Mobile First Design in Cryptocurrency: Pi Network
Tags: cryptocurrency, mobile, blockchain, mining
Published: 2020-02-15 19:24:06

As a web developer, i think all designers should follow the “mobile first” rule in product design.
This approach is not being used in only software development.  What does “mobile first design” mean? Why is it important?

The mobile-first approach is the ideology that mobile design should be done first. Once the mobile design questions are answered, designing for other devices will be easier. 
If we take the mobile end product design as a starting point, under the restrictions like bandwidth, screen size and so on, designers will naturally seize the key points of a product, head for a lean & neat product with prioritized features. 
What it boils down to is that, the smallest of the designs will have only the essential features, so right away you have designed the heart of your UX and UI.
If your site is good on a mobile device, it translates better to all devices. More important, though, is that the mobile-first approach is also a content-first approach. Mobile has the most limitations, screen size and bandwidth to name a few, and so designing within these parameters force you to prioritize content ruthlessly.
The key to mobile first principle is, in fact, a content-centered mind.

Why “Mobile First” ?

The exploding of mobile use gives us tangible reasons to believe that mobile-first principle is important in product design.

80% of internet users own a smartphone. (Smart Insights)

With so many cell phone services giving away free smartphones with their contracts, this number is only going to keep increasing -- which is good news for companies with a mobile marketing strategy. 
The exploding of mobile ends urges designers to pay attention to the mobile end and follow the “mobile first” rule in product design.

So now that we understood the mobile first approach, let's dive into the cryptocurrency world.
You've probably heard about Bitcoin and Blockhain, because they are disrupting entire industries. 

So what is a blockchain?

Like much of the technology world, cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin still rely on some form of database that are able to track large volumes of transactions and keep them secure. The solution used by many of the world’s largest digital currencies is the blockchain. 
Blockchain is the digital and decentralized ledger that records all transactions. Every time someone buys digital coins on a decentralized exchange, sells coins, transfers coins, etc ...
First implemented in 2009, the technology consists of 'blocks' that hold batches of timestamped transactions, with each block linked to the previous one through cryptography, thus forming a chain.
The main reason we even have this cryptocurrency and blockchain revolution is as a result of the perceived shortcomings of the traditional banking system. What shortcomings, you ask? For example, when transferring money to overseas markets, a payment could be delayed for days while a bank verifies it. Many would argue that financial institutions shouldn't tie up cross-border payments and funds for such an extensive amount of time.
Likewise, banks almost always serve as an intermediary of currency transactions, thus taking their cut in the process. Blockchain developers want the ability to process payments without a need for this middleman.

So what about bitcoin ?

Bitcoin is a currency that was created in 2009 by an unknown person using the alias Satoshi Nakamoto.
Bitcoin can be used to book hotels on Expedia, shop for furniture on Overstock and buy Xbox games. But much of the hype is about getting rich by trading or mine it.
Bitcoin uses blockchain technology as its transaction ledger.

Similar to the Bitcoin, there is another new cryptocurrency called Pi network (Pi) that users can mine on their mobile devices.

What attract my attention about Pi is its approach on “Mobile First”.
Pi Network allows users to earn PI cryptocurrency from any mobile device. This is the result of cryptocurrency evolution in general.
Bitcoin is starting to become old-fashioned as it requires a lot of electricity, while PI coins are completely eco-friendly. Pi Network uses Proof-of-Work algorithm without the high electricity costs. 

I will probably do another article focused only on PI network because it's very interesting.
You can download the app here: https://minepi.com/lemagismo use the code "lemagismo" to mine free. Check the FAQ page to learn more.

So far Pi Network is just an experiment in the field of mobile mining, But we will see more and more mobile approach in the cryptocurrency World and in other fields as well.

Let me know in the comments, your thoughts on "Mobile first" and Pi Network.