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: Mobile Ethnography Mobile Usability Mobile User Testing
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2 Responses to The Importance of Context
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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
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…