Getting the Most out of Mobile By Robert

Getting the Most out of Mobile By Robert Warchocki

Mobile Apps � Mobile devices, like smartphones and tablets, have an operating system (O/S) just like PCs, Servers, and Laptops. The O/S is referred to as a mobile operating system. ◦ ◦ �A Android Black. Berry i. OS Windows Phone mobile O/S is not the same one MS Windows, OS X, or Linux.

Mobile Apps �A mobile app is software designed to run on a mobile O/S. � Generally, one gets mobile apps from the owner of the mobile O/S, for example, i. Tunes Store, Google Play, Windows Phone Store, etc. � One installs a mobile app to a mobile device much like you do with a PC. � Each mobile app performs some set of functionality – games, weather info, locations, social media, etc. – but specially designed for use on mobile devices and their features and limitations.

Mobile Web �A web browser for a mobile device is actually a mobile app. ◦ ◦ Chrome Firefox for mobile IE mobile Safari � Mobile browsers are not the exact same ones as on PCs. � Mobile web means accessing a website via a mobile device’s mobile web browser.

Mobile Apps vs Mobile Web � The Centricty 2 Mobile App is not a mobile web browser. � The C 2 Mobile App is a mobile application written to gather information from a C 2 website and provide the content in a mobile device-friendly way (small screens, touch, etc. ). ◦ You can’t visit other websites with the C 2 Mobile App.

Mobile Options � Every district has a mobile presence ◦ Google Analytics ◦ However, the viewing experience will vary greatly depending on which option(s) you have � Centricity 2 ◦ ◦ Options Content Modification w/in current template Web App $ Mobile App $$ Responsive Web Design $$$ �Template Subscription Library (My Way Premium) �Custom Design (Ruby/Sapphire)

Content Modification � Tip 1: Remove any flash elements � Tip 2: Images ◦ Limit images - page information should be concise and clutter free ◦ Scale down images for faster page load ◦ Test background images for view ability � Tip 3: Fonts – Use larger font sizes and avoid “fancy” fonts � Tip 4: Include area code to make phone numbers clickable

Content Modification � Tip ◦ ◦ 5: Hyperlinks Links can be hard to click on a mobile device Think about providing buttons for the end user Identify your link destination and/or file formats Limit the amount of links and make sure they are large enough and spaced properly

Content Modification � Tip 6: Page Content Keep it simple, brief and to the point! Present content in a linear one column format Remove excess columns, floats, and frames Critical information should be above the “fold” (much smaller real estate) ◦ Provide “escape routes” to return to key content. ◦ Do not use blue/purple text (may be confused with hyperlinks) ◦ ◦

Content Modification � Tip 7: Tables � Tip 8: Non-Text Items ◦ Do not use nested tables ◦ If tables are necessary, do not fix the width, use percentages instead ◦ Make page readable in text only mode (ex: type out School Closed rather than use an image) ◦ Avoid using scripting, embedded objects, applets etc.

Content Modification � Tip 9: Test, test… ◦ Check out your site on a number of devices. Never assume your site looks great or works well across multiple platforms and devices, because it probably doesn’t

Web App � No need for users to download an app to their phone � Give smartphone users easy access to your district website ◦ Will see smartphone view by default � Offers standard themes or custom theme to match the look of your website � Example: Allegany-Limestone Central Schools ◦ Demo to group – project smartphone

Smartphone App � Easily downloaded from i. Tunes and Google Play app stores � Lets you use apps you’ve already set up in Centricity 2™ on your smartphone � Lets content editors add, edit and publish content to your website using their smartphone � Example: South Fayette

Responsive Web Design � RWD lets you build one website that displays well on a majority of browsers and a majority of mobile devices, including smartphones and tablets � RWD detects the resolution of the device it’s being served on and scales the design and content to fit neatly within the browser on the screen