App Showcase: TED

What it does

The TED app provides a mobile gateway to its extensive library of influential talks and podcasts. It allows users to stream thousands of presentations from experts in technology, entertainment, design, science, and global issues. The app personalizes content recommendations, enables offline viewing through downloads, and offers a clean, focused interface for learning on the go.

Where it shines

The app excels in making its vast content library feel accessible and manageable. The home screen (00:51) presents a well-organized feed with logical categories like "Your latest recommendation" and "Newest Talks," immediately guiding the user. The filtering capabilities are impressively robust, allowing users to drill down by multiple topics, language, and duration (02:49), which is a powerful tool for discovery. Another strength is the unified "My Library" section (03:50), which centralizes saved videos, downloaded content, and viewing history into one intuitive hub.

UX highlights

• The "Surprise Me!" button (02:24) offers a delightful way to discover new content with a single tap, breaking users out of their recommendation bubbles.
• The video player is feature-rich, providing granular control over playback speed (01:27) and access to subtitles in dozens of languages.
• A seamless toggle between light and dark modes in the settings (05:26) caters to user viewing preferences.
• The app cleanly separates video and audio content, with a dedicated "TED Audio Collective" for browsing and listening to podcasts (04:13).
• Users can easily download talks for offline viewing, with the file size clearly indicated (03:52), helping manage device storage.
• The interface for managing a user's library is straightforward, using familiar patterns like swipe-to-remove (03:59).

Monetization & growth

Monetization is not a primary focus in the user journey shown. The app does not present any paywalls or subscription prompts during onboarding or general browsing. The core content appears to be free to access after creating an account. However, a subtle growth mechanic is visible on the home screen at 00:55, where a banner for "EXCLUSIVE CONTENT" prompts users to "Join free waitlist." This suggests a strategy focused on building an engaged user base for future premium offerings or events rather than immediate subscription revenue.

Who it’s for

The app is built for lifelong learners, students, professionals, and intellectually curious individuals. Its target audience values credible, expert-led content that is both educational and inspiring. The inclusion of podcasts and offline downloads makes it ideal for commuters or anyone who consumes content in various settings. The broad range of topics ensures there's something for almost any interest.

Notes & opportunities

The mandatory sign-up wall at 00:14, immediately after the interest quiz, is the most significant point of friction. While the quiz helps build intent, some users may drop off when required to create an account before sampling any content. An opportunity exists to allow limited browsing or to preview one or two recommended talks based on the quiz results before requiring a full sign-up. This could improve activation rates by demonstrating the app's value more tangibly upfront.