There are two approaches that can be taken when you roll up blinds while noting the first fallen snow. You can rush up to the attic, shaking off the dust as you root out the skis and sleds or, you can sit calmly at the breakfast table, pondering what the temperature might be in Lanzarote at the moment. If you belong to the latter category you may want to check out Håkan’s latest project, an app for Reseguiden.se that keeps track of charter giants, Last Minute Travel.
“The app has received great reviews and has been downloaded more than 1400 times already.” says Håkan contentedly. “The most thrilling thing was that we managed to develop a user interface that took the design guidelines and extended upon them.”
The app is designed for Windows Phone 7 and comparing it with other mobile platforms, it sports an interface that is a bit more stripped down and flatter in its style.
“I generally like when design is straightforward and simple, building on the Bauhaus inspiration with it’s functional and clean style.”
Perhaps it is usability and user experience that makes Håkan speak warmly of Windows Phone 7, but some of the love is due to the fact that the Windows Phone is his darling at Jayway. When the platform was launched at MIX in Las Vegas two years ago, Microsoft strongly hinted that Jayway should have someone there so 2 weeks before the event, it was decided that Håkan was the perfect candidate for the task.
- Once there, I knew straight away that I liked the platform- the system was well built and aesthetically pleasing.
Fast forward two years and today Jayway is the top company in Sweden for developing apps for Windows 7 and the explanation is simple.
“We were there first and we have the passion,” says Håkan. Other developers build apps just to fulfill a list of requested features. We build with consideration of a great user experience as well.”
After the launch of the reseguiden application, there are other projects in the pipeline. Two new applications for streaming audio and video as well as an update to a banking application. Besides that, Håkan is the group leader on the UX team.
But what about the snow versus residual travel, which type is Håkan really?
“This last weekend I was out with my daughters, skating on the ponds of Lomma. We are also heading on a skiing trip soon too, but categorically I am not what you would call an extreme sports guy.”
Travelling, he has nothing against. in fact, in the Spring they will probably pop over to Amsterdam or Paris. But if feelings of discomfort and pain are to come to mind, it is probably more likely that they will occur in the Summer.
“In August, I’ll participate in Malmö’s half marathon for the second time,” says Håkan.
