Good What Is The IKEA App? Essay Example

Ikea App Critique

Ikea App Critique

The Ikea App is an application that allows users to download the nearly-300 page catalogue of Ikea furnishings, knowledge, and home/office decorating for free.

How is it used?

It is used by downloading from the iTunes Store on the internet. It can be downloaded onto either a iPhone or an iPad.

What is good about it?

This app has several positive features, including a huge number of catalogue pages -- about 300. Also, its users can watch films and view 360-degree sets. Furthermore, 3D and Augmented Reality allows users to see items in their rooms for "virtual" viewing. The website promotion is extensive, as the new version (15.20) includes some enhancements and optimizations. Evidently, many bugs have been fixed as the website states that the app is "happier and healthier".

What about website promotion?

Screenshots were available for perusal, and included images of the kitchen brochure and the actual lengthy catalog, as well as a catalogue of bathroom decor and furnishings. It is also available as a download on Android Smartphones. Another interesting feature of the Ikea App is the number of languages available for download, including German, Polish, Czech, Catalan, Spanish, English, and several more.

Does the app fit the audience?

The app does not necessarily fit the audience. Ikea is well-known for its inexpensive furniture, often fabricated from low-end composite materials. The app seems like an attempt to expand Ikea's customer base, one that begs the question of why anyone would want or need this app, despite its convenience, unique features, and accessibility, and its zero cost, of course.

Is the app compelling to the audience?

The website's front-end designers did an excellent job of describing the app, and hyping up its features, so to speak, but provide little imagery that shows just how useful or unique the app actually can be to a typical consumer of Ikea products. In fact, there are no photos of content consumers on the website, a serious oversight on the part of its designers. It is difficult to relate to a product when there is no example to be seen of satisfied customers. From reading the brief thread of consumer comments at the bottom of the page, the overall consensus is disappointment in the app, ranging from a complaint that Ikea does not even have product descriptions on the downloaded catalogues to a complaint that the app is "just as confusing as their completely self-shopping experience". One customer, however, expressed satisfaction, stating that the app was now much-improved.

Is the information relevant?

The information on this app is up-to-date, as it is dated 2015. It is not especially accessible, as the app is very slow and takes up about 33 MB of space on a device.

Its accessibility?

The app is inter-compatible with the Android Smartphone, but works better with iOS 6.1 or later. It is compatible with the iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch, but is optimized for the iPhone 5.1.

What is app's versatility?

The app is versatile with Apple products, usable on a number of devices and operating systems.
What is the app's method of introduction? The method of introduction for this app is nothing overly-dramatic. The design is simplified and, at first, seems easy to navigate, but this is clearly not the case. It is introduced by a photo of its main feature -- the catalogue with the Ikea logo across its cover.

What are the app's strengths of visuals?

Its visuals, while strong, are somewhat confusing through which to navigate. The overall aesthetic is clean and stylish, as well as contemporary -- appealing to a more youthful, tech-savvy crowd, perhaps with little disposable income.

What are the app's overall aesthetics?

Overall, the use of the Ikea App was a disappointing experience in terms of its overall aesthetic, and does Ikea products an injustice, as the app proves to be no more than a waste of 33 MB of phone or tablet storage space. One caveat comes to mind: buyer beware. However, since the product is a freebie, it is probably still better left alone. There are other ways to view Ikea furniture, which includes visiting their website. Despite the much-touted improvements in enhancements and optimizations, this product is slow, confusing, and space-consuming.

References

Ikea Catalogue. (2015). iTunes Preview. Retrieved from https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/ikea- catalog/id386592716