of fishes.

Uttarakhund government is very strict about this natural beauty and hardly have they allowed any movie shoots’ or restaurants’ or hotels’ to come up apart from the Hindi movies ‘Khoon Bhari Mang’. Amongst the hotels, the lucky ones were the Holiday Inn, Pine Crest and hotel Sattal. You will find all local stalls for food though.

We did not have the luck to visit the ‘Naukuchiya’ Taal. It is believed that if you can manage to see all the nine corners of the Taal then you will be bestowed with enormous amount of wealth. Poor me, I did not have the option to even see the lake.

Mall Road:

It is main market area of the city and a cool place to hang out. The road surrounds the Naini Lake, which looks mystical in the evening, and boat ride adds to the over all experience. Eating joints, craft materials and candles are tourist’s attraction over here. The tree barks and its fruits are used for craft work over here. Animal and human faces are common type of art work. The prices are a little expensive as compared to other areas of the city but for Bangloreans it works out still cheaper.

One of the important things to keep in mind was the traffic rules in the Mall Road. Entry of heavy traffic is prohibited during the months of May, June and October from 8 AM to 10.30 AM and 2.30 PM to 10.30 PM , personal vehicles are also restricted from 6.00 PM to 10.00 PM and cycle rickshaw from 6.00 PM to 9.00 PM.

Botanical Garden:

This garden is an Uttarakhund Gov initiative for growing Ayurvedic medicines and spas. The garden covers entire range of a mountain and is maintained in its natural environment. They have in-house botanical experts to take you through the terrine. The trip to botanical garden was orchestrated by an expert named ‘Arvind’. He showed us the place and informed about the medicinal plants and Ayurveda. We could taste some peculiar seeds, which causes a different sensation in your mouth as if your tongue is dancing on the tunes of the coco chirps over there..

The mountains are covered with locally known ‘Banjh’ trees. What makes them interesting is their capacity to withhold water during the rainy season and release it during summers to keep the temperature cool. Other important trees are seer, Pine etc. Chilmora; which is effective in scorpion bites.

Zoo

Though, I never like the idea of keeping animals in captivity. I feel wild life sanctuaries are much better. The zoo is well maintained with proper signages and some exotic animals. It might be a little difficult for an old person due its steep uphill. While I was thinking about the contour, I was amazed by the teenage boy who was caring some heaps of wood and delivering it to the top of the hill. In the world of cranes and technology we are still dependent upon manual labors! I must agree that from this height the city view was awesome.

Cave Garden

It was drizzling when we reached Cave gardens. These were natural caves and some of the then were really to narrow and going down below was really difficult. 

China Point

This is the highest point in Nainital. Also know as Naina Peek is a place to view panoramic giant Himalayas and Nainital valley. It was not quite visible during September, but I could imagine the snow covered Himalayas must be magnificent.

Hanuman Garhi: Situated at a height of 1951 meters, Hanuman Temple is the best place to spot the peeks and sun set views. Close to the temple is an observatory. Night view of the moon from the observatory should not be missed. 

I felt like spending some more time to this calm and quite place. Overall this trip was very good break from the city life with beauty, fresh air and lovely people.

October 17, 2008
Chicago

Don’t Make Me Think:
The Discount Usability Testing Workshop

Learn how to dramatically improve your
Web site by watching people use it

http://www.sensible.com/workshops.html

‘Ubiquity’ is a Mozilla Lab experiment to do common web tasks more quickly. It enables user generated mashups in email that takes advantage of the language and open API. It facilitates language translation, map incorporation and adding reviews into your e mail content. Also, allows micro formatting of the map links together.

For more info visit

http://labs.mozilla.com/2008/08/introducing-ubiquity

Arab Institute, Paris

The building is designed by the French Architect, Jean Nouvel, known for wildly diverse projects.

He also received architecture’s top honor, the Pritzker Prize for this Architectural master piece.This pattern provides a nice interplay of light and shadow into the corridor.

Aquatic Center, China

The National Aquatic Center was inaugurated on 28, 2008 in Beijing, China with a capacity of 17000.It is spread around 65,000 square feet to host the Olympics this year. Designed by Australia’s PTW Architects, engineering firm Arup, and China State Construction Design International, the Water Cube has a structural system of “two layers of a high-performance plastic film called ethylene tetrafluoroethylene or ETFE.”

National Stadium, China

The 91,000 seat National Stadium is the pride and joy of the games. The structure stands on enormous twisted beams around the exterior similar to a nest. The designing team studied some countless natural nests for understanding the weaving pattern of the threads. Some hundreds of models were created for the design.

London City Hall, London

Designed by Sir Norman Foster and was opened in July 2002.Located on the banks of Thames near Tower Bridge. The unusual shape improves its energy efficiency by reducing the surface area. The building has been compared to egg, onion, motorcycle helmet etc.The building draws its shape from the sphere.

Re Office Building, London

Again designed by Sir Norman Foster and takes its iconography from a gherkin.

The skin itself forms the structure. Madelon Vriesendorp analyzes the metaphors that the building could provoke such as rocket, screw, bullet, finger, pineapple, Russian puppet etc.

Elephant House at Copenhagen Zoo

The Elephant House is Foster + Partners’ first zoological building and takes its shape following a detailed study on the behavior patterns of Elephants. This new Elephant House provides these magnificent animals with a stimulating environment, including easily accessible spaces for the public to enjoy them, and restores the visual relationship between the zoo and the park.

The building is planned around two separate spaces enclosed with lightweight, glazed domes to provide natural light and openness. The glazed domes have opening windows to allow natural ventilation and there is a heat recovery system – further enhancing the environmental efficiency of the scheme.

The Philosophy behind the designs are marvelous, the team is always been guided by a belief that the “quality of our surroundings has a direct influence on the quality of our lives, whether that is in the workplace, at home or in the public realm”.

I could not wait to read this book and got it straight from US, the moment this book was launched. The book’s author is Rohit Bhargava and it is forwarded by Guy Kawasaki, who brags on the book’s what, how and why of brand personality. This book is all about how to use ‘personality’ as a key differentiators in marketing your company or product.

The author’s unique way of blending the theory and the examples makes the book a great experience for the readers, even when they are not from the Business or Marketing background.The book covers vital examples from the industry about how personality shaped up the famous brands in the market place.

There are six chapters in part one. The second part is all about the techniques, guide and tools that are helpful in building a brand’s personality.The book makes a very powerful portfolio that the employees of a company are their strongest asset. It talks about the five types of spokespeople for your brand. I personally agree with the UAT filter: Unique, Authentic and Talkable.

This book is highly recommended for Entrepreneurs, Product Evangelists, Marketing Folks or anybody who is interested to know more about the role ‘personality’ plays in engaging the customers and the market today.