Posts Tagged: pda

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8
Oct 06

Text input methods, again

Little Springs Design has put together a nice summary of different text input methods for mobile devices, including different hardware and software solutions.

“We have categorized various text input mechanisms for mobile devices based on usage scenario. We count not just the number of hands needed to press keys on the device, but also the number of hands and surfaces needed to control the device. Hence, a full-sized QWERTY keyboard is a two-handed device that requires a surface. We’ve included voice (speech recognition) as a separate category here.”

Link: Text Input on Mobile Devices (littlespringsdesign.com)

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13
Apr 06

Book: Mobile Interaction Design

From the first chapter of Mobile Interaction Design, by Matt Jones.

“Perhaps, though, the real issue is not whether mobile devices should focus mainly on communication or information processing. There is a broader concern – should one device try to do everything for a user or should there be specialized tools, each carefully crafted to support a particular type of activity? This is the debate over the value of an ‘appliance attitude’ in mobile design. Should we focus on simple, activity-centered devices – ones that might well combine task-specific communication and information facilities – or look to providing a ‘Swiss Army Knife’ that has every communication and information management feature a manufacturer can pack into it?”

Link: Mobile Interaction Design (Chapter 1 PDF 2.8MB, wiley.com)

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13
Apr 06

The future of the PDA

“The problem which PDAs will still face, even once they follow this trend and become cheaper and more simple, is that people are not going to want to carry multiple devices with them. Despite what the Z22 has to offer, many consumer will opt to use another product, despite it being a good deal more complex, so that they will not be weighed done with electronics. The last bastion of PDA users may become those people who do not own a high-end phone or carry a laptop with them for work.”

Link: The Future of the PDA (xyzcomputing.com)

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20
Mar 06

Extract of “Designing for Small Screens”

A short extract from the book “Designing for Small Screens”.

“Physical interaction Interaction with small-screen devices reveals the conflict of interests between creating the smallest physical size that will give the user unrestricted mobility and flexibility, whilst maintaining dimensions that are defined by the size and the motor functions of the human hand. The balance is not always achieved and some devices are already smaller than the minimum size that can be comfortably operated by an adult hand. There are two fundamental types of physical interaction that can be distinguished: one-handed and two-handed interaction. Some devices can only be operated with two hands, for example, the Game Boy, whilst other devices offer different modes that can be selected alternately. Smart phones, for example allow the user to dial numbers with one hand, but interaction for more complex applications such as using the calendar or accessing the internet is done with two hands.”

Link: Feature: Designing for Small Screens (usabilitynews.com)

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18
Mar 06

Windows Mobile design guidelines

A short Microsoft white paper describing Windows Mobile 5.0 design guidelines.

“Following a summary of the new UI features in Windows Mobile 5.0, the article launches into the heart of the issue—suggested design rules and guidelines. The proper use of soft keys, dialog boxes, and notification bubbles is covered in detail. Finally, screen orientation and the problems of multiple resolutions are covered.”

Link: Designing Windows Mobile 5.0 application UIs (windowsfordevices.com)

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16
May 05

History of PDAs

“The purpose of this document is to be a comprehensive timeline of the history of PDAs. Specifically, my intention is to clarify which companies premiered each of the primary front-end features that are considered standard in modern devices, as of the mid/late-1990s commoditization trend.”

Link: The evolution of the PDA: 1975 – 1995