Agenda
- First hour: Presentation by Nazmul Idris (ex-Googler, Android Team) now founder of TRNQL on the growing importance of creating “contextually aware” mobile applications. Naz and team will stay for the full session and answer any questions that you might have.
- Second hour: Javier and Malcolm talk about lessons learned in scaling a project up and being ready to work with a contractor when warranted
Background information
We have discussed how to build sensor prototypes and gather data from them. In this class Naz will explain how fast & easy it can be for iOS and Android Developers (and those aspiring to be) to integrate sensor data, data from storage on your smartphone, and a multitude of webservices into mobile applications to make them smarter and “contextually aware”.
Javier will discuss scaling up projects as part of his research and Malcolm will discuss how to effectively communicate and work with an external contractor.
Reading / Tech
- Have a look at Have a look at TRNQL for more information on building contextually aware apps. You will read more about how to add user-activity recognition, location, and environmental data into any iOS and Android application using the TRNQL SDK. Naz will also explain how you can join the TRNQL “code competition” to create cool contextual apps.
Notes
TRNQL
Naz provided his slides, and some additional links regarding UXD:
Malcolm / Consulting
Design: Problem definition is key and not usually well thought out.
What’s the behavior?
- Signal
- Buttons
- Interfaces
E.g. A simple button
- What’s its size? How does that impact where it can go?
- How much does it cost?
- How does it change the enclosure
Freezing the design
- Control Feature Creep
- How to scope accurately
- Consultant guide
What type of consultant
- A product can be divided into several key components
- Shippign
- Look and feel
- Electronics
- Program
Solution Advice
- A continuum from off-the-shelf to custom
- OTS
- Modified (usually for packaging)
- Custom
Research Projects: Tend to minimize aesthetics and focus on function
Searching for consultants
- Resume search
- Recomendations are better
- Be careful about experience, especially for projects in emerging regions
Be careful of contract types
- Fixed bid
- Fixed big + time and Materials
- Time and Materials
Negotiation
- Rates can be negotiated using the contract types as well an Engineer
- may be willing to do fixed bid work that has a well defined scope over
- time and materials work that has a bit more overhead.
Client
- Give a W9 form to your consultant to register with the IRS what you are paying them
-
$600 implies an IRS 1099 form
- University handles W9s and 1099s