Weibo Extension
Social update at your desktop browser
BACKGROUND
Extensions are small code packages that you can add to your browser to extend its functionality. It is built using open standards (HTML5, CSS, JavaScript) and supported APIs. At the time I joined Opera in July 2011, there were 718 extensions and 80 Speeddial extensions.
MY ROLE
Back in the year 2011, I designed and developed 5+ speed-dial extensions for Opera desktop browser. Among them Sina Weibo extension reached 200,000+ downloads.
THE FINAL PRODUCT
Sina Weibo extension is developed to pull messages from my account and saved me the effort of checking my timeline now and then.
DESIGN PROCESS
Find the needs
Firstly I defined what I wanted to build. As Weibo (Chinese Twitter) started to gain popularity, I noticed the demand for a convenient way to check its update.
Define the functions
To enhance the browsing experience without user refreshing the website for updates, I chose to pushes notifications to users. I decided to work on speeddial extensions so users could access the information easier without any click.
Test and iterate
Then I defined the features and tested internally in our office. After that, I did a few iterations and then submitted it through my personal developer account on Opera extension store.
Iterate based on user feedback
After publishing I got a few feedback from users. I responded and updated the extension a few times to address the comments.
THE RESULT
The extension turned out to be a success: it got a few 5-star reviews and 200,000+ downloads. I was also approached by my colleague in Norway to promote the extension.
From this project, I found myself enjoying the role of designing a product, it enabled me to make an impact at a high level. Knowing that many users are relying on my product also give me a strong sense of accomplishment.
Downloads