3. the situation.
During SXSW interactive 2010, mobile start-
up NearVerse launched LoKast, a proximity-
based iPhone app that allows users within a
300-foot radius to share content, discover
new music, and turn normal browsing into a
“shared” experience by letting users “tune”
into each other’s screen.
The system requires all participants to have
the app open at the same time, and be
connected to the same wifi network or have
bluetooth enabled.
4. the good.
Before, during and after the consumer
launch, LoKast received much praise from
the tech community, and was named the
“first disposable social network.”
5. the bad.
by diveguru911 - Version 1.0
Tech bloggers loved the application, the
technology and its implications, but those who
had NOT received the press release with
ʻhow to useʼ instructions were confused.
by Samtharam - Version 1.0
by Soccermex - Version 1.0
by Blessens2U - Version 1.0
7. Online Ecosystem
the discovery.
Through in-person usability tests
and exploring the online
ecosystem (blog comments,
twitter, facebook), we were able to
understand the userʼs problems
and concerns:
Usability Tests
This was the opening
screen, users didn’t
know where to start.
Buttons like LoKast and
NearVerse are not in their
vocabulary so why should
they click there?
“ ”
What do these
buttons mean?
“”
Browser??? Before sharing and
“”
Why would I
connecting to
need that? How do I
others, user must add friends?
turn on Bluetooth or
“”
connect to wifi, this
I hear you can was not obvious
sync live,
where do I go
to do that? Where’s the
free music?
8. the discovery.
Top 3 Problems
Which means...
No clue what the
app actually does
High Learning Curve
Connectivity Issues
How do I add friends? Unintuitive Navigation
Does it need an internet
connection?
I canʼt locate media
and files...
9. the fix.
+/- Add Media
Text
Battling the Curve.
Intro screen allows user to “Discover”
Lokast and get step-by-step help at
the start of their experience. Also
defines LoKast and NearVerse to Easy to Connect. Usability.
make headway into people’s
vocabulary. Through organizing the information
hierarchy, users are able to see that “Buttons are for Actions.”
This info is easily accessible through “Optimize Networks” is higher in
the info button. importance. By replacing words with buttons, users
understand link leads to an action.
Easily accessible info beats Optimizing Network is the Streamlining buttons eliminates
High Learning Curve. key to connectivity. confusion.
10. the results.
What amazed me is that it’s very easy to set up; I
someway expected it to be additional complex than
the little steps it took. It works with 3G, Bluetooth or
else Wi-Fi, so we don’t require any additional
enhancements to use it. The just glitch is that it works
just among LoKast users inside proximity of 300 feet
to every other.
Sharing things is extremely easy. All you
have to do is touch a person that you want
to share from. Once you select a person
from the list at the top you can then
browse their available files using the same
icons that you share files with. Opening
one up is as easy as touching it.
