Pixelapproved!

Yesterday I attended another Zoom call with LL execs and the mobile app development team, to hear more about what is in store in the coming months in terms of the roll out of the SL mobile app. I forgot to check the number of participant in this call, but it was way more than during the first one a couple of weeks ago!!
LL firmly believes that this mobile app will enhance the experience of existing users while away from their desktop, as well as bring back users who by now are used to do everything on their mobile devices, and not necessarily on a desk or laptop. The mobile app is NOT a replacement for the desktop viewers, but Grumpity and her team are working hard to add new and engaging features to the app, while fixing bugs and performance issues. Measure for success for the use of the app is not necessarily the number of downloads, but rather how frequently do users use the app, and how long are they connected through the app (KPI’s).

Later this month, the possibility of signing up directly from the app will be available, which sounds a bit like a contradiction to what LL claims should be an extension for the existing desktop users. But I suppose it’s good to be prepared and have this ready because inevitably, also people who do not currently have an SL account will want to join through the mobile app.

What I am personally very excited about, and wouldn’t even mind in the desktop version, is the development of a lobby. While SL loads, you’ll already be able to read offline and get news on what is going on on the grid and which of your friends are online.
And at the same time, the team is working on known issues, such as avatar rendering and other issues send through the feedback portal.

While this meeting was primarily for the updates on the SL mobile app, there is also always time to address some concerns ideas from the community.

One of my long time fellow bloggers, who is an amazing new resident advocate, rightfully raisedthe issue that the video content available on the welcome hubs is seriously outdated, and frankly off putting. it is not the engaging content you want new users to find and educate with. LL will look into that, and most likely disable the links for now, while they work on a better solution. No video content is better than 2007 video content in 2024!
They also mentioned that in this time of economic challenges, all the LL organized Shop & Hop events may not be the best way to support content creators. Especially not by requesting new and free items, as well as competing with existing events with an overkill of 16 sims full of free and discounted content. The attending executives will relay that remark to the correct team, but you could see they were appreciative of the concern.

I raised the concern that people seem to think LL is now using the blogging community to execute their communication efforts, and that this is not received too well. Brad Oberwager explained, that it’s not instead of corporate communication, but rather an addition, as they realize they may not be the best at beating their own drum, and that stats prove that messages about development/corporate communication from LL are not that well read. Which I think is a fair remark in a world where most people don’t even read note cards, and rather ask for slurls/LM in a group chat than using the search function or even a simple inventory search for a shop’s LM. :D

You should also start to see more publicity around SL, as LL is starting up a new marketing campaign. “So far”, Oberwager states, “all the money was funneled into R&D, but I am now going to put money into marketing as well. We have an awesome product, and it’s time to get message across.”

Some people wanted to address personal grievances, but it was made clear tat these calls are not made for that, and they were invited to mail the execs directly to take it offline.

Bottom line: LL is reaching out, they are listening. I read there is an invite for content creators going out as well. I can only recommend, if you get an invite, register and attend! Philip mentioned that he receives many emails requesting solutions for issues people are experiencing, but many of the issues/request are direct opposites. What is the Holy Grail of SL for me, can be the death of SL according to you, which makes these mails a fine line to walk. The vast diversity of the resident population, is amazing, but also makes SL extremely complex, and the individual residents hard to please.