Requirements of a Mobile Newsfeed

When users open a news-centric mobile app, they expect a seamless, engaging stream of fresh content, whether they are on a crowded subway, waiting in line for coffee, or relaxing at home. Designing a newsfeed mobile system means balancing real-time updates with device constraints, unpredictable network conditions, and the need for fluid interactions. In this lesson, we’ll frame the core design challenge: how do we ensure that every scroll feels instant, every image loads without delay, and every tap on like or comment is reflected immediately, while respecting battery life, memory limits, and offline scenarios?

Understanding the design problem

In a desktop or web-only context, bandwidth and compute are often abundant; on a mobile device, they are limited and must be used judiciously. Imagine Sara, a commuter in a low-connectivity area, trying to browse her feed between stops. If images stall or interactions lag, frustration mounts, and she abandons the app. Conversely, continuously polling the server for new posts drains her battery and data plan. The design problem, then, is twofold, as highlighted below.

• User experience: Deliver timely, personalized content with smooth scrolling and immediate feedback on interactions.

• Device awareness: Optimize network calls, cache intelligently, and adapt to life cycle events so that the app is responsive without draining resources.

Scenario: Sara’s train tunnel drops her connection for thirty seconds. What should the app display during that interval? How do we queue her likes or comments so they sync reliably once back online? ...