Cool stuff and UX resources

< Back to newsletters

Introduction

Near field communication (NFC) is a short-range wireless technology that allows users to connect devices and access content and services by simply holding enabled devices near each other.

Once NFC chips are integrated into devices, a host of new applications can be built that can:

  • Pay for goods and services
  • Help people access such things as public transport, office buildings, or their cars
  • Download music, videos, and discount coupons from smart posters
  • Share content such as music, videos and photographs
  • exchange business cards

A few Android smartphones already support NFC and Microsoft and Apple are expected to integrate NFC in the phones to be launched in late 2012.

According to a recent study, one-third of iPhone users indicated that they were “likely” or “very likely” to use mobile payments. Analysis from Juniper Research states that the NFC mobile payments market will exceed $75 billion globally by 2013, when 20% of all phones shipped will possess NFC capability.

With these developments, a flurry of NFC enabled apps is expected to hit the market. Anokwa, Borriello, Pering and Want contend that since NFC can be used both for simple interactions like touching a secure door with a cell phone to gain access, and for more complex scenarios such as buying a movie ticket. Without a user model in place, NFC enabled applications may end up a mix of poorly thought out interfaces without a unifying interaction model.

Figure1

Usability framework for mobile designs

Constantinos Coursaris and Dan Kim argue that “usability is a more important issue for mobile technology than for other areas, because many mobile applications remain difficult to use, lack flexibility, and lack robustness” (A Meta-Analytical Review of Empirical Mobile Usability Studies, Journal of Usability Studies, May 2011). They highlight challenges such as small screens and non-traditional input methods, among others.

To help improve the focus on mobile devices, they extended discussions and frameworks proposed by Han et al. (2001) and Kwahk and Han (2002) to create a contextual usability framework for mobile computing environments:

The concept of “Context” is not new to any of us in the field, but two elements of the framework deserve special attention.

First, they explicitly used “Technology,” rather than “product” or “device” because mobile devices fit within a larger ecosystem of technology. The wireless or data network impacts the user experience with the device and its applications. The application iTunes on the user’s laptop influences their interaction with their iPhone or iPad.

Secondly, “Environment” is a critical factor. In their qualitative review of 100 empirical mobile usability studies, only 11% of studies explored factors as they relate to the environment. Coursaris and Kim see a huge opportunity to study environmental characteristics:

“For example, little is known about the impact of collocation (i.e., a mobile user being in physical proximity to other individuals) on the use of a mobile device (e.g., which types of applications are more likely to be used when alone vs. collocated with familiar or unfamiliar individuals).”

This is fascinating given that a primary purpose of mobile devices is to be used in a non-sedentary environment that involves interacting with (or at least being in the proximity of) other individuals. Studying real users in the real world (conducting real tasks) can be daunting, which is likely why many researchers fall back on controlling as many variables as possible. Conducting research in a lab has many benefits, not least of which is the ability to easily collect the actual measures of the “Usability Dimensions.”

Our challenge then, as researchers, is to determine how we can extend our research to these more realistic situations, whether those are “mocked up” in a complex lab setting or using some other research technique.

Some of the research that Coursaris and Kim analyzed included lab settings with environmental conditions, such as participants walking on treadmills, walking along paths and obstacle courses, and high vs. low light conditions. Other approaches include prototype interfaces where user behavior can be tracked while they are “in the field.” Self-report or diaries from users in the real world is another approach.

A framework for self-reporting on mobile designs

In their research on mobile business services, Vuolle et al. worked to develop a questionnaire to measure the user experience of mobile designs (Developing a Questionnaire for Measuring Mobile Business Service Experience, MobileHCI 2008). By definition, it is based on users’ self-reports about their mobile experiences, but it does provide another useful framework consisting of three dimensions:

  1. Perceived usability of a mobile business service
  2. Fit for mobile working context
  3. Perceived impact on mobile work productivity

In their research, they saw distinct differences based on users and their contexts of use. For example, differences were found between the responses of knowledge workers as compared to taxi drivers.

Knowledge workers generally had more control over their environment, so “amount of attention needed” and “simplicity of use” were less critical, as well as control over environmental weather effects. Taxi drivers operate their mobile devices while on the move (yikes!) and cannot choose the environmental context. However, knowledge workers can move to avoid glare from the sun or come in out of the rain.

Vuolle et al. developed their MoBiS-Q questionnaire tool to help evaluate mobile designs in the real world. They recognize that the main benefits of a questionnaire approach are “efficiency and scale.”

Recognizing this value, it is also important to remember that the best data is performance data:

Figure2

Conclusion

Whatever approach we follow, we should leverage the framework Coursaris and Kim propose:

  1. Choose the Usability Dimensions we want to address in our designs
  2. Acknowledge and respect the Context
  3. Ensure we have clear usability goals (Consequence of Usability)

In the end, this all serves as a reminder that we need to look at the users in their context. As often as we remind ourselves that we are not the users, even when we sit behind a desktop in a cubicle, just like them, we need to remind ourselves that we are not the user of the mobile applications either. We need to understand them and their context of use to deliver the most usable and useful solutions.

References

Coursaris, C.K. and Kim, D. (2011). A meta-analytical review of empirical mobile usability studies. Journal of Usability Studies, Vol. 6, Issue 3, May 2011, pp. 117-171.

Han, S.H., Yun, M.H., Kwahk, J., and Hong, S.W. (2001). Usability of consumer electronic products. International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, 28(3-4), 143-151.

Kwahk, J., & Han, S.H. (2002). A methodology for evaluating the usability of audiovisual consumer electronic products. Applied Ergonomics, 33, 419-431.

Vuolle, M., Kallio, T., Kulju, M., Tiainen, M., Vainio, T., and Wigelius, H. (2008). Developing a questionnaire for measuring mobile business service experience. MobileHCI 2008, Sept. 2-5, 2008, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

http://mobis.cs.tut.fi/toolsmob.php?navID=tools&subID=mobq

Message from the CEO, Dr. Eric Schaffer — The Pragmatic Ergonomist

Leave a comment here

Reader comments

Laxmidhar V. Gaopande
Rolta India Limited

This article is very interesting and brings out key facts one should keep in his mind in mobile applications design. The video is excellent.

Shital Desai

Does the UX and Usability framework remain same for a responsive design? How do we carry out responsive design process?

Pablo Gonzalez
Squiggly Marketing

It's a great article. Just a simple question: Why HFI doesn't have a Mobile Optimized website? Actually, I checked this site on web.archive.org and it's design and functionality didn't change since 2010. It's time to put in practice what you preach, don't you agree?

Subscribe

Sign up to get our Newsletter delivered straight to your inbox

Follow us

© 1996-2018 Human Factors International, Inc. All rights reserved | Privacy policy | Terms and conditions for public training courses

Privacy policy

Reviewed: 18 Mar 2014

This Privacy Policy governs the manner in which Human Factors International, Inc., an Iowa corporation (“HFI”) collects, uses, maintains and discloses information collected from users (each, a “User”) of its humanfactors.com website and any derivative or affiliated websites on which this Privacy Policy is posted (collectively, the “Website”). HFI reserves the right, at its discretion, to change, modify, add or remove portions of this Privacy Policy at any time by posting such changes to this page. You understand that you have the affirmative obligation to check this Privacy Policy periodically for changes, and you hereby agree to periodically review this Privacy Policy for such changes. The continued use of the Website following the posting of changes to this Privacy Policy constitutes an acceptance of those changes.

Cookies

HFI may use “cookies” or “web beacons” to track how Users use the Website. A cookie is a piece of software that a web server can store on Users’ PCs and use to identify Users should they visit the Website again. Users may adjust their web browser software if they do not wish to accept cookies. To withdraw your consent after accepting a cookie, delete the cookie from your computer.

Privacy

HFI believes that every User should know how it utilizes the information collected from Users. The Website is not directed at children under 13 years of age, and HFI does not knowingly collect personally identifiable information from children under 13 years of age online. Please note that the Website may contain links to other websites. These linked sites may not be operated or controlled by HFI. HFI is not responsible for the privacy practices of these or any other websites, and you access these websites entirely at your own risk. HFI recommends that you review the privacy practices of any other websites that you choose to visit.

HFI is based, and this website is hosted, in the United States of America. If User is from the European Union or other regions of the world with laws governing data collection and use that may differ from U.S. law and User is registering an account on the Website, visiting the Website, purchasing products or services from HFI or the Website, or otherwise using the Website, please note that any personally identifiable information that User provides to HFI will be transferred to the United States. Any such personally identifiable information provided will be processed and stored in the United States by HFI or a service provider acting on its behalf. By providing your personally identifiable information, User hereby specifically and expressly consents to such transfer and processing and the uses and disclosures set forth herein.

In the course of its business, HFI may perform expert reviews, usability testing, and other consulting work where personal privacy is a concern. HFI believes in the importance of protecting personal information, and may use measures to provide this protection, including, but not limited to, using consent forms for participants or “dummy” test data.

The Information HFI Collects

Users browsing the Website without registering an account or affirmatively providing personally identifiable information to HFI do so anonymously. Otherwise, HFI may collect personally identifiable information from Users in a variety of ways. Personally identifiable information may include, without limitation, (i)contact data (such as a User’s name, mailing and e-mail addresses, and phone number); (ii)demographic data (such as a User’s zip code, age and income); (iii) financial information collected to process purchases made from HFI via the Website or otherwise (such as credit card, debit card or other payment information); (iv) other information requested during the account registration process; and (v) other information requested by our service vendors in order to provide their services. If a User communicates with HFI by e-mail or otherwise, posts messages to any forums, completes online forms, surveys or entries or otherwise interacts with or uses the features on the Website, any information provided in such communications may be collected by HFI. HFI may also collect information about how Users use the Website, for example, by tracking the number of unique views received by the pages of the Website, or the domains and IP addresses from which Users originate. While not all of the information that HFI collects from Users is personally identifiable, it may be associated with personally identifiable information that Users provide HFI through the Website or otherwise. HFI may provide ways that the User can opt out of receiving certain information from HFI. If the User opts out of certain services, User information may still be collected for those services to which the User elects to subscribe. For those elected services, this Privacy Policy will apply.

How HFI Uses Information

HFI may use personally identifiable information collected through the Website for the specific purposes for which the information was collected, to process purchases and sales of products or services offered via the Website if any, to contact Users regarding products and services offered by HFI, its parent, subsidiary and other related companies in order to otherwise to enhance Users’ experience with HFI. HFI may also use information collected through the Website for research regarding the effectiveness of the Website and the business planning, marketing, advertising and sales efforts of HFI. HFI does not sell any User information under any circumstances.

Disclosure of Information

HFI may disclose personally identifiable information collected from Users to its parent, subsidiary and other related companies to use the information for the purposes outlined above, as necessary to provide the services offered by HFI and to provide the Website itself, and for the specific purposes for which the information was collected. HFI may disclose personally identifiable information at the request of law enforcement or governmental agencies or in response to subpoenas, court orders or other legal process, to establish, protect or exercise HFI’s legal or other rights or to defend against a legal claim or as otherwise required or allowed by law. HFI may disclose personally identifiable information in order to protect the rights, property or safety of a User or any other person. HFI may disclose personally identifiable information to investigate or prevent a violation by User of any contractual or other relationship with HFI or the perpetration of any illegal or harmful activity. HFI may also disclose aggregate, anonymous data based on information collected from Users to investors and potential partners. Finally, HFI may disclose or transfer personally identifiable information collected from Users in connection with or in contemplation of a sale of its assets or business or a merger, consolidation or other reorganization of its business.

Personal Information as Provided by User

If a User includes such User’s personally identifiable information as part of the User posting to the Website, such information may be made available to any parties using the Website. HFI does not edit or otherwise remove such information from User information before it is posted on the Website. If a User does not wish to have such User’s personally identifiable information made available in this manner, such User must remove any such information before posting. HFI is not liable for any damages caused or incurred due to personally identifiable information made available in the foregoing manners. For example, a User posts on an HFI-administered forum would be considered Personal Information as provided by User and subject to the terms of this section.

Security of Information

Information about Users that is maintained on HFI’s systems or those of its service providers is protected using industry standard security measures. However, no security measures are perfect or impenetrable, and HFI cannot guarantee that the information submitted to, maintained on or transmitted from its systems will be completely secure. HFI is not responsible for the circumvention of any privacy settings or security measures relating to the Website by any Users or third parties.

Correcting, Updating, Accessing or Removing Personal Information

If a User’s personally identifiable information changes, or if a User no longer desires to receive non-account specific information from HFI, HFI will endeavor to provide a way to correct, update and/or remove that User’s previously-provided personal data. This can be done by emailing a request to HFI at hfi@humanfactors.com. Additionally, you may request access to the personally identifiable information as collected by HFI by sending a request to HFI as set forth above. Please note that in certain circumstances, HFI may not be able to completely remove a User’s information from its systems. For example, HFI may retain a User’s personal information for legitimate business purposes, if it may be necessary to prevent fraud or future abuse, for account recovery purposes, if required by law or as retained in HFI’s data backup systems or cached or archived pages. All retained personally identifiable information will continue to be subject to the terms of the Privacy Policy to which the User has previously agreed.

Contacting HFI

If you have any questions or comments about this Privacy Policy, you may contact HFI via any of the following methods:
Human Factors International, Inc.
PO Box 2020
1680 highway 1, STE 3600
Fairfield IA 52556
hfi@humanfactors.com
(800) 242-4480

Terms and Conditions for Public Training Courses

Reviewed: 18 Mar 2014

Cancellation of Course by HFI

HFI reserves the right to cancel any course up to 14 (fourteen) days prior to the first day of the course. Registrants will be promptly notified and will receive a full refund or be transferred to the equivalent class of their choice within a 12-month period. HFI is not responsible for travel expenses or any costs that may be incurred as a result of cancellations.

Cancellation of Course by Participants (All regions except India)

$100 processing fee if cancelling within two weeks of course start date.

Cancellation / Transfer by Participants (India)

4 Pack + Exam registration: Rs. 10,000 per participant processing fee (to be paid by the participant) if cancelling or transferring the course (4 Pack-CUA/CXA) registration before three weeks from the course start date. No refund or carry forward of the course fees if cancelling or transferring the course registration within three weeks before the course start date.

Cancellation / Transfer by Participants (Online Courses)

$100 processing fee if cancelling within two weeks of course start date. No cancellations or refunds less than two weeks prior to the first course start date.

Individual Modules: Rs. 3,000 per participant ‘per module’ processing fee (to be paid by the participant) if cancelling or transferring the course (any Individual HFI course) registration before three weeks from the course start date. No refund or carry forward of the course fees if cancelling or transferring the course registration within three weeks before the course start date.

Exam: Rs. 3,000 per participant processing fee (to be paid by the participant) if cancelling or transferring the pre agreed CUA/CXA exam date before three weeks from the examination date. No refund or carry forward of the exam fees if requesting/cancelling or transferring the CUA/CXA exam within three weeks before the examination date.

No Recording Permitted

There will be no audio or video recording allowed in class. Students who have any disability that might affect their performance in this class are encouraged to speak with the instructor at the beginning of the class.

Course Materials Copyright

The course and training materials and all other handouts provided by HFI during the course are published, copyrighted works proprietary and owned exclusively by HFI. The course participant does not acquire title nor ownership rights in any of these materials. Further the course participant agrees not to reproduce, modify, and/or convert to electronic format (i.e., softcopy) any of the materials received from or provided by HFI. The materials provided in the class are for the sole use of the class participant. HFI does not provide the materials in electronic format to the participants in public or onsite courses.