DUOLABS
Work

Navigation port to a new platform

We moved a navigation service first released on one smartphone platform to another platform. It became the company's first navigation app on the new platform. Route guidance and route search follow the original service, rebuilt to fit the new platform's screen conventions and controls. Because it is used while driving, information had to read quickly on a small screen and controls had to stay simple. The work covered the project structure and screen foundation through the map, guidance, screen transitions, and input.

Launch
2011
Client
A navigation software company
Type
Vehicle & Navigation

01 / 04

A port that carried the original route-finding flow into the new platform's ways

After the navigation service launched on one smartphone platform, we moved the same service so it could be used on another. Route guidance and route search stayed the same as the original, while screen layout and controls were rebuilt to the new platform's conventions. It was not a matter of copying a feature list; the same route finding had to be rebuilt on a different set of screen rules.

A port that carried the original route-finding flow into the new platform's ways
02 / 04

Map, guidance, screen transitions, and input: the skeleton of a navigation app

We implemented the map display, route guidance, screen transitions, and user input a navigation app needs, directly on the new platform. Because this was the company's first navigation app on that platform, the project structure and screen foundation had to be built from scratch. The app lifecycle, memory management, and the platform's way of composing screens were also learned for the new platform through this work.

Map, guidance, screen transitions, and input: the skeleton of a navigation app
03 / 04

A small-screen layout reworked to be read at a glance while driving

A navigation app used while driving has to show information quickly and keep operation simple. Most of the effort went into balancing the map and guidance information on a small phone screen. The flow between screens was also kept short and simple.

A small-screen layout reworked to be read at a glance while driving
04 / 04

A first foundation that carried into the tablet edition and the next version

The project structure and screen foundation first set up on the new platform did not end with this one app. A version that also supports tablets, and a later new version, were developed on the same foundation. The tablet edition was a matter of widening this foundation to support a larger screen.

A first foundation that carried into the tablet edition and the next version

Highlights

01

The original service's route-finding flow, ported to fit a new platform

02

A first app foundation with the map, route guidance, screen transitions, and input

03

A driving layout that balances the map and guidance on a small phone screen

Insights

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