The High Speed User
The high speed user is looking for quick, "casual" content. This person may be stuck in line, waiting for a meeting to start or sitting in a cafe finishing a coffee. They may be viewing a bookmarked or new video on YouTube, a news story, a quick scan of the stock or weather application, etc.
The Slow Speed User
Conversely, there is the slower speed user that is spending 30 minutes-2 hours with the iPhone watching videos, browsing through content, listening to music clips, searching on YouTube etc. A new slang term for this user has already arisen - "pod potato". This is the new version the "couch potato" of previous times. This user obviously has access to a charger or a full charge on the battery, or its late in the evening and its not a concern.
Designing for these Two Users
These different speeds of content access, notably the the two different users mentioned here, are a design challenge with the coming of the new wireless, touch Internet. Accessing the Internet at high speed in a multitude of scenarios, both casual, public and professional, will create new behavioral patterns and expectations with online content access.
Designing Web applications that different users will easily access and find of value irregardless of their speed or amount of time invested is important. Planning now for the known differences in users will better promote your design's success.
