Handheld Usability
Zipf’s law states that common words are very common, and that uncommon words are combinations of uncommon words. For example if you start typing the letters ‘th’ then you are probably trying to write the word ‘the’ rather than ‘theologian’. Applying this simple insight to mobile phones gave us predictive text entry, where a small dictionary allows the phone to guess the word that the user is most likely trying to enter. For example if you press the keys ‘84’ while entering a text message on a modern phone, the phone will predict ‘the’ as your word. This invention allows QWERTY-snobs like me to approach the speeds of Finnish teenagers in tapping text messages on a mobile phone.
Such innovation is just amusingly clever on a PC, but on the small screens of handheld devices, it is essential. A good user interface converts a small device from a limiting gadget to a useful tool. European consumers’ ‘wapathetic’ response to WAP-enable phones was due to over hyping by the telecommunications industry, but also poor usability of the devices.
So a textbook on the topic is certainly appropriate.
Handheld usability defines handheld devices as highly portable machines that can operate with no cables and can be operated within one’s hand. In addition, they must either allow the addition of applications or support internet connectivity. So the book’s focus includes handheld computers (such as Palm-powered machines and Pocket PCs) and mobile phones (with WAP, i-mode or email connectivity) but excludes devices such as music players.
Naturally the discussion includes details of devices that are obsolete. Such is usually the case with any discussion of the details in information technology. But the principles are timeless and the practices will remain practical.
Perhaps the most useful chapter is the one on prototyping. Weiss’ advice is that this should be done with a pen and several pieces of paper. For example the designer would draw the first screen on the paper. The user would then say what he or she expects to see on interacting with each element of the “screen”. During this feedback, the designer would draw the next screen, and again ask the user what he or she expects. This technique is of course cheap but I was surprised by its effectiveness. No doubt Weiss’ clients also found it useful.
If your team is designing applications for handheld devices, consider hiring Weiss. If you cannot afford that, buy his book. You cannot afford not to.
Book details
Title - Handheld Usability
Authors - Scott Weiss
Publisher - John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
ISBN - 0470844469
Buy the book
From Amazon.com
or Amazon
UK.
