Once in a while I redesign a user interface simply to explore what it might be like for a company to make a few changes. After a few frustrating moments on the Fandango web site, I decided to create ‘million dollar buttons.’ I call them million dollar buttons because I have a hunch that if Fandango were to make these changes to their movie times page, they’d make an extra million bucks.
I’m sure a graphic designer could make much nicer looking buttons. But, my point is that users would have an improved user experience, and they would be more likely to click through to purchase tickets. Jared Spool and Luke Wroblewski have written about the $300 Million Button, and it still amazes me how small design changes could have a big impact.
Please share your thoughts on these design changes.
epicurious.com video where Eben Freeman provides instruction for a nice summer cocktail.
Perhaps all UX professionals should think of themselves as mixologists, combining the right tools and technical ingredients to get the right outcome for the right person.
In May, one of the most under-appreciated company blogs @ComcastVoices published this video of the xfinity myRemote prototype. This is a very impressive prototype and an excellent example of a major corporation giving a sneek peek at a beta product. Many people missed this point…
It’s a Web App
Amid the ridicule in comments on YouTube, @ComcastVoices mentioned “It is browser based, so long as your laptop is running a compatible browser Xfinity Remote should work” and “The Xfinity Remote will work on both the iPod Touch and iPhone. In fact it’ll work on any device that is IP enabled and running a compatible browser.” Scott McNulty @blankbaby mentioned “…this Xfinity Remote shown here is browser based, so when it is available it should work on your DROID, iPhone, or other smartphone with a compatible browser.”
I took the liberty of highlighting a few items above to focus on two points:
The myRemote web app will run just about anywhere, not just on an iPad.
Hand-held mobile devices will function as a remote control.
Mental Models
When people saw the video on YouTube, they commented and reacted in a really interesting way. They took their mental models of the current TV remote control and openly criticized Comcast. Since they haven’t actually used anything like the myRemote on iPad before, they relied upon their history of experience and made some uninformed comments. They just couldn’t see themselves using a device the size of the iPad during their TV-watching experience.
Some of the supporting comments were from people who could easily see themselves using an iPad to control the TV experience and interact with friends. Several people asked when the myRemote system would be available. @ComcastVoices has yet to answer.
My Desires
I’m looking forward to the release of myRemote. Since I often watch TV with a laptop, it would be great to have another method of controlling my media player/cable box. While I’m having conversations on Twitter or via IM, I could exchange thoughts and possibly change the way I work. I view the iPad as a device that might be perfect for my living room.
My guess is that Comcast is close to launching the myRemote (if it hasn’t been released already– they do limited roll-outs). It will be a great experience on the iPad. However, I’d love to see Roberts demo it on an iPhone or DROID.
