The Importance of Context

Kelly Goto on the importance of context & iterative testing cycles:

“Traveling through a remote area in the south of Spain has caused me to rethink the importance of context in the mobile user experience. Without an active internet connection (only available through a much-used public hotel lobby) I have started to rely on my mobile as more than just a business tool or communication device - it is a lifeline. I have been able to recieve urgent SMS messages and email through my P910a and it has offered much comfort knowing I can reach my colleagues, friends and family at any time. Context is the missing piece of most testing and research methods, because during a normal usability test or a short interview, it is impossible to gain insight on the true emotional impact and lifestyle needs the mobile device has on it’s owner.”

Tags:

social bookmarks:
  • del.icio.us
  • Ma.gnolia
  • YahooMyWeb
  • Digg
  • Slashdot
  • StumbleUpon
  • Technorati
  • co.mments
  • E-mail this story to a friend!
  • Facebook
  • Google
  • LinkedIn
  • Meneame
  • MySpace
  • Ping.fm
  • SphereIt
  • Tumblr
  • TwitThis

2 Responses to “The Importance of Context”  

  1. 1 Anonymous

    I think the same can be said for the internet. It took a long time for design and usability to evolve. It seems like the mobile internet will evolve more quickly than the “regular” internet did. I think part of the problem is that most people still don’t realize that the mobile internet is just like the “regular” internet. It’s got a certain mystery attached to it that will dissipate over time, just like the “regular” internet did 8-10 years ago.

    - Jackie Peters
    CCO, Heavybag Media

  2. 2 Rudy De Waele

    Thanks for your comment, Jackie.

    I don’t agree the mobile internet will be the same as the “regular” internet, the mobile has a lot of different triggers and contextual elements to consider to activate the user/consumer into a dialogue or action through the mobile web.

    Integrated actions such as mobile search, click to call, RSS to SMS, services build around locations, etc. have each a different context as to the creation of the “mobile” web-pages. The difference of context has to be understood to create effective and compelling new online services for the mobile.

    Seamless integration of existing web services with/and mobile web services has to be taken into acccount to.

    IP Telephony is where the future lies for mobile telephony but that future is still a couple of years away. Meanwhile businesses just can’t go along with the “just view my web” with a mobile web browser, there’s a lot more to consider…


About

You are currently browsing the mTrends - mobile media lifestyle trends - m-trends.org weblog archives.

Contact:

Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner

www.flickr.com
random0's items Go to random0's photostream