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Usability Challenges for Newer Technologies

Usability Challenges for Newer Technologies. Lawrence Najjar lawrence_najjar@yahoo.com http://mime1.gtri.gatech.edu/imb/people/larry.html. Najjar Background. 19 years design experience US air traffic control system Wearable computers Home Depot online store NASCAR.com Accessibility

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Usability Challenges for Newer Technologies

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  1. Usability Challenges for Newer Technologies Lawrence Najjar lawrence_najjar@yahoo.com http://mime1.gtri.gatech.edu/imb/people/larry.html

  2. Najjar Background • 19 years design experience • US air traffic control system • Wearable computers • Home Depot online store • NASCAR.com • Accessibility • Ph.D. engineering psychology

  3. What is “Usability?”

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. Web Usability Challenges?

  7. 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)

  8. Web Usability Suggestions?

  9. 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

  10. Cellular Telephone Usability Challenges?

  11. Cellular Telephone Usability Challenges • Tiny display • Generally monochrome display • Small number of common keys • Slow download time • Broken connections • Usually touch input • Disabled users

  12. Cellular Telephone Usability Suggestions?

  13. 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.

  14. Wearable Computer Usability Challenges?

  15. Wearable Computer Usability Challenges • Small size • Light weight • Small display • Often hands-free input (e.g., voice recognition) • Mobile users

  16. Wearable Computer Suggestions?

  17. Wearable Computer Suggestions • Provide voice input/output • Design simple, customized user interface • Use rechargeable batteries • Provide tailorability • Use wireless network connection

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

  19. Lawrence Najjar lawrence_najjar@yahoo.com http://mime1.gtri.gatech.edu/imb/people/larry.html

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