I hate Yahoo!

I hate Yahoo. I hate Yahoo and it has nothing to with their products. Its coz of their ad banners. Its irritating.

I'm talking about this irritating ad banner format that takes over the entire webpage on mouse over. And most cases its on top of the page and my mouse pointer invariably hovers it and the irritating banner covers the screen. It happens every time i move my mouse towards the address bar.

I also know that Yahoo has probably nothing to do with this irritating ad format. But as a user I see the brand that is irritating me. And thats Yahoo.

I understand the importance of ad monetization on web and the importance of making the user notice the ad and also to make him/her engaged with the brand. But this kind of forced engagement is absolutely not appreciated. Instead it back fires. Any brand that spoils the user experience is at the risk of being hated.

Next time you decide to advertise on web or mobile make sure you dont come as a usability bummer. Else you are in trouble.

I hate Yahoo.

What difference does an app make?

Is it Facebook web or app you are using?

I asked my wife, one of my focus group users, when she was busy facebooking something on her windows mobile phone.

Web. But what difference does that make?

Very good question I thought. I immediately checked facebook on my android browser and I didnt think i missed anything. Ya ok just one thing, I cant upload a picture. Other than that the web app worked exactly like the native app... well better than that.

So whats this app hullabaloo?

I dont know. I can understand a utility app which extensively uses the phone's native features and its need to run in the background etc, or a game that is animation heavy being an app. I can also understand a big brand ticking off its "namesake presence" on app stores.

Services that dont fall into the above 2 categories, what you need is a good web app (read html5) which is easier to make and maintain, which also ensures cross browser compatibility.

On my desktop comp, Google chrome is the only app i use (other than adobe photoshop) for all my needs. There is an operating system getting ready in Google which wholly depends on the web app idea. Then why is it different on a phone?

OK may be its just a matter of time. I strongly believe that this phase will pass and web will win eventually.

All you internet services out there, what you need to do is to get a mobile web app done well and not run behind apps to be future proof. App are just a fad and it will fade. Web apps will make your product usable in any smartphone out there. Oh ok not Windows Phone 7 for now but it is getting a better browser soon. It should otherwise the phone has no future. Are you worried about the camera access and photo upload feature? Its coming. I truly appreciate Cleartrip in taking this bold decision of the mobile web app direction. Is bookmyshow listening?

The first thing i'm going to do now is to uninstall all the apps from my phone that has a web presence and free up some space.