Yell and Matchbox Mobile have created a compelling mobile app for Windows Phone that gives Yell users relevant, useful information wherever they are.

Yell, as part of their new strategy emphasizing greater digital experiences, and in partnership with Microsoft, wanted to bring the unique Yell customer value to Windows Phone. Seeking a development partner for this project, Yell found an experienced and reputable vendor in Matchbox Mobile, a pioneering mobile software vendor based in Brighton, UK.

 

Three main goals for the app were: to give users all the features they’d expect from a Yell product; to offer excellent integration with social networks; harmonizing the look-and-feel with the Windows Phone style guide. Hence, balancing features and performance were as critical as fine-tuning appearance and experience for a connected, personal and relevant app.

Yell and Matchbox used a Scrum approach for fast iterations with clear and achievable targets. Throughout the process, Yell engaged in usability testing between builds and made changes to the design accordingly. Our chosen approach meant we could work these optimizations into each new build.

The design team provided pixel-perfect layouts and font descriptions, removing any scope for ambiguity. At the same time, the use of Expression Blend to create and proof the screen layouts meant nothing was lost in translation when it came to wiring in the code.

The design, development and QA teams worked together with Yell in fast iterations to create a high-performance, good-looking app. In less than six weeks we were able to take the initial concepts through rapid development to a finished product ready for submission to the Windows Phone Marketplace.

Through close collaboration between Matchbox Mobile and Yell, along with the tool-set and guidelines provided by Microsoft, Yell for Windows Phone proved to be an outstanding example of rapid mobile application development to exacting standards. The outstanding application design earned a much-coveted Featured slot in the Windows Phone Marketplace app hub for the UK. Yell users can now enjoy a high-quality experience that highlights the beauty and utility of the Windows Phone platform.