Handheld Usability [Paperback]

Offering an overview of usability, testing, and information architecture for EPOC, WAP, PDAs, handhelds, and handsets, this how–to guide dives into the details about medium–specific issues and design strategies.
∗ Discusses designing for the current wireless platforms: cellular phones and PDAs
∗ Covers both stand alone as well as Web–based application design
∗ Contains a case study of a usability test

Handheld devices cannot be designed simply as copies of their desktop counterparts; they have smaller displays, trickier input mechanisms, less memory, reduced storage capacity, and less powerful operating systems. Understanding the specific challenges of technology on the move is the first step towards designing great products for handheld devices.

Handheld Usability is a practical, hands–on guide to designing interfaces for handheld, electronic computing and communication devices, including e–mail pagers, Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) and mobile telephone handsets.

This book will give you the skills you need to:

∗ Understand the types of handheld devices and their differences

∗ Design user interfaces for handheld devices

∗ Design user interfaces for the wireless Web (WAP)

∗ Prototype user interfaces for handheld devices ⋅

∗ Conduct usability tests on prototypes and live, handheld product applications
Don′t reinvent the wheel!

The lack of standardization in interface design doesn′t mean that you have to start from scratch every time. This ′plain English′ guide will help you to plan your own usability tests as part of the design and development process, and let you learn from insights on design gained from real life experience.

With so many handheld devices to choose from, usability can be a very powerful distinguishing factor. Well designed products mean happy users, and satisfied customers become loyal customers. With the help of Handheld Usability you can give the customer what they want, and get it right first time.

SCOTT WEISS, Principal of Usable Products Company, is an Information Architect. Scott′s design work can be seen on more than 90% of computer desktops worldwide, including elements of both Macintosh and Windows 95. He chairs the New York City chapter of ACM′s SIG CHI, the Special Interest Group on Computer Human Interaction. He also chairs the New York New Media Association′s Design Special Interest Group, and has taught for the Digital Design MFA program at Parsons′ New School.

Usable Products Company (www.usableproducts.com) is an ease of use agency that conducts usability studies and designs information architecture for desktop and handheld web sites, software, and hardware products.