Post #2: Web/Mobile App Critique

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One mobile app I use regularly is Yuka, a free barcode scanner that evaluates the health impact of food and cosmetic products. I rely on this app almost every time I go shopping, which has completely changed how I choose products for myself and my family. With one quick scan, Yuka assigns a score between 1 and 100, along with a rating like poor, bad, good, or excellent. It is beneficial because it doesn’t just tell you what’s wrong with a product. It also recommends healthier alternatives, helping users make better-informed decisions in real time.

In terms of usability, Yuka is simple and intuitive. The scan button is centered on the screen as soon as the app opens. Tapping it activates your camera, allowing you to scan a product’s barcode immediately. Within seconds, the app displays a score and color-coded result. The layout is clean and uncluttered, and it’s easy to use with one hand while pushing a cart or shopping with kids.

Yuka’s design is not only user-friendly but also very informative. Once a product is scanned, the results page breaks down the ingredients and explains which ones may be harmful, questionable, or safe. The app provides plain-language descriptions that make it easy for anyone to understand why a product received its score. It also offers a list of safer or higher-rated alternatives, making shopping easier without needing to research ingredients individually.

Functionally, the app performs very well. I’ve never experienced any crashes or freezing, and it updates regularly with improvements. It is available on both the App Store and Google Play and maintains a strong reputation. Reinstalling the app is also simple, and I’ve never lost any personal preferences or data. Features like these reflect best practices in mobile usability, such as system reliability, low error rates, and effective user feedback (Huang & Benyoucef, 2022).

One limitation I’ve noticed is that non-subscribers cannot manually search for products. This can be frustrating when I want to research items from home or compare options in advance. Adding a basic product search feature for free users would improve accessibility without compromising the value of the subscription model.

Here are three features I would recommend for future updates:

  1. Voice search to allow hands-free product lookups while shopping.
  2. A save-to-favorites option for tracking products you want to purchase later.
  3. A trial version of the premium plan so users can explore advanced features before committing to a subscription.

Yuka continues to be one of the most practical and health-conscious tools I use daily. Its thoughtful design and reliable performance make it a trusted part of my shopping routine, and with a few added features, it could become even more convenient and user-friendly.


 Reference

Huang, Z., & Benyoucef, M. (2022). A systematic literature review of mobile application usability: Addressing the design perspective. Universal Access in the Information Society, 22, 715–735. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10209-022-00903-w

 


Comments

  1. Montrell TravisMay 13, 2025 at 6:35 AM

    Yes I agree they need to add these features and that app would be amazing.

    ReplyDelete

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