Strengths and weaknesses of apps
Strengths of Instagram app
The strengths of the Instagram App is that Instagram has a huge number of users, it has a wide audience range including young people and business. Instagram enables a very quick and easy to method to post photos/videos, it is easy to scroll through posts of people you have followed and an has an easy navigation menu. Users can also communicate with each other with the direct message feature within the app.
Weakness of Instagram app
The weakness of Instagram is that it will always require an internet connection and anyone can post material that inappropriate for the app. Instagram does not detect such material unless someone reports it and within that the post is visible to a large audience. The app can also be time consuming and young users can be addicted to the app scrolling through feeds. Instagram is only made compatible with iOS and Android Devices. Instagram users only upload the positive stuff, lowering others self-esteem and image theft possibility.
Improvements
A system where Inappropriate material and comments uploaded are automatically detected and flagged immediately or within a very short timeframe.
Strengths of YouTube app
YouTube is the most popular choice for people searching for Videos. YouTube has an is easy to use visual layout to search for videos and allows you to get notifications from people you have subscribed to. YouTube also allows you to look at what is currently trending and has an easy navi-gation. Another great feature within YouTube is that playlists can be automatically created depending on searched content.
Weakness of YouTube app
YouTube requires a fast internet connection to use the app due to the video content. YouTube relies heavily on advertisement revenue, and these adverts are increasingly interrupting video playback on the widely used free version of YouTube, which can be very annoying to users. The free version of YouTube does not enable users to use the app outside of the YouTube app/lock screen.
Improvements
To allow a feature to listen to audio outside of the YouTube app. Less advertising during playback of a video.
Career Apps Review
I viewed an app called LinkedIn which is nicely designed, simple and easy to use. When I searched Media in the search box, it showed suggestions of media with wide range of results such as Social Media, Social Media Marketing, Digital Media, Media Relations, Media Specialists, Media Planning, Media Production and Media Buying. On LinkedIn, you can upload your own videos you have created to showcase your work. It is also simple to create an account as you only need an email address and password. LinkedIn prompts the user to complete their profile until it is 100% complete. This is an advantage as it delivers the best experience for the user. LinkedIn is highly used by recruiters to hire employees. The disadvantages are that the colour scheme is simple and could be more vibrant and colourful. There is high positivity of exposure to spam. They could improve the colour scheme to make it more vibrant and include video clips on the website. The mobile app is also easy to use as it has a box to search what kind of job you would like and another box for the location of the job. They can improve the app by adding a dark mode to the app to make it easier on the eyes.
Indeed
I viewed another app called Indeed which is simple and easy to navigate. When the user starts the app, it prompts them to sign in or they can choose to skip the sign in and continue using the app. When the user taps on ‘Search for job title’ It will show two search boxes, first one to search for the job title (e.g. Media) and the second one to search for the location of the job (e.g. Greater London). It has a list of recent searches, containing what the user has searched for recently and shows how many new jobs there are now available since the last search (e.g. 9 new jobs in Greater London).
Totaljobs
I reviewed an app called Totaljobs and found that it was a simple app to use. When the user starts the app it prompts them to Log In or Sign Up but there is an option to sign in later and continue using the app. The next page shows a search box asking ‘What job are you looking for?’ where users can type their job title or company. When users search for a job (e.g. Media) it will show how many jobs are available (e.g. 847 jobs found). The next page will ask the user where you want to work and they can give a town, area or postcode and there is a drop down menu with suggestions of popular cities. When a user selects a city (e.g. London) it reduces the amounts of jobs (e.g. 287 jobs found) which means that’s how many jobs are in the area. The next page will prompt an email address but the user has an option to skip the process and begin searching for jobs.