Cory Watilo

I was updating iPhone apps the other day and noticed the difference in how app developers describe their updates. In almost any app developed by a startup or internet company, app updates often provide detailed descriptions of the updates made to their application, whether they're new features or just bug fixes. Example:

A couple other examples are Skype and Angry Birds.

But with E*Trade, a rigid, financial, East Coast company who I can only assume lives by a very strict code of corporate culture, they simply described their app update with "Maintenance release" (a very corporate term, by the way).

WOW! Thanks E*Trade! I can't wait to download your app update full of maintenance stuff!

The point is, people like to know what's going on with their devices. Even if you're just fixing stuff, let people know! If you're going to require a user to update your app, you should at least give them the courtesy of letting them know why they're going out of their way for you.

Facebook recently announced hi-res image uploads on their blog. Sometimes, I enjoy reading through the comments more than the actual blog post itself. A lot of these posters use the comments as a way to get in touch with Facebook for customer support. However, some just don't make any sense whatsoever (a few because of a lack of understanding of the English language, even though some of those people use English as their primary language). Here is a selection of comments from recent hours that I found humorous.

I know that complaining about AT&T is like whining about rain in Seattle or sunshine in Orange County, but it's just one of those things you still feel like sharing anyway.

No reception on iPhone or iPad, and a Microcell that appears to be working regardless. Reming me again why I dropped $150 on the device that was supposed to help get me OFF the cell phone towers? Pointless, I tell you.

iPhone

iPad

Microcell