As a group we discussed various issues within our most used apps as well as the characteristics and features we liked as a group within our favourite apps. Our main area of focus was evaluating social media apps such as; Snapchat, TikTok, Whatsapp, Instagram, Shazam and Facebook.
In particular we discussed current trends and updates that establish new features within our apps, especially when using an iPhone. Personally when reflecting on our ideas we began to form a theme of the various Apple updates as features could share across different devices. This included how Apple continue to adapt and produce new innovative features on the iPhone by using their multiple platforms so sharing and communicating between individuals or companies/businesses is quicker and simpler by introducing actions for specific apps. For example we believed the new feature ‘Name Drop’ is a smart and more efficient way to share contact information quickly. iPhone users just needed to hold their phone near another iPhone to share their contact info. By simply tapping your contact information you can personally choose what you want to share by then tapping ‘Share’.
As a group we liked the aspect of being able to decline or accept new contacts as it added a layer of protection and security to ensure not everyone can receive your contact information. Other iPhone user experiences we appreciated were; Airdrop, Apple Pay, Family Sharing, Auto-Fill passwords, Apple CarPlay.
On the other hand, as a group we evaluated negative or bad features which apps have recently introduced as we felt that some aspects were unnecessary for particular apps. This was illustrated through Snapchat introducing AI by having an ‘AI Bot’ which appeared at the top of everyones page when on ‘Chats’. Overall we agreed that this feature was unnecessary as nobody used it and instead we discussed how it gets in the ways of our actions when on Snapchats ‘Chats’ page and we would rather not have it as it isn’t used.
This workshop was a great opener when meeting my new peers as we communicated with one another to discuss the positive, negative and possible improvements that can be made with apps or even specific app features. We evaluated on one another’s ideas for improvements as well as sharing our thoughts on what we agreed/disagreed with when relating to current app updates.
Group members: George Sims, Hanley Whelpton, Sihina Liyanage, Dom Tizzard and Fergus Crowie
