Mobile typography: Nokia Sans

 a look at Erik Spiekermann's typeface for Nokia

"Well, like all letters, the important thing is that you don’t actually design the black, you design the white: the space inside it and the space around it." - Spiekermann on screen fonts (PingMag 2005)

Samsung GT-S5610 handset quick review

Arriving to our quick test bench is the Samsung GT-S5610. This feature handset packs social media apps pre-installed, a decent five megapixel camera and some sleek looks. Before even jumping into the review though, we must warn you: PhoneSplurt was unable to access most of the apps that have features requiring online connection. This was due to a mysterious problem in the unit that wouldn't allow internet connection albeit it showed full connection speeds were attainable.

Ubuntu Edge: top-end smartphone with crowdfunding

Is there room in the future for cutting-edge technology that gets its funding from individuals willing to donate?
The answer might again be at hand when the Ubuntu Edge -project will reach its funding deadline on Indiegogo within 30 days of time as of today.

The Moto X flick switch

 

The Motorola Moto X probably needs no introduction at this point in time. The upcoming smartphone that's been developed by Motorola and Google closely together is to be announced 1st of August. Until then the rumor mill rides on with some reinforcements we read about recently.

The hype machines

At the PhoneSplurt HQ we have some very talented illustrators working and this is what we found laying around on their computers. After all, we always check what our employees are up to every week.

Video: Android design principles presentation

Google's I/O event this year hosted many interesting lectures, especially the one linked above. In the video, designers Helena Roeber and Rachel Garb discuss what are Android's design principles, what they mean in practice and where they originate from. The video is a fascinating peek at the methods these driven people use to achieve new standards in creating good user experiences.

PhoneSplurt already has already discussed Android's design principles alongside some of Google's competitors in this post.

Video: LWUIT webinar on building an effective UI

Earlier this spring, Nokia introduced the new Asha 501 to "reinvent the affordable smartphone category". It is a very interesting phone we must say, possibly it is at the forefront of a trend that places phones with lesser spec sheets back into focus for consumers.

Nokia Series 40 Full Touch Design Guidelines

Following our last couple of posts about user experience and user interface design, PhoneSplurt dug even deeper. What we found out is something helpful and relevant even today, from the Nokia Series 40 Full Touch Design Guidelines page.

Nokia N9 UX Guidelines

PhoneSplurt just recently discovered this interesting website aimed at developers for the Nokia N9. The handset in question is undoubtedly one of our favorites when considering both hardware and software design.

Visual design principles according to mobile manufacturers

Following our last night's post about iOS, PhoneSplurt delved deeper into the software visual design ideals of different mobile handset companies. Below are a few fruitful links we found!

A few thoughts on the new iOS icons

Apple recently announced the new iOS 7 which features, among a slew of actual features that change the usability of the device, a new visual style for the graphical user interface. Rumors about this change had been floating around the internet for a while before the WWDC event took place.

Many people have praised this so-called "shift" to a flatter look in the interface, saying things such as "It was about time". This blog post by Steve Rose is safely mocking the old style and the new style with keeping his distance to both. These times certainly are uncertain so that is probably smart.