Google’s definition of mobile users by Jonas

Future of web design hall and logo

Was at the Future of web design on wednesday and really enjoyed it. Listening to, amongst others, Ryan Freitas talk about how Plazes found its core function when designing the SMS service.

Due to the constraints of an SMS message, they had to remove all the frills and just focus on what the service is about. Result: deciding where you are and where you’re friends are. Right now.

With that in mind I thought it was interesting to read about Googles definition of mobile users and how they have segmented the users. Their main definition:

Understanding users, anywhere, anytime

Dividing the users into three groups.

The “repetitive now” user is someone checking for the same piece of information over and over again, like checking the same stock quotes or weather. Google uses cookies to help cater to mobile users who check and recheck the same data points.

The “bored now” are users who have time on their hands. People on trains or waiting in airports or sitting in cafes. Mobile users in this behavior group look a lot more like casual Web surfers, but mobile phones don’t offer the robust user input of a desktop, so the applications have to be tailored.

The “urgent now” is a request to find something specific fast, like the location of a bakery or directions to the airport. Since a lot of these questions are location-aware, Google tries to build location into the mobile versions of these queries.

[tags]Mobile, interface, google, fowd, plazes, Adaptive path[/tags]

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April 19, 2007 / 3 Comments.

3 Comments

  1. links for 2007-04-20 at Framtider.net replied:

    […] Google’s definition of mobile users “# Repetitive now” “# Bored now” “# Urgent now” (tags: google fowa mobilitet labkloud9) […]

    April 20th, 2007 at 11:17 pm. Permalink.

  2. SEO Miami replied:

    very good information, guidance for the new user, thanks!

    December 13th, 2009 at 6:22 pm. Permalink.

  3. fajerwerki replied:

    Very interesting blog, what template do you use ?

    December 16th, 2009 at 2:10 pm. Permalink.

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