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Providing proper affordances when transferring source metaphors from information appliances to a 3G mobile multipurpose handset

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Abstract

The idea of merging different information appliances, each tailored to fit a specific task, into a multipurpose 3G mobile handset has become an interesting research area. This paper describes what considerations must be met from an efficiency point of view when designing a multipurpose handset concept including, e.g., camera functionality. The lessons learned when trading well-known previously acquired source metaphors for the “computer metaphor” was investigated in a small usability evaluation with 14 users, evaluating a multipurpose prototype. High task accuracy (effectiveness) was obtained (72% pass), but the efficiency with which the tasks were performed compared to using dedicated information appliances was low. Leaving out well-known affordances effectively prevented transfer of previously acquired source metaphors, which resulted in lack of feedback, inconsistency and errors. In order to validate usability, a combination of both objective and subjective metrics has to be used.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Usability & Interaction Lab, Ericsson AB, Torshamnsgatan 23, 16480 Kista, Sweden

    Mikael Goldstein, Marcus Nyberg & Mikael Anneroth

Authors
  1. Mikael Goldstein
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  2. Marcus Nyberg
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  3. Mikael Anneroth
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Correspondence to Mikael Goldstein.

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Goldstein, M., Nyberg, M. & Anneroth, M. Providing proper affordances when transferring source metaphors from information appliances to a 3G mobile multipurpose handset. Pers Ubiquit Comput 7, 372–380 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00779-003-0252-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00779-003-0252-9

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