VGCL Mobile Edition - Need Feedback

[Marriott_Guy]

Hello again all.

Since the feedback was so helpful the last time I asked, I was hoping again to tap into the collective on a Mobile version of my website.

The purpose of this edition would be to serve as a pocket console reference guide.  I am not using any java at all within the mobile version nor am opening any links in a new window\tab to ensure ease of navigation and low data\battery drain.  Large buttons are utilized to ensure that it is easy to navigate.   I am thinking I will add a very light gray color to the inside container of the console buttons to break up the white a bit.  The test pages....

The following page would be the main introduction and interface.  Clicking a tab would display the consoles for the respective decade.
http://www.videogameconso...rary.com/temp-m-index.htm

The Bally Professional Arcade (located under the 1970s tab) is my test console page.  The link is coded, but here is the direct web page:
http://www.videogameconso...com/temp-m-pg70-bally.htm

Access to this Mobile site would be located somewhere in the header of each page on my main website (I am not planning on using auto-detection to redirect visitors based on screen res).  My questions:

o Does the information display properly?
o Is the interface easy to navigate?
o Are the fonts used large enough and easy to read?
o Is the design intuitive?
o Would you recommend adding any more information to the console page?
o Are there any other suggestions to improve the overall design\navigation\functionality?
o What phone\device\browser are you using to test the pages?

For comparison sake, I have attached some compressed pictures of how I would like VGCL Mobile to display for the end user. 

As always, candid comments are always appreciated.  Thanks in advance all!!

Terry

[Duke.Togo]

I'll be sure to give this a look when I get home tonight. The idea seems really great.

[Marriott_Guy]

Thanks Duke for checking it out.  Looking forward to your thoughts.

[Crabmaster2000]

Loaded it up on my phone so I'll try to answer your questions best I can:

o Does the information display properly?

A: Yes

o Is the interface easy to navigate?

A:Very much so

o Are the fonts used large enough and easy to read?

A:Absolutely. I've been to several other mobile versions of my favorite sites and nearly always have to zoom in/out to find a readable/navigable size. You seem to have found a nice way to present things so that I can read the information easily and dont have to mess around with the screen too much to find links and additional info.

o Is the design intuitive?

A: I'm still very new and inexperienced with these kinds of devices and it seemed very obvious to me. I'd say its pretty great.

o Would you recommend adding any more information to the console page?

A:I can understand the idea of keeping it short and sweet for what most people will probably use your site for on a mobile device. Just make sure that if I need some extra info to make it easy and obvious to get to.

o Are there any other suggestions to improve the overall design\navigation\functionality?

Like I mentioned above, I'm still new to mobile devices. I found the pages to be attractive, well suited for a quick overview of the console, and easy to read and navigate. Nothing jumps out at me as "missing" right off the bat. I'll be sure to let you know if I think of something though.

[blcklblskt]

I love how you have a button for accessing the full site.  Sometimes its nice to be able to view the full site on the go.  I like the design of the mobile site as well.

[Marriott_Guy]

Thanks for the great feedback Crab!  A suggestion from one of my team members I believe reflects one of your comments:

"Just make sure that if I need some extra info to make it easy and obvious to get to."

Currently, the "View Full Website" just sends you to the main front page.  I think you may also be suggesting a button link be provided to go to the individual page for a particular console.

Let me know if this is accurate.

Thanks again!

Terry

[Marriott_Guy]

I love how you have a button for accessing the full site.  Sometimes its nice to be able to view the full site on the go.  I like the design of the mobile site as well.

Thanks bl!  Though not a programming guru, I tried to incorporate the suggestions from various internet sources to ensure that it is easy to navigate (i.e. don't let users scroll to a dead end, use buttons and not text links, etc.) while not taxing on bandwidth nor battery life of the mobile device.

Thanks bl for your thoughts!

Terry

[Marriott_Guy]

Based on the responses, I am adding a questions regarding the device being used to my initial inquiry.

[blcklblskt]

Based on the responses, I am adding a questions regarding the device being used to my initial inquiry.

I am using a Motorola Droid Bionic.  As for its web browser, I use Dolphin.

[Crabmaster2000]

Thanks for the great feedback Crab!  A suggestion from one of my team members I believe reflects one of your comments:

"Just make sure that if I need some extra info to make it easy and obvious to get to."

Currently, the "View Full Website" just sends you to the main front page.  I think you may also be suggesting a button link be provided to go to the individual page for a particular console.

Let me know if this is accurate.

Thanks again!

Terry

Yeah I was referring to a link that would give me the full run down on the console that I am currently viewing. Its really bothersome on a couple other sites I look at on my phone when I click full site and it bumps me back to the mainpage and out of whatever I was browsing at the time. That feature would be awesome.

The device I was on was a Samsung Galaxy w I think its called.

[Duke.Togo]

OK, I just tried it on my iPhone 3GS (I'll have a 4 in a week or so and can test again if necessary)

 Does the information display properly?

A: Yes, but I had to zoom in to get the page to be readable. It would be nice if it started at the width of the text box, but I have no idea if that is possible.

o Is the interface easy to navigate?

A: Yes, it seems really easy.

o Are the fonts used large enough and easy to read?

A: Once I zoomed the page to the proper width, everything was easy to read.

o Is the design intuitive?

A: Again, besides needing to zoom in each time, it made good sense to me.

o Would you recommend adding any more information to the console page?

A: It seems to cover the basics well enough. How about a rarity rating?

o Are there any other suggestions to improve the overall design\navigation\functionality?

A: Nothing that I can think of at the moment. Great job Terry!

[Marriott_Guy]

Duke - I am not sure what the "text box" is that I should target in changing the resolution of the page.  The page is currently set to display in percentages (images/table width).  My goal is to not have to make the user zoom at all (not sure if this is possible or not).  Can you provide a screen shot or elaborate so that I can modify to ensure easy navigation with out the need to perform any zooming?

Thanks Duke!

Terry

[Duke.Togo]

Here is what it looks like when I load the page (using Chrome):
[img width=320 height=480]http://i1023.photobucket.com/albums/af356/jackcrow2000/file-21.jpg[/img]

[Marriott_Guy]

Thanks Duke for the SS.  I am not sure why it is not stretching to fit the horizontal screen res.  Maybe if I remove the BG image and change it to a basic black color it might correctly fill the real estate without having to accommodate the BG image.  Just a thought - not sure if that is the reason all.

Any one else have any ideas on this?

Terry