We’re in the process of testing and fixing bugs, so please keep it to yourself for now. If you have any feedback or comments, we would be over the moon to hear them!
textnow has introduced a free data plan in addition to its existing free calling and texting features. This major upgrade has positioned the textnow app as a wireless carrier, requiring a complete overhaul to support new features and user needs. To distinguish itself from other messaging platform apps, we have revamped every aspect of the app to make it look, feel, and function more like a phone service than a messaging app.
textnow is not just a regular app, it is the whole wireless carrier service in the app -app. The onboarding process is designed to introduce the free talk, text, and data service and to make signing up as easy as possible. It guides the user through setting up their device, SIM/eSIM, and account in easy and familiar ways, even through some challenging and technical steps.
To differentiate itself from other messaging platforms, textnow needed to adjust the way it communicates with people. Instead of using abstract taglines, more straightforward phrases like “Most reliable free network in America” and “Get Free Plan” instead of “Sign Up” can help people understand textnow’s product and services better.
The app store is typically where a user begins their journey. As we have mentioned a few times before, it is important to convey to the user that textnow is not just another social media messenger, but rather a comprehensive free wireless carrier service provided through the app. This is a crucial message that should be communicated during this step.
The smartphone is not the only platform to learn about and join textnow. This is why it is essential to ensure that messaging and visuals remain consistent across all platforms and mediums.
Essential free data covers the most important apps, such as email, maps, and car sharing. However, the user should be able to choose unlimited and unrestricted 5G/LTE data if needed. We have developed a unique approach to offer 5G data passes as in-app purchases. Users can choose daily, weekly, or monthly passes as per their requirements, without the need for subscriptions.
Geeeez, drawers hidden behind the burger menu icons are so 2014 and we are talking about something else than the ui components being trendy or not. In the textnow example, it leads users to classify textnow as a messenger, and on top of that, it becomes tough to get all the features displayed in it. We designed a new way of navigating through the product while keeping the current structure in mind to ensure hassle-free development and transition.
The big idea was to utilize a 20:9 aspect ratio screen (pretty common these days in the Android phones world) real estate cleverly. This would provide textnow with ample space to display an Ad at the top and device navigation at the bottom while reserving the dynamic app 16:9 space between them.
The idea of adapting an app to a specific screen size led us to explore the concept of creating a Android Launcher or even better custom Android ROM for textnow. This custom launcher could potentially lead textnow to significant success, especially during a user’s first-time launch and onboarding. Instead of having an operating system as the main host with the textnow app living on top of it, textnow could actually become an operating system, and third-party apps would become a feature in the textnow environment. This would lead to ultra-fast boot times, a tailored and bloatware-free user experience, and better control over data usage, which is crucial since the essential data is free for the users.
This approach would allow an advertisement to remain visible on the screen even if the user switches to third-party apps. By displaying an ad over third-party apps, TextNow could generate revenue and offer free data to the user.
In-app glyphs design
TextNow app icon
Premium perks icon style
Custom ROM could be fine-tuned even better if there is one specific device that is targeted. Most of the technical difficulties such as checking for carrier locks, verifying IMEI numbers, or determining if the device supports eSIM, could be easily and completely avoided.
Creating an affordable device with unlimited talk and text, along with free essential data, sounds as good as it is. By removing certain hardware features, such as having only one primary camera, and developing a bloatware-free ROM optimized for specific hardware specs, the cost can be significantly reduced. This approach ensures that the device is not underpowered even if the hardware is not the “latest&fastest”, resulting in a smoother user experience (as Nintendo has taught us many times).
When you turn on your new device for the first time, instead of having to dig through your settings to find the IMEI and other similar information, you are presented with valuable questions that will help personalize the device. This can be especially useful if you're setting up a device for your parents, your small business, or your kids.
Glass, aluminum, titanium. Sounds good, sounds premium and luxurious. A textnow device should not be about that - it should be simple, cute, and ready to be accessorized or covered with stickers. And with the emergence of 2YK aesthetics, it would appeal to new generations while evoking nostalgia in their parents. We didn’t go too deep into producing real mockups and renders of the device, but let us tell you something, oh gosh, we would really like to take that step.
Founded in 2009 by two university students looking to save money on their phone bills, TextNow has been putting free phone service technology into the hands of customers for over a decade.
250M downloads and counting, with a rating of 4.8
Pudding delivered a brand identity for textnow in 2018. The same logomark is still present, and widely recognizable.
TextNow rebrand that made it look strong and loved by over 100 million users.
Identity and product design for this AI-powered marketing and advertising tool.
Rebranding and redesigning a file-sharing app.
Even though we might collaborate remotely, the time zone difference should not be a concern as we are available for calls at any time. If a face-to-face meeting is required, we can travel, but we would also be delighted to welcome you to our studio.
Even though we might collaborate remotely, the time zone difference should not be a concern as we are available for calls at any time. If a face-to-face meeting is required, we can travel, but we would also be delighted to welcome you to our studio.
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Honorable Mention - Sep 24, 2024
Honorable Mention - Nov 10, 2023
