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1
Usability Challenges for Newer Technologies
Lawrence Najjar
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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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
• 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
• 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
• 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
• 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
• Small size
• Light weight
• Small display
• Often hands-free input (e.g., voice recognition)
• Mobile users
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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)