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Usability Challenges for Newer Technologies

Lawrence Najjar

lawrence_najjar@yahoo.com

http://mime1.gtri.gatech.edu/imb/people/larry.html

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Najjar Background

• 19 years design experience– US air traffic control system– Wearable computers– Home Depot online store– NASCAR.com– Accessibility

• Ph.D. engineering psychology

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What is “Usability?”

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Usability Benefits

• Annual savings when a company used iterative design-test-redesign method to build a timekeeping application used biweekly by 54,500 employees: $6,000,000.

• After improving usability, IBM.com got 400% increase in sales

• After improving usability of order application, Digital got 80% increase in revenue

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Newer Technologies

• New technologies being introduced very quickly• Rush to market may sacrifice ease of use• Newer technologies often have user interface

challenges• Examples:

– Web– Cellular telephones– Wearable computers

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Web Usability Challenges?

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Web Usability Challenges

• Slow download times• Broad user population• Impatient users• Different user languages & cultures• Disabled users• Wide variety of hardware/software• Many application choices• Limited interaction options (e.g., no drag-and-

drop)

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Web Usability Suggestions?

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Web Usability Suggestions

• Minimize graphics

• Limit page size to 40K

• Use simple, consistent navigation

• Test for cross-browser and cross-machine compatibility

• Tailor for language and culture

• Design for accessibility

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Cellular Telephone Usability Challenges?

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Cellular Telephone Usability Challenges

• Tiny display

• Generally monochrome display

• Small number of common keys

• Slow download time

• Broken connections

• Usually touch input

• Disabled users

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Cellular Telephone Usability Suggestions?

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Cellular Telephone Usability Suggestions

• Design extremely simple user interface

• Consider voice input

• Provide tiny applications

• Exploit user profiles entered on Web

• Nib on “5” key

• Help mode that reads keys, logged calls, etc.

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Wearable Computer Usability Challenges?

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Wearable Computer Usability Challenges

• Small size

• Light weight

• Small display

• Often hands-free input (e.g., voice recognition)

• Mobile users

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Wearable Computer Suggestions?

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Wearable Computer Suggestions

• Provide voice input/output

• Design simple, customized user interface

• Use rechargeable batteries

• Provide tailorability

• Use wireless network connection

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Conclusions

• Keys to designing user interfaces for newer technology: – Focus on needs and preferences of users– Keep it simple, stupid (KISS)

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Lawrence Najjar

lawrence_najjar@yahoo.com

http://mime1.gtri.gatech.edu/imb/people/larry.html