Complex User Interface design for mobile phones

via SymbianOne.com I found and read this interesting article about  the complexity of modern smartphone UIs and argues for a return to simplicity :

..... the mobile phone has progressively become a dumping ground for any and all newly-commoditised technologies that were previously the domain of dedicated devices. Cameras, FM radios, digital audio players, and now even televisions are being included in handsets whose traditional core purpose was the handling of voice calls and text messaging.

The inclusion of all this new technology is not a problem in itself. Rather, the problem lies in the way in which all these functions are made available to users. Features of secondary importance are often placed at the same level of interaction as the features that are key to the device's core purpose. Even worse, the device's core purpose has often not been identified in the first place - is it a camera, a phone, a PDA or a Web tablet? Should it be easier to answer a call or take a snapshot? During my work in the field, I have even heard someone suggest removing a new phone's Send and End keys in order to promote the device's multimedia 'identity,' with complete disregard to the phone user's need to, well, make and answer calls quickly.

This may be why today's mobile market seems to be flooded by complex devices without any specifically identifiable 'soul': Frankenstein-like hybrids assembled from the body parts of other devices, afflicted by bizarre key layouts, deeply nested menus, and Byzantine user journeys. These devices have little discernible prioritisation of purpose, and their interfaces fail to account for the fact that not all features are used equally. They end up sacrificing good design at the altar of have-it-all technology.

Read the full article.

Comments

[Eric Holm]

The link leads to a "Restricted Area"

[Mike M]

After owning 2 top o the range smartphones I have reverted to using a cheap and cheerful Plastic Nokia that makes phonecalls and does text messages.

The battery life lasts me over a week as oppose to a day

It charges in about 10 mins as oppose to 4 hours

And its pretty indistructable - to be honest I feel liberated.

[Kent Gibson]

your blog is in the Zoo under:

Top/Computers/Multimedia/Software/Macromedia_Flash/Resources

if you would like to change your category, just tell me.

http://www.bigblogzoo.com