A couple months ago, LinkedIn launched a new iPad app. I didn’t download it right away, but as I continued to hear more and more about the app – I decided I had to check out for myself what all of the buzz was about.
LinkedIn has 150 million users with more than 22% of LinkedIn traffic coming from mobile devices, up from 8% a year ago (CNN). Their mobile platform is the fastest growing consumer service on LinkedIn. As a result, the iPad app was born.
What’s my first impression of the app? It has a beautiful design and was built with usability front and center.
The home screen starts with three paths:
1) Updates: Get a snapshot of your professional updates, news, and information all in one place
2) Profile: Access your profile, connections and activity dashboard with a quick swipe
3) Inbox: Send and receive your LinkedIn invitations and messages in one place
Built with HTML5-based mobile web technology, the app supports the new iPad’s Retina display affording a very elegant design experience. For example, you will notice the “updates” feature is similar to Flipboard – allowing for content to be easily digestible to the eye.
Another main feature of the app is its calendar syncing capabilities. The app allows you to pull in details from your Google Calendar or Exchange Calendar.
Of course, there always tends to be a few areas that need improvements with newly launched apps. So far, the main concerns that have surfaced includes: inability to edit your resume, the lag time you experience when you have a significant amount of connections, and limitations with the management of groups.
Overall, I feel this app makes strides in engaging the professional on a more regular basis. LinkedIn has done a good job in consolidating the experience – read timely news, check your calendar, and know what your peers are up to – all in one place.
What is your first impression of the app?
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