iPhone Unified Alerts Project - 1

Objective

To create a simple consolidated view for alerts and messaging on the iPhone lock screen

Description

The iPhone is a revolutionary device. It has a splendid user interface and user experience model. It is the probably the smartest phone with the best app store and user base. Over the last 3 year Apple has created and innovated the iOS platform into a solid, productive environment for designers and developers alike.

But in my opinion I did notice that the system has a limitation in terms of messaging and alerts. Today they work by means of badge alerts and dismissible alert prompts. Remember the times when you phone is sitting on your desk and you went into a meeting and got back just to see if someone called or if you’ve received any alerts or mails and you hit the lock button?

Today if you’ve received a series of calls or voice mails, you get a list on your lock screen.

If you’ve received a series of calendar alerts, they show up in chronological order, one at a time.

If you’ve received any emails, badge alerts, etc; You will have to unlock to view.

What I’m trying to address is a common consolidated messaging system that shows up on the lock screen, that shows you a list of recent events that have occurred when you were away from your phone.

Main features

1 - Unified alerts/messaging affordance on lock screen

2 - System settings panel for configuring unified alerts/messaging

Disclaimer : I am doing this purely for my own pleasure! I do not work for Apple Inc. I do not work for any employee of Apple Inc. If Apple is developing something similar to this under wraps, at-least I share the same thought process with Apple designers! :) I’m a big time apple Fanboy! :)

Over the next few days I'm going to be working on conceptualizing and designing the interaction and work-flow model required to illustrate an Unified Alert System for the Apple iOS platform.

Version 1

I've created some high level flow charts that I will use to wireframe my design. There are 3 major scenarios that I will consider for my design.

• The iPhone in locked state
• When in an application
• When a call is in progress

Scenario 1
This is my primary use case and the driving point for my project.
Scenario 2
When you are using an application and you get an alert.
Scenario 3
When a call is in progress and you receive an alert.

So now that I have the main scenarios sketched out, I'm going to start creating wire-frames. Check back soon!