Design Observation: WOW

Hardly a day goes by that I don't use the Globe Calls app on my iPhone. I found out about this ingenious invention from a friend, who recommended the app after seeing that I was using an iPhone and that this automatically made me a Globe user. It makes calling infinitely more convenient, because the app does all the work for you.

What I love most about this is its general APPEARANCE. The Globe Calls app welcome screen is a simple illustration of how to use it:

I also like the fact that it doesn't use flashy fonts or a dozen tiny buttons and dials, just an uncluttered design and a very simple interface as can be seen below:

If you hadn't known otherwise, you'd probably think it was just the normal contacts list of any iPhone. As for its FUNCTIONALITY, I like that it was designed specifically to cater to users who wanted to avail of Globe's numerous voice call promos but are too lazy or just unable to take note of the required prefixes and codes. This app basically does all the work for you.

Lightly tapping any one of the options will activate the service indicated. It's surprisingly easy to use, due in large part to the simple instructions and clean interface. It's also not "bulky", in the sense that it wasn't overloaded with useless and unnecessary features that would weigh it down and make it overcomplicated.

But of course, the best thing about it is that it can be downloaded from the iTunes store completely free of charge. It has also performed up to par so far, because my phone bills have gotten much lower since I started using it.

Probably the only obvious flaw I can see in this app is that it is exclusive to iPhone and Globe users. But if you are an iPhone user, don't hesitate to make this a staple app for your everyday calling needs.

Fitness First

I find it uncanny, or just a bit unsettling, how people are becoming such fitness buffs these days. Perhaps it's just me, but a lot of the people I know or who are in my circle of friends are either already going to a gym or just about to sign up for a gym membership. A friend even took me to a Fitness First branch before for a one-time only free pass into this mecca of buff bods and gym equipment. All this hype is starting to take its toll on me, making me much more conscious about how much exercise I'm getting.

But after reading the article "Cognitive Fitness", I felt relieved and felt that it was a refreshing change from all the talk about diets and calories and sit ups. There is FINALLY somebody out there who's advocating fitness from a different perspective.

But of course, this isn't to say that I have never heard of the idea of exercising one's mind, apart from one's body. I've heard about it before in my Psychology class, in various articles and in some science journals and periodicals (Yes, I read those).

I already knew before reading the article that people's brains change physically as they gain more knowledge, which is why scientists fought tooth and nail to have the opportunity to examine Albert Einstein's brain. They wanted to understand what the brain of a genius looked like, as compared to average human beings.

I also knew that performing various mental exercises can keep you mentally fit. This is very valuable information, especially for me since I am addicted to mind games and puzzles, particularly word, strategy, and hidden object games. It's comforting to know that all these weren't a waste of time, at least not most of it.

But it is still a sad fact that a lot of the world's major companies and corporations think that any form of frivolity is counter-productive. I know a lot of local companies follow this ideology.

If only all the workplaces in the world were like Google's central office in Zurich.

If I were unemployed and broke, I would definitely put Google as my number one choice for employment hands down regardless of salary or job description simply because of how much fun they seem to be having at work. In an ever changing world, the business side should learn to acknowledge the impact of letting loose has on productivity and creativity in the workplace. They should be able to "let their hair down" once in a while and have just a little bit of fun. It's doesn't have to be an either/or type of choice, there should always be a balance in things.

Instead of our "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy" mindset, we must shift this to "Work hard and party harder." Then maybe we could start churning out fresh and innovative ideas again.

(Pictures were taken from: http://www.boredpanda.com/the-best-place-to-work-google-and-their-office-in-zurich/)