Wireless Usability Issues in wireless phones’ device/service usability

1. Wireless Usability Issues in wireless phones’ device/service usability Hyun Joo LEE LIS 385 T.6: Software Usability Engineering February 20, 2003

2. Contents • Introduction • Wireless phone services and networks • Wireless connectivity • Web-enabled mobile phone usability • An insight for the wireless usability testing • Conclusion

3. Introduction • 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 • Why Wireless? Portability (Mobility), Flexibility, etc.

4. Wireless phone services and networks • 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

5. Devices and 3G PAGERS Mobile phones COMMUNICATORS Built-in CCD camera Packet data transmission images as e-mail attachments PDAs

6. 3G mobile-multimedia phone 1. i-mode • 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”

7. 2. WAP (Wireless Application Protocol) • Standard in Europe, North America • WAP architecture Mobile phones Communication tower WAP gateway Internet Web server http://www.useit.com/alertbox/20001210.html

8. Connectivity • Connectivity of wireless devices depend on network reliability, power supplies such as battery life and so on. • ‘Always-on’ connections

9. Web-enabled mobile phone usability 1.Consumer issues -Display screen, input devices -Transport -Battery life -Communication -Peripherals and Expansion (Elden, C.R.)

10. 2. focus group • 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

11. 3.Device and user interface elements • 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

12. 4. Device checklist example • 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?

13. 5. Service checklist examples • Is there adequate service to employee’s offices, travel routes, and homes? • Check both voice and web access coverage areas.

14. An insight for the wireless usability testing • Ease of use and ease of learning • Reliability • Situated environment

15. Conclusion • 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.