Idle Screen Mobile Search: Nokia and Google mobile search client for S60 devices
So, I saw on my twitter feed that a couple of people in the blogosphere had downloaded the S60 Google Search client. I then read a review on All About Symbian and thought as the previous Mobile Search Analyst it was my turn.
Yikes. My immediate reaction to the Google S60 Client is “gosh it is incredibly ugly for an idle screen application”.
Then, I am really embarrassed to say this but click pencil to open? I had no idea what to do. This is where UIQ style navigation would help. It should be standard on all on device applications. It’s vital that users know exactly what to click to run applications when the download is complete.
But after about 1 minute, the curser moved and this huge white Google box appeared.
Now, I understand about branding –but is it necessary to brandish the box so enormously on the idle screen. On mobile devices small is better as the screen is full of applications and idle screen downloads and images that I want to also maintain control of.
But when you put style out of the equation what do you get?
Well, um, you get classic Google. You get what you get when you click on to WAP or use your bookmark to go straight to Google. It’s just Google.
I don’t sound too impressed?
No. It’s good, if you have a high end device. If you have a pencil icon, if that is what you want. It took about 1 minute to download.
But it’s nothing new or spectacular or nothing that my Nokia device doesn’t already provide via Nokia’s idle screen.
Now I have to say I am not a fan of the Nokia Mobile Content search either. (See below from an article printed earlier this year)
Original search box Navigation Results
The new Nokia on-device search opens when any button is pressed. A large search box appears at the bottom of the screen, embedded in the device, not as shown above and the colours have been refreshed and the search box is black, all to match the new Nokia carousel user interface. The results appear as shown above, but within the new Nokia user interface which takes up the whole screen.
On top of that Nokia Mobile Search is nothing to do with Mobile or Search. Its lots of different search boxes sitting within an application. Nokia should have the balls to move to a universal search box and index content from all of its providers because going in and out of a search application for different results on a mobile is a pain and also a hindrance. I think if Nokia is going to be an Internet company this has to be on the agenda as without it Ovi’s door will remain closed.
But, back to Google.
So what is the problem?
The problem is that the idle screen is enormous real estate on a mobile device. It needs to be used to the best possible means. This is the only way to make sure not only “us geeks” use new applications.
But I have said this time and time again and I will say it again –
Mobile application providers and vendors need to look at the mobile idle screen as a shop window. Just like how high street brands such as Top Shop spends millions on getting the shop window right. The focus on idle screen applications must be on creating a killer sexy visual design that makes users want to use services or new applications.
This is missing from mobile at the moment. On top of that, as a believer that mobile needs to be different than online – the idle screen Yahoo! app on my 3 X Series is much simpler and easier and nicer to use and look at. It still can be improved but at least its small and the results are made for mobile.
Rating: Guuggly
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