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February 2001 Genie Application Style Guide 5
2
Chapter 2 Usability Design
Philosophies
Keep in mind a few design philosophies when building an application for a WAP browser
phone. The user’s experience with an application may determine whether or how often the
user revisits the application.
■ Usability is critical.
Device constraints limit both navigation and the amount of content that a handheld
device can display; further, data entry may be difficult. Take extra care to make the
application usable in this constrained environment, or users will not use it.
■ Most devices are phones first.
Most devices on the market today have added the browser as an afterthought. Neither
the hardware nor the user interface reflects reasoned planning for the browser from
the inception. Some features may be more difficult to use on one phone than another.
■ Mobile handsets will be used for information retrieval, not browsing.
Users of WAP browsers will not “browse the Web,” as they do with a PC, because the
amount and nature of content is scaled down for the handheld device. Phone
applications will most commonly be used for quick information retrieval, not for
general browsing and research. Phone users tend to be less technical and in more of a
hurry to get to the data they seek.
■ A phone is not a PC.
The phone has features that a PC does not, such as the ability to integrate voice, data,
and alert features. Design applications that address user interaction models, screen
size, and screen context. When designing the UI, keep in mind that there is greater
variability among phones than PCs.
■ Airtime costs money.
Most networks charge the user by the minute for browsing on the phone. Assume that
users will avoid expensive browsing sessions.
■ Minimise or avoid text entry.
Entering text on the phone keypad is tedious. Try to use alternative methods, such as
remembering previously entered text or data, personalization, and selection lists.
■ Most users will avoid complex applications.
Applications must be well organised with a shallow menu structure so that the user
can get to the value quickly.