Friday, December 3, 2010

Announcing enhanced mobile ‘Virtual Branch’ websites

Announcing enhanced mobile ‘Virtual Branch’ websites: From the Overdrive Blog: "

OverDrive is excited to announce that we’ve updated the mobile versions of our library partners’ ‘Virtual Branch’ websites. This new design features an enhanced interface that makes navigating each website easier and more efficient. The mobile websites now also detect a user’s operating system, so it customizes the “browse, check out, download” process for each device.



How does it work? Let’s say an Android user visits your library’s ‘Virtual Branch’ website in the device’s mobile browser. He or she will be greeted with a title-rich homepage that only displays content in formats compatible with Android. The streamlined interface features a prominent “Search” bar that allows the user to starting looking for titles immediately. If the user wants to thumb through the collection, all he or she needs to do is click on the “Browse” button at the top of the page. The user will then be directed to an easy-to-navigate subject list.


Whether the user searches or browses, the new “Results” page enables him or her to quickly add a title to a “Cart” or “Join Waiting List”. Tabs at the top of the page also allow the user to sort by “Title,” “Creator,” “Popularity,” or “Date Added”.



And remember, the titles the user sees on the mobile version of your ‘Virtual Branch’ website are in formats compatible with the device. Today, an Android user can only see MP3 Audiobooks. When the Android app with eBook support is released, we’ll automatically upgrade the site to also display EPUB eBooks. Likewise, iPhone, Blackberry, or Windows Phone users will only see formats compatible with their respective devices.


With the iPhone and Android eBook apps coming out in December, the redesigned mobile websites ensure that your library customers will have the best user experience when they download directly to their devices.


Check out the new mobile version of your ‘Virtual Branch’ on your smartphone today and let us know what you think.


Dan Stasiewski is a marketing associate for OverDrive.


"

No comments:

Post a Comment