More on mobile phone design, usability and business success
Frank Gaine mailed this to the London Usability mailing list today
which has a little heuristic evaluation to back up some of the opinion
pieces on mobile phone UI success transalting to business success that
have been in the press recently.
“The mobile phone is an example of an interface whose use is very
visible in everyday life. Unlike other interfaces, issues relating to
mobile phones frequently pop up in conversation. People discuss the
tariff that they have subscribed to, phone accessories, ring tones
and, without knowing it, the usability of phones. How many times have
you been frustrated when you’ve had to use a friend’s mobile phone –
activating the keypad, sending an sms, even ending the call cause
problems. How many times have you or your friends complained about
not being able to remember where functions are located, such as
reviewing missed calls and adding a name to the phone book ? People’s
perception of ‘user-friendliness’ certainly impacts on the choice of
ones first and subsequent mobile phones. Nokia’s user-centred
approach can only serve to perpetuate their position as the world’s
leading maker of mobile phones going forward.”
Petafloptimism 