Mobile Website vs. Mobile App, Which Do I Choose?
It’s common knowledge that web-enabled mobile devices have transformed the way we interact with technology and information. Today, more than ever, users are searching the Web, purchasing products and networking with their peers on smart phones and tablets. However, most businesses don’t prioritise creating a mobile presence to equal their Web presence. This represents a missed opportunity to harness the ever-growing mobile market. As more consumers wake up to the idea of mobile connectivity, businesses also need to evolve and adapt by providing a new connection to users with mobile communication needs. It’s time to give your website a mobile makeover. But the question remains; create a mobile website or a mobile application? Mobile website v mobile application The two most prevalent means of reaching consumers on mobile devices are mobile websites and mobile applications. Both apps and mobile websites can be accessed on a handheld device such as an iPhone, Android or Blackberry, however the similarities...
Top 5 Productivity iPad Apps for Web Designers
We all know that iPad apps can be a major distraction. But, believe it or not, there are thousands of apps that will help, not hinder your productivity. So we’ve undertaken the mammoth task of sifting through Apple’s catalogue of apps to bring you our top five applications for the web design and development niche that inspire, boost productivity and organise ideas. These apps are guaranteed to help you get the job done. iMockups The must-have mobile wireframing and mockupp app for your web, iPhone and iPad projects. Draft wireframes in one easy-to-use interface with intuitive functionality and a multitude of colour options, text styles, borders and backgrounds. Better still, iMockup allows you to export your work via email. Adobe Ideas 1.0 This app will become your digital sketchbook, allowing you to capture and explore your inspiration on the go with vector-based drawing tools, zoom control, brushes and layers. The ideal companion for the Adobe desktop suite, the app allows you to save your files as PDF, vector or raster file formats to edit in Illustrator or Photoshop later. Air Display Wish your scre...
QR Codes Decoded: What is a QR Code and Do I need it?
At Vivo Group, we've noticed a distinct technology trend emerging this year, one that is blurring the lines between our physical and online worlds, and evident in gamification, face recognition and NFC technology. It's called Augmented Reality, which describes how our real world is being enriched with the virtual; where the use of technology provides knowledge and tools to enhance the capacity of people to perform ‘real world’ tasks. One of the most widely used forms of augmented reality is evident in QR codes - which are connecting users to digital content when they’re away from their PC (but still have access to a smart phone). What is a QR code? A Quick Response (QR) code is a two-dimensional matrix code, designed to be read by a QR Reader application on an iPhone, Android or other camera-enabled smart phone. Once the image has been scanned, the software deciphers the encrypted information to activate a response in your device, such as opening email, sending an SMS or initia...
#Geekish 3: What is Flash?
Flash. Isn't that what streakers do on the cricket pitch mid-game? Well, yes, but we're referring to a vector animation software that facilities rich, interactive content including video, games, presentations and advertisements in multimedia design that just aren't possible with HTML alone. In fact, you've probably encountered it before. Ever seen an animated, online advertisement or played a game in your browser? That's Adobe Flash, and it has spawned a whole new generation of fast, interactive websites and mobile applications. Who uses Flash? Flash is predominantly used by professional website designers to create high quality and lightweight animations, images and layouts to increase the visual appeal and interactivity of a site. When is F...
Vivo Group offering free* social media strategies for selected clients
Times are changing, and Vivo Group are changing with them! We have found recently that more clients are realising the importance of social media, and requesting it alongside their online strategies and website development. As a result, we have broadened our scope at Vivo Group by offering social media marketing and strategies as one of our core services. To celebrate this exciting direction we would like to offer companies a three month FREE trial, valued at over $2,000.00, whereby Vivo Group creates and/or manages their social media presence. This would also include the creation of a custom Facebook and Twitter page in addition to a complete social media strategy. If you are (or know of) a company that could benefit from implementing and including social media as part of their ma...
#Geekish 2: What is a CMS?
People love to abbreviate, especially by turning a series of words into acronyms. Whether it be to to simplify sayings or to just generally sound smarter, many of these acronyms leave people confused. For example: “OMG! Did you see what happened to the CEO this morning? OJ spilt all over him. I LOL’d so hard! TGIF!!” I expect most people to understand, or at least decipher that message. But how about this one? “We use a CMS to manage our website’s content.” Whilst a simpler sentence, this is probably causing you more grief! What is a CMS and how can is be used? A content management system, otherwise affectionately known as a CMS, is used to simplify the management of websit...
An insight into Slap Sheen: The Game. #winning
Charlie Sheen started his career as a film star, and is looking at finishing it as a mentally ill media menace - is that #winning? For the past few weeks his interviews, outrageous quotes and web-series “Sheen’s Korner” have had us laughing at - not with - the highest paid television actor. Vivo Group wanted to join in the fun and capitalise on the hype, and so Slap Sheen was created. Slap Sheen is an online game with a basic goal; to slap Charlie Sheen. Set in a (not as-yet trashed) hotel room, littered with wads of cash and suspect white powder, players can try their hardest to slap some sense into Sheen. With Sheen saying his infamous catchphrases, you will be ‘bi-winning’ when you get to slap him here and slap him there (note: no...
An iPad 2-centric time
Apple fans of the world rejoice as a new member of the ever-expanding Apple family is welcomed to the world; the iPad 2. Whilst not as revolutionary as the original iPad, its successor has some new innovative features which make the iPad 2 more user friendly. Put simply, the iPad 2 is thinner, lighter and faster and boasts a front and rear camera. Apple officially launched the latest update to their mobile operating system, iOS 4.3, which operates the iPad 2, yesterday along with other features including a gyroscope (to give gaming and mapping applications a more 360-degree feel) and new iOS versions of the iMovie and Garage Band iLife applications. In regards to design, there is a magnetic cover which protects the screen and also doubles as a reader, video or keyboard...
#Geekish 1: What is a web strategy?
Some things in the technical world of web development just don’t make sense (what is Java, can I eat it?). As a result we are undertaking geekish tutorials; where ‘geek speak’ is translated into English, so everyone can understand. Class starts now, and the first lesson is: ‘What is a web strategy?’ In a digitally dominated world, launching any online media without a strategy can be likened to walking across the street blindfolded; risky and doesn’t often end well. Web strategies are often overlooked and underestimated, but are quintessential to a successful online presence. A web strategy provides direction for a company. There is no stock-standard format for a web strategy, however creating one can be as easy or complic...
Case Study: QWeekend Photo Competition
Vivo Group recently undertook a project to build the The Courier-Mail’s QWeekend 2011 Photography Competition website. Each week, QWeekend magazine is included in The Courier-Mail’s Saturday edition. Awarded Magazine of the Year in 2010, the full-colour glossy magazine focuses on the issues and people of Queensland - and boy, there has been no shortage of those lately! Each week QWeekend announces a different topic for the photography competition, photographs are to be submitted online... and this is the part where our services are needed to enable easy submissions and simple management. We were asked to develop a site where users can easily submit their photographs to be judged in the competition, and where submissions can be easily managed by The Cour...
