Transcript Wireless Phone Usability

Wireless Usability
Issues in wireless phones’ device/service usability
Hyun Joo LEE
LIS 385 T.6: Software Usability Engineering
February 20, 2003
Contents
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Introduction
Wireless phone services and networks
Wireless connectivity
Web-enabled mobile phone usability
An insight for the wireless usability testing
Conclusion
Introduction
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What is Wireless Usability?
: “the users’ perception of the quality” of wireless
device/service, which is based on the” users’ ease
of use, ease of learning and relearning” (Barnum,
2002)
: the device/service’s intuitiveness for the user,
and the user’s appreciation of the usefulness of it
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Why Wireless?
Portability (Mobility), Flexibility, etc.
Wireless phone services and networks
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1 G :first generation cell phones, analog technology
handled only voice
2 G :second generation cell phones, digital,
offer data services (text messaging and Web access)
2.5 G:a transitional generation of phones,
higher speed data (40 Kbps ~144Kbps) access.
General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) networks
3 G: third generation networks, packet switching
much higher speed connectivity (384Kbps~ 2 Mbps)
- SK Telecom IMT 2000, KOREA(ROK)
- NTTdocomo, Japan
Devices and 3G
PAGERS
Mobile
phones
COMMUNICATORS
Built-in CCD camera
Packet data transmission
PDAs
images as e-mail
attachments
3G mobile-multimedia phone
1. i-mode
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i-mode has transformed the mobile phone
from a tool for voice communication into an
all encompassing information tool.
i-mode was developed as a packet-switched
high-speed (9600) system.
Unlike voice calls, which are circuit-switched
connections requiring dial up, i-mode’s data
connections are packet switched, meaning
the data connection is “always on”
2. WAP (Wireless Application Protocol)
Standard in Europe, North America
WAP architecture
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Mobile phones
Communication tower
WAP
gateway
Internet
Web server
http://www.useit.com/alertbox/20001210.html
Connectivity
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Connectivity of wireless devices depend on
network reliability, power supplies such as
battery life and so on.
‘Always-on’ connections
Web-enabled mobile phone usability
1.Consumer issues
-Display screen, input devices
-Transport
-Battery life
-Communication
-Peripherals and Expansion (Elden, C.R.)
2. focus group
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novice and savvy,
Internet savvy,
teenager or senior,
phone savvy,
everyday consumer,
physically challenged,
complex application user,
online transaction user,
high-income and high net worth
geo-specific
3.Device and user interface elements
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Mechanism (selection v. typing )
User-centered
Consistency
GUI (graphical user interface)
-Menus, Popup Menus, Text entry fields,
Check boxes, Radio buttons, Icons and push
buttons
Readability- Anti-Glare
4. Device checklist example
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Is the screen legible under both good and poor lighting?
Are the controls intuitive for both voice and WWW use?
Can they have be used by people of varying hand size and
fingernail length?
Can they be one-handed?
Do they have a minimum of 6 lines of text visible?
Is the screen legible to older users?
Is the speaker volume loud enough?
rapid-chargers available for road warriors?
5. Service checklist examples
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Is there adequate service to employee’s offices,
travel routes, and homes?
Check both voice and web access coverage areas.
An insight for the wireless usability
testing
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Ease of use and ease of learning
Reliability
Situated environment
Conclusion
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Case studies and developing usability
procedure are necessary for designing and
testing for the wireless devices/services.
In the usability study, effectiveness, efficiency,
satisfaction of the wireless devices and
services based upon users’ perspectives are
the three major components to be considered.