UI/UX Articles and Interesting Tidbits of the Week
November//1//2024
Here are some interesting finds on UI/UX of the week!
Following a brief break.
1.
Is AI a Big Selling Point for Smartphones. Very interesting reflection hailing from The Next Web (and authored by The Conversation), sparked by the release of Apple’s Intelligence (which is now part of their newest iPhone release). The reflection paints a picture that while AI has become a selling point to many organizations, its actual value in terms of return on investment is still somewhat obscure. Considering the investments that go into it, much of what the article sets in motion pertains to the eventual business value this tool will provide for organizations (its undisputed value for users is of course there). The topic is enveloped on the value that adds to the new smartphone devices, but the reflection transcends this aspect. Worth reading and reflecting. Highlight of the article includes:
“Before AI, the industry was trying to create hype around virtual reality and the Metaverse, an effort that probably peaked with the introduction of the Apple Vision Pro headset in 2023 (a product that incidentally was barely even mentioned in last week’s announcement). After the Metaverse failed to take off, tech companies needed something else to drive sales, and AI has become the new shiny thing. But it remains to be seen whether consumers will take to the AI-based features included in phones such as photo-editing and writing assistants. This is not to say that current AI is not useful. AI technologies are used in billion-dollar industry applications, in everything from online advertisement to healthcare and energy optimisation.”
2.
Pay Range Accuracy. Another great article from Glassdoor from author Luna Liu on the topic of pay range accuracy which has slowly been trickling into job postings. The article is a synthesis of a study performed by Glassdoor and emphasizes the fact that there’s still flexibility in salary transparency laws, which means that it can produce outcomes that can tilt in many directions. “Jobs may have additional levels of seniority that are not reflected in their titles.” It’s worth reading through the article and witness the progress that has been trickling in the job postings, particularly since the salary transparency laws are not enacted across all the states in the country. “Accuracy is highest in job listings at large employers and for roles with less incentive compensation.” In other words, the road to better transparency is still ways away, though states such as California are trying to set an example in this matter. Highlight of the article includes:
“Over the last few years, more and more states have passed pay transparency laws, requiring companies to publish pay ranges when advertising open jobs. As questions about enforcement of these new pay transparency rules remain, it is natural for job seekers to wonder about the accuracy of the published pay ranges. Glassdoor’s unique dataset allows us to assess the accuracy of the employer-provided pay ranges in online job advertisements by comparing pay ranges against user-reported salaries for the same job, employer and city.”
3.
https://blog.box.com/electronic-signature-software-guide
Benefits of Electronic Signature Software. This article from the Box.com blog is an interesting dive into the electronic signature software universe, and its impact on various businesses. It’s also of course, a plug for Box.com’s own services, but it’s a good reminder that digital transformation continues to permeate across many industries, including legal services, financial services, federal government, to name but a few, where wet signatures have been a staple, one that is now being altered. The article lists a series of aspects to consider when looking at this type of software, namely Ease of Use, Workflow Automation, Reusable Templates, Branding Customization, Unlimited Signatures, to name but a few. It’s an interesting article because of what it exposes of something that at first glance may seem simple, but has so many ramifications, all aspects Designers should consider when embarking on Product Design journeys. Highlight of the article includes:
“With accelerating digital transformation, businesses seek efficient and secure methods for signing documents remotely — plus, e-signature software offers significant time and cost savings compared to traditional paper-based processes, streamlining workflows and enhancing productivity
With the global shift toward remote work, tools that facilitate seamless document signing from anywhere have become more important than ever.
With evolving regulatory requirements, organizations are turning to e-signature solutions to ensure the legal validity and enforceability of signed documents while maintaining compliance with data privacy and security regulations”
