Freehand LLC

Checkin out the Tumblr iOS app, you should too

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 13:26:20 -0500

Currently playing around with the Tumblr app done by Mobelux. In fact I’m posting from it right now. Very smooth and they are Richmond based.

Do I need a Mobile Optimized Web site?

Sun, 18 Sep 2011 21:33:33 -0400

This is a hot area in Web design, how to fit all of your great Web site content onto a screen that is much smaller than a traditional desktop computer monitor. As a site owner you have a myriad of options.

As they say form follows function. Make your decisions by doing a little research.

Look at your server stats using tools like Ominture or Google Analytics. These tools will give you a breakdown of what platforms your users are visiting your Web site from. You’ll be able to see if you are getting mobile users browsing your site. You’ll also be able to identify content that you may not have thought of as being popular for your mobile users.

Do some soul searching. Is there content you know is important for people on the go? For example, the DC Metro, has a site with specific content sections, such as next scheduled departure, tailored for someone looking for info while out and about. They don’t try and provide all of the site because most likely someone isn’t interested in reading the metro news page while looking for the next train.

Once you have decided on the content you want on your mobile optimized site you need to decide if you want to create an alternative mobile version such as m.yoursite.com or optimize your existing stylesheet to hide content that is not meeting your audience’s needs in a mobile environment. There are many choices for the standalone mobile site. I am a fan of jQuery mobile, which is a Javascript framework that supports touch on a mobile screen. If you decide your current site is a good base to develop on then look at using CSS media queries. Hartley Brody, has a good blog post about this.

Having a Web site that provides value to your audience while on the go is a great way to show that you care. It just takes a little planning and you’ll be on your way.

App.net Gives Mobile App Makers an Instant Web Presence

Thu, 08 Sep 2011 12:52:00 -0400

We’re excited to begin integrating the capabilities of App.net into our offering. Read more about them here. The App.net board includes heavyweight Marc Andreeson of Netscape and Ning fame.

App.net fills a great niche by offering developers tools to create custom app landing pages. All the major platforms are supported. With their platform you get third party integration with app store reviews, ratings, Facebook, Twitter, and Mail Chimp.

This will be a great tool in the critical marketing of apps. By utilizing best in breed tools to develop app landing pages coupled with best in breed apps we’ll give your app the press it deserves.

PayPal Blog Post

Mon, 05 Sep 2011 22:25:00 -0400

We are extremely excited to be featured in a Blog post on our Campus Cookies app. We’ll post the link when it is available.

Campus Cookie Launches in App Store

Mon, 05 Sep 2011 22:20:00 -0400

Freehand’s first iOS app launches in the iTunes App store. Check it out here.

The late night college cookie company, Campus Cookies, turned to us to create a brand experience on the iPhone that was also highly functional. Campus Cookies serves the college communities of James Madison University and Virginia Tech putting smiles on faces with cookies. Freehand built a custom experience that allows a user to order and pay for cookies for delivery or pickup on the iPhone. We tapped into the e-Commerce platform of Campus Cookies to pull consistent products from the online store as well as created a match game to get a discount on the order.