User Research - Mobile Usability Testing - Summary
By Yaro Brock
Mobile devices are different from standard computer technology in that they are transportable and wearable. This makes them more challenging to design and test because it adds complexity. The following review looks at some of the issues that need to be considered when developing and testing mobile devices and software.
Opportunities
Mobile devices meet the user’s needs in a way that no other device before them has. The next generation of mobile devices and software can be created with a sense of context that will allow them to meet the needs of users in a more satisfying way than the current generation. As designers and testers learn more about the relationship between the physical and social world in relation to the use of a device, they will be better able to implement interaction that will result in user satisfaction.
Challenges
Added complexity can also result in increased difficulty for testers and developers. Understanding the mobile context of a device can be an overwhelming task. Testing devices in all contexts is impossible, especially when considering the different factors such as location, social context, and situation. Using labs to simulate real life situations is a way of meeting these challenges, but it requires creativity on the part of testers to encourage participants to imagine situations and places that mobile devices might be used.
Future Research Areas
Future work might seek for a way to limit the understanding of context so that it can be used without overwhelming the testers. Much effort needs to be put into finding technology that can track the user’s use of equipment without the conspicuous device impacting the experience. Also, further work on creating questionnaires that are built into devices or accessed through devices would likely prove superior to paper questionnaires that are currently being used.