Touch Screen Related Issues Computer Science Essay

Published Date: 02 Nov 2017

Contents

Introduction

Regardless of how one measures it, cell phone usage and production are growing. Moreover, the combination of cloud computing, omnipresent broadband and cheaper mobile devices like mini tablets has started to change almost all properties of our lifestyles. It seems perfectly possible that soon mobile phones will replace desktop computers as at least prime way for gaining access to the internet.

To catch up with this swiftly changing technological landscape, both designers and developers must begin thinking about mobile devices as an equivalent of a desktop computer rather than treating mobile devices as mere part-time minor substitutes for desktop computers. Observing that there are many differences between mobile and desktop computing devices, one should not be surprised to experience that inventing interfaces for mobiles is relatively very different than making for the desktop.

In order to find the issues regarding mobile interfaces development some research was conducted online and the following issues were discovered:

App visibility issue:

Often mobile device users are observed to have a plethora of apps stored on their devices. The icons of many of these apps appear attractive when viewed individually but when viewed in a group they tend to "disappear". The reason is that many app icons are brightly colored and they do not represent what they stand for. The icon needs to be perceived by designers as a visiting card given to a new customer rather than perceiving it as an art piece. The icon needs to be a literal representation of what the app does while text should be as less as possible. Moreover, a nice icon which stands out among all other icons suggests that the app is worthy of being used and spent money on.

Touch screen related issues:

Although, one often comes across terms like ‘finger this" and "finger that" however in reality majority of the users tend to use their thumbs instead of their other four fingers. The reason is that it becomes difficult to hold a device (such as a mini 7 inches long tablet computer) with one hand and then it is next to impossible to get a finger on the screen. Moreover, even while the user holds the device using both hands he/she is likely to use thumbs for typing.

Furthermore, even if the thumbs are used for touching the screen by most users, since people have different sized thumbs it is difficult for people with above-average thumb size to target the tiny regions of mobile devices. The ideal number for a user interface to be thumb friendly might be 44 pixels. It is also a good idea to position vital targets relative to each other. For instance, placing the send button close to backspace button could result in user pressing backspace instead of send just because he/she has a larger thumb or is in a hurry. In addition to the placement of buttons, it is also important to know auto-correct can become really frustrating for users. Each input field must be considered twice before being chosen and the user must be given the option to decide the auto entry alternatives which he/she wants to activate.

There are apps which require a lot of typing. If any developer’s app needs plenty of typing, then the developer must ensure that the app adopts landscape placement (screen rotation) specifically for fat-thumbed users.

Different categories of users

To develop a suitable user experience it must be found out what the user is like and what he/she does. To start to perceive themselves as users, designers and developers need to take into consideration three primary mobile contexts. Some users are bored, while others are simply too busy and then there are some who are just lost.

The bored users are those who are using their mobile devices in the comfort of their homes. In this scenario, users are delighted by pleasant experiences they have with apps and since they have the time they rather try accomplishing challenging tasks which are fun instead of buying upgrades from stores. Such users are most interested in games since they often have a lot of spare time to keep collecting points. A typical game which will fascinate such bored users is Temple Run. However, this does not mean that such users never get interrupted. It is very much possible that while one lies on the couch playing Angry Birds that the doorbell rings and hence the user has to pause the game. Therefore, app developers and interfaces must be highly capable of allowing users to continue from where they left without any glitches.

As far as the busy users are concerned they are the ones who typically have very little time for fun due to hectic professional and family lives. For them the ability to finish really small tasks within few seconds instead of the usual minutes and accurately with only one hand in a frantic environment is vital. It is important for interface designers and developers to remember that the user will not have enough time to locate vital targets on the screen and so larger than usual targets and cognizant designs are a must. Examples of such vital apps include email, weather app, calendar, news alert apps, flight schedule related apps and banking.

Moreover, there are simply lost users who are in an unfamiliar environment and travelling from one place to another. In this situation, conserving of battery and remaining connected to friends and family remains vital but at the same time there can be internet connectivity issues due to non-availability of Wi-Fi service. Consequently, interface developers and designer must make apps which do not drain the battery of its charge and offer commendable offline support (Thomas, 2012). Apps which might be needed in such instances are maps, apps which provide movie and product reviews.

The existence of so many users makes it essential for developers and designers to first identify their target audience and its habits. Once, identification has been completed apps often used by the target audience must be used by the developers and designers themselves. Moreover, reading reviews of these apps on multiple platforms like Windows, iOS and Android can prove to be vital in avoiding similar problems in the new apps developed.

Practical versus open-ended view

At this time a large number of mobile devices and apps are available in the market and are either very hands-on or relatively vague in terms of utility (i.e. the user decides how to use the app creatively). The hands-on approach often results in not so worth remembering experiences. For instance, how exciting could it ever get to view a weather update on the weather widget on a smart phone? Then there are apps like Facebook Messenger which allow users to decide how to best utilize their basic functionality. Such apps could be stated as having an open-ended view with regards to functionality. The experience users have with such widgets and apps depends on how creatively they can think. To make experiences more pleasant such apps could contain suggestions for usage which helps users in focusing on certain tasks and making the app’s overall usefulness higher. (Hassenzahl, 2013) .

Windows 8(WP 8) analysis

After Windows phone 7 Microsoft launched Windows phone 8 on October 29th, 2012, and similar to WP 7, WP 8 utilizes the interface called Metro (Modern UI). Nokia partnered with Microsoft in early 2011 consequently making Windows Phone the major OS for upcoming Nokia Smartphones (Arthur, 2012). Moreover, WP 8 devices have also been made by Samsung and HTC (Hatchimonji, 2012).

Features

Core

WP 8 supports multi-core CPUs till 64 cores along with resolutions as high as 1280x720 and 1280x768 (Eadicicco, 2012), This has made watching movies a more pleasant experience. Furthermore, WP 8 provides support for Micro SD cards. Consequently, there is greater space for data storage. Moreover, the NT kernel has enabled WP 8 to allow original 128-bit encryption, support NTFS file system and Secure Boot.

User interface & Live Tiles

The Live tiles are similar to the widgets in Android. They update themselves and provide on-the-go information. Moreover, they could be placed on the home screen and their sizes could be adjusted hence making one live tile stand out from the less important ones. This also facilitates users with large thumbs who have problems making contact with smaller targets on the screen. The designers have done a great job by adding this resizing option for the users.

Moreover, apps could be shared conveniently from the App list. To do this user needs to press and hold onto the app. Once done, users see the available options to uninstall, review or attach to the home screen or to share it via email or SMS. There is no more need to go back in the app store, search for the app and then share it.

Multitasking

Unfortunately, just like WP 7, WP 8 also does not actually support multi-tasking for apps made by third-parties hence creating frustration for users. Although, WP 8 and applications pre-installed by Microsoft/ trusted partners on a mobile device can multi-task apps but third parties cannot multi-task. Moreover, any user can press and hold the Back button to switch between active tasks, but then any app which is listed as partially active may not be running. Consequently, the user might have to be patient enough for the app to continue, on the selection, from its paused state. This primarily results in a poor user experience compared with Android OS 4.0 or higher. Lastly, to make things even more frustrating any app may be paused or stopped by WP 8 at any time.

Kids Corner

WP 8 has a user account called Kids Corner which functions more like a guest’s account. Once, Kids Corner has been activated, only apps and games on the mobile device could be opened whereas the data created by the main user remains inaccessible.

Rooms

Rooms are another feature included primarily for group communication. Using Rooms, one can stay in touch with and observe FB and Twitter updates from group activity of the members.

Data Sense

It is a new feature which helps in allowing users to limit usage of storage capacity. Once, the limit is about to get crossed background data is limited while a heart icon is displayed to show the user when passive processes are being stopped by Data Sense. Moreover, any information sent to the mobile device from the internet is compressed by Data Sense by using storage on the cloud. Furthermore, Data Sense can also assist in locating Wi-Fi spots in order to transfer data from overloaded with data mobile device to the cloud. However, this brilliant new feature is not there on all mobile devices yet.

By managing storage capacity effectively Data Sense eliminates the need to get a Micro SD card hence enabling the user to save money.

NFC and Wallet

By utilizing a feature known as "Tap and Send" WP 8 and NFC feature permit transferring of data between two WP mobile devices, or among a WP device, and a computer running on Windows 8. The ease of data transfer from WP 8 mobiles to computers on WP 8 is bound to attract the PC users and make them use both Windows 8 and WP 8 devices.

In some markets, by saving credit/debit card information on mobile devices NFC feature can be conveniently used to do business related exchanges. The NFC feature can be activated via SIM or internal hardware. Wallet can be utilized for purchasing apps and their upgrades from the Windows Phone Store while the app is running. Moreover, the wallet could also be used for storing loyalty card coupons. This is very helpful for users who are e-shoppers and the wallet is very similar to one Google has.

Other Features

The great thing about WP 8 is that it has attempted establishing a link between various Microsoft products specifically the Xbox. There is Xbox Music which provides free music for a month. Then there is Xbox Smart Glass which permits users to control an Xbox 360 using their phone (Also available on iOS and Android). However, few essential features have not been included in WP 8. These include something as basic as a notification center which tells users the subject and sender of a message on FB, any other FB notification, etc. The absence of notification center is being compensated by a lock screen which displays up to 5 different kinds of notifications. These include things like mails received, calls missed, next calendar appointments, new messages received, etc.

Problems

Moreover, there are some problems with WP 8. Some of these have been resolved while others continue to exist.

• Videos which have a size larger than 4GB get corrupted during transfer to the computer.

• There is a storage section called "other" which increases until the mobile device has no storage memory left. There is only one method to free that space and this method is to delete all the data on the phone by using a manufacturing data reset.

• In the past there was a random rebooting problem which has been solved (Condliffe, 2012).

Conclusion

WP 8 is a positive initiative taken by Microsoft. If Microsoft launches its own smartphone with the next edition it is even going to be better. Example of Microsoft Surface to provide a basic device for using Windows 8 is relevant in this case. Moreover, multitasking needs to be enabled for third party apps and focus should remain on converting mobile phones and tablet computers into perfect replacements of desktop computers.