With an interface...

Include critical, useful content in each notification

A good notification, like a good error message, includes an appropriate level of content to provide context, relevancy and utility. For example, knowing that new mail has been received is useful, but knowing who sent it, when it was received and what it concerns is ever more useful.

• Ensure that the manifestation of the notification (e.g., inserted inline into an instant messaging conversation, an error dialog, an icon plus tone, etc.) is context, content and product appropriate

• When appropriate, include the time the event that triggered the notification occurred, the reason or cause of the notification, and as much of any content the notification pertains to as possible within the manifestation of the notification itself

• Triggering an audio cue in conjunction with the visual can often be more effective, though more disruptive

dave@mobileixd.com

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