Initial Research

Initial Individual Research 

How Would It Work

I decided to start by looking at pre-existing apps on the Google Play Store and on the App Store to see how a service could be effectively used to provide information in warnings and public emergencies. Apps such as the official app for the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the United States and ICRISIS which is an emergency alert, health and personal safety app. 

Data is usually collected from third parties which usually form profile information that could be utilised in a service such as providing information. Purely location-based data would be needed in terms of this assignment though. More than likely the user would have to grant permission after being made fully aware of the tracking used to ensure that the updates given are specific to their given area. As well as the built-in GPS within the mobile phone itself.

While not related I began to research the AMBER alert system set up in the United States. Whilst it's based around finding abducted children by acting as an early emergency system. Specifically, I looked at the way they communicate with mobile phones to broadcast alerts.
The alert service also uses the national weather service and imminent threat alerts which could be further looked into. All capable devices get those alerts in the relevant geographical area. 

'How the Geolocation Works' - https://usersinsights.com/how-the-geolocation-works/
'What is Geolocation?'- https://www.chromeinfotech.net/blog/google-maps/
Amber Alert - https://amberalert.ojp.gov/about/faqs#faq1
'How to develop a Healthcare app' - https://themanifest.com/app-development/how-develop-healthcare-app
CDC -  https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=gov.cdc.general&gl=IE
ICRISIS - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.app.icrisisapplication&gl=IE

Appearance Options
When focusing on ease of functionality I decided to research apps and potential layouts that could help greatly in formatting what our app would look like, deciding that there would be the desired consistency but differences in how the app and website would appear. The goal is to have this app be accessible to all so the minimalistic but concise approach I believed would be the best possible way of achieving that all demographics can navigate. 

By providing all necessary information to the user as shown by MI Smart Home, whilst this app's functionality is based around managing household appliances the layout of the app would be ideal if adapted to providing important information. The colour contrast as well throughout the app gives it an appealing look as well, possibly acting as a calming aspect of the app if adapted well. Another app which could help as inspiration to add more depth to the overall look is Mobile UI which could prove to be very influential in forming the app. The mockups below show how extensive a design could be.

Mobile UI - https://dribbble.com/shots/6980640-Traveling-App
MI Smart Home - https://dribbble.com/shots/5137383--Mi-Smart-Home-Outside-view-1

On the website aspect, I decided to focus on the ways and means of making the website as easy as it can be to navigate. Those who use the website would most likely be of the older demographic and would have to be accounted for more when designing the appearance. Though this is not to completely discount younger demographics either as this service could be accessed through browsers on mobile phones and not just through the established app stores. 

I just looked at easily navigatable websites such as Virgin Airlines' as well as HSE's website to fully understand how it's done well and also how to convey information in an efficient manner. 

Virgin Airlines - https://www.virginatlantic.com/
HSE - https://www.hse.ie/eng/

Public Alert Example
In this assignment, it's Covid-19 that will be the example of what and how content would be shown to the user informing them on the precautions to be taken. Though the whole app/website is not to be tailored so the created 'infrastructure' would have to be robust for natural disasters etc.