Background of Usability and
Smartphone Applications:
In
all level of society, the usage of Smartphone becomes a common element and it's
going to be a part of daily routine. Smartphones are considered the most strong
technology used daily. Now almost every second person has a Smartphone and
enjoys its features and technologies with complete understanding. With the
additional developed computing connectivity and capability highly, the Smartphone’s
are present the modern time according to their requirement. The touch-sensitive display is considering
the most extensive method for input. The Smartphone utilize a different
operating system like blackberry, windows phones, iOS and Android. Apple Store
and Google Play offer a different type of applications to people and also
develop a strong market competition for the software developers to produce the
application of high quality. (Usability.gov, 2013)
According
to this point of view, usability is the most significant area according to a
software product. The mode of communication, daily routine tasks and
entertainments are become more advanced due to different technologies
introduced in different applications and Smartphones. In an integrated way,
different digital convergence methods show major inventions that obtain from
different human-computer interaction according to requirement. When the
evaluation occurs of all these different applications according to
human-computer interaction than many different measurements also consider
context data, subjective evaluation and quantitative data.
To
evaluate the usefulness and quality of Smartphone applications, usability is
known as the significant quality dimension. It assesses how simple and the easy
user interface is to use according to its quality attributes. A method of improving
the design of the process is also known as usability. There are normally six
different dimensions that explain the usability with complete understanding and
also offer improved quality. These dimensions are; user satisfaction, error
rate, effectiveness, efficiency, memorability and learnability. So usability
also explains in such terms that usability is an easy way to give learning to
the user that how to operate, inputs prepare for and output of a system
interprets. The usability dimensions consist of two different classifications
according to its dimension requirement. its first classification includes
effectiveness, efficiency and user satisfaction and its second classification
include attractiveness, portability and learnability. These different
dimensions of the usability explain according to four different factors that
include environment, activity, technology and users. There are almost many
different ways to determine the usability of Smartphone’s and their
application. The usability can be determined according to the Smartphone
technology and also establish a compete for the process of interface for the
user. (Gonçalves, 2014)
Some
of the common methods to access the usability include user surveys, system
usability scale measurements, laboratory experiments, field experiment, user
testing and experts review. Different questionnaire related to the usability of
smartphones includes four basic parts that include demographics of Smartphone’s,
customer utilization behaviour of Smartphone’s, customer’s reputation of Smartphone’s
and statistics customer’s preferences for the layout capabilities of Smartphone’s.
As interacting with the smartphones, a huge percentage of the usability issues
the aged customers confronted at the same time as applying a heuristic
evaluation approach using the SMASH turned into shown to be effective in
figuring out. A huge number of problems had been due to problem of the elderly
in performing the gestures which carried out to the corresponding undertaking
the particularly the drag and drop and faucet and keep gestures, and the
usability troubles had been not most effective because of UI designs. For different applications, usability and
user experience is a major quality factor. Through user experience, great focus
given in the hedonic aspects likes fun, emotions and enjoyment. They do not
essential utilization worth but they only meet up the universal needs. (Experienceux.co.uk, 2019)
If an application is difficult to
understand and use than usability s consider as an important factor in using
the application effectively. The software risk of building the wrong product
will reduce when the usability is testing on the right time, in the right
manner and with accurate observation. How to adopt them and consider the
dynamicity of the mobile scenario, usability assessment is crucial so that the
developers learn very well during the evaluation of Smartphones. Several
challenges face by the evaluation of the usability of Smartphone’s applications
according to the potential research context. Because of new restricted features
of mobile phones like unreliable network, varying environmental factors and
limited bandwidth, these all challenges are emerging.
Further
challenges include web connectivity issues, restricted resources, navigation
ignorance and connectivity, limited focus on interface architecture and lack of
usage-based testing and response. For the success of mobile applications, the
technical capabilities of mobile apps and obtain high-level user satisfaction
are important. to make sure that mobile applications are practical, effective
and easy to use, the usability testing of mobile apps is considered as an
important and compulsory process. To support the usable application structure,
a large number of usability guiding principles have been modelled because of
its significance. For the desktop application and web-based applications, these
guiding principles are specially developed. The smartphone application very
much changes as compared to conventional applications because of mobility
nature of Smartphone’s devices. (Shareef1, 2019)
For
the usable Smartphone application, to date, the guiding principles are limited
and isolated. To evaluate the usability of Smartphone’s applications,
complexity and difficulty also added in the Smartphone’s. Usability is the
basic part of every smartphone because by using its all features and its
applications. Make the Smartphone’s need of every person its working and
performance must be moving at the upper level to get all the facilities and
benefits from the Smartphone’s. By following the standard benchmark the study
performs hardware-based evaluation such as display resolution, screen size and
memory size. It also highlights the software related issues like the existence
of online help, use of simple data entry procedures and user guides. Usability
describes the consistency and system usability scale and also explains the
usability at a large number of mobile and their applications for phones and
tablets which use the Mac operating system and Android. The level of enjoyment
with the mobility also explains with the usage of Smartphones according to its
persistence.
The
measurement of usability includes effort expectancy, post usage attitude,
continuous intention, satisfaction and performance expectancy. Different models
are also used to determine the performance of Smartphone’s and also enhance
their credibility and their performance according to new technology
requirements and follow all the new and innovative strategies to support all
the working and data transmission according to user requirement. To measure and
conceptualize the underlying scope of the usability, the attributes of
usability evaluate the branded mobile applications. So usability help to
explain what is the working methodology of the Smartphone’s and how they give
benefit to the organization according to new and innovative requirements and
methodologies. Smartphone’s are more advanced form of conventional phones that
include all the features and facilities that provided to the user according to
their new technological requirements and also handle all the issue related to
data transmission and the performance of Smartphone’s because advanced
technology need advance requirements and measurements according to latest
requirement of the users and also provide all the advanced features.
How is the technology
used in this area, History of tools?
Smartphone's applications are a trending
success ratio nowadays and they are going to increase the working efficiency of
the human being. Using Smartphone applications the work of human being became
quite easy and efficient as well. There are many applications are launched
still and they are growing continuously in becoming more advanced and more
developed to help people and their tasks to be easy and efficient. First, the
thing which was introduced was the Smartphone's but the applications of
smartphones have made the working easier and efficient as well. The
applications have taken the place of all the previous slow working tricks for
the human being by making their work quicker and providing them with more advanced
ideas and tricks as well. (Raza, 2016)
Many of the times it happens that smartphones
have some hidden features that people even do not know exactly and hence they
remain unfamiliar with the after-effects and real benefits of it. Many
different things happen to be with Smartphone's usability if someone used it
properly and hence they are going to manage the things more effectively and
more appropriately. There are many different and unique things that not only
make the work more effective but also increase its working idea more
innovatively in it. Smartphone applications work according to a very well
managed system and it enhances the working efficiency and speed of the working
of human beings that they are the most efficient and most highlighted things
ever in the field of technology. (Rextin, 2018)
This area uses a lot of technological effects
and it is great working for the applications that they use to connect every
single thing for you with great and quick speed and hence makes you work well
and very much appropriately as well. All the actions of the society are going
to be managed and properly maintained although run only because of Smartphone's
usage. Many different and unique things are going to be tackled by the working
of Smartphone's and hence they are going to manage the workings more properly
and more efficiently. This technology is not new but it is enhancing
continuously and taking the world towards a new edge. There are many different
and unique features these technologies have and it is owned by one in every
three citizens according to a statistical data observation. The touch-sensitive
display and the advanced technology used in this aspect is going to make the
world's advancement highly sensitive and to the next level in the world. (Quaresma, 2014)
Cell
phone's applications are a slanting achievement proportion these days and they
are going to build the working productivity of the individual. Utilizing
Smartphone applications crafted by individual turned out to be very simple and
proficient too. There are numerous applications are propelled still and they
are developing constantly in turning out to be further developed and
increasingly produced to help individuals and their errands to be simple and
proficient. In the first place, the thing which was presented was the
Smartphone's nevertheless the utilization of cell phones have made the working
simpler and proficient too. The applications have replaced all the past
moderate working stunts for the person by making their work speedier and giving
them further developed thoughts and deceives also. A large number of the
occasions it happens that cell phones have some shrouded highlights that
individuals even don't know precisely and subsequently they stay new to the
delayed consequences and genuine advantages of it. (Iqbal, 2017)
There is a wide range of things that happen to
be with Smartphone's ease of use if somebody utilized it appropriately and
henceforth they will deal with the things all the more viably and all the more
properly. There are various and one of the kind things that make the work
increasingly successful as well as increment its working thought all the more
creatively in it. Cell phone applications work as indicated by a very much
oversaw framework and it upgrades the working productivity and speed of the
working of people that they are the most proficient and most featured things
ever in the field of innovation. This territory utilizes a ton of mechanical
impacts and it is extraordinary working for the applications that they use to
interface every thing for you with incredible and brisk speed and thus makes
you function admirably and particularly suitably also. (Reynoldson, 2014)
Every
one of the activities of the general public will be overseen and appropriately
kept up even though runs simply because of Smartphone's utilization as it were.
There are various and interesting things that will be handled by the working of
Smartphone's and consequently, they will deal with the functions all the more
appropriately and all the more proficiently. This innovation isn't new yet it
is upgrading ceaselessly and taking the world towards another edge. There is a
wide range of and extraordinary highlights these advancements have and it is
claimed by one in every three residents as indicated by a factual information
perception. The touch-delicate showcase and the cutting edge innovation
utilized in this angle is going to make the world's headway exceptionally
touchy and to the following level on the planet. (Marcus, 2014)
Literature Review of Usability
and Smartphone applications:
What is usability?
As
stated by Shareef (2019) that the Usability is the degree to which something
can do or able to use according to actual requirement. To obtain the targets of
the users, the usability is the measure of the potential of the product
according to basic requirements. This term is normally used according to
software applications and websites according to information technology but
sometimes it can also be used according to accomplish a task of any product
this is used daily. For the evolution of the technology, in determining the
product usability different factors are used it explains the process, visual consistency
explains and eases of use for all the products explain. For web developers, the
usability of websites is going to be a major issue. Usability engineers also
employed by major websites that make sure for the friendly site and easy to use
that offer customer experience positively. For better usability testing and
evaluation, different websites offer different recommendations. (Shareef, 2019)
Many
quality attributes are also measured for quality purpose. Usability and utility
having equal importance and to get something useful they determine together.
Usability also explains how pleasant and easy to use different features of the
products and how they give benefit to the users according to their
requirements. Usability simply means that provide an easy way to utilize the
product according to user interface and also use the new technology with
complete understanding. In different applications and Smartphone’s, usability
provide complete and easy access to the features and provide complete guidance
that how to work and operate the function and get maximum advantages. So
usability is considered as the basic requirement of the new technology and new
innovative products that offer multiple features to the user and also offer
different applications. (Nielsen, 2012)
When did usability
start?
The
concept of usability is started from different developers or designers that try
to make their methods of working more easy and understandable and users can use
the technology most effectively. Usability is a journey from simplicity to
complexity. The way of working different features according to user
requirements the usability matters a lot. Usability history is full of lean
methods and well-defined concepts that are very complicated, messy and
ill-defined concepts. Technology is the basic requirement of every person in
the world, and Smartphone is the major examples of this technology. The smartphone
includes all the features and functionality that explain in the Smartphone’s
and offer all type of facilities that user obtain from computers or other
devices according to their requirements. So Smartphone development is the major
example of technology advancement and Smartphone’s include different features.
Users want to get maximum knowledge about the Smartphone’s and its features.
So
the developers of the Smartphone’s want to develop such methods that make the
usage of technology more easy to use and understand for the users and also provide
complete information about the application and its features and its focus on
the transmission of data according to the actual need of the users. When the Smartphone’s
applications run actively than the developers effectively activate the element
of usability in a better way and also provide complete understanding related to
the application and its usage that maintain the performance to a high level and
also manage all the issues according to the current requirement of the data and
applications (Adamiak, et al., 2006).
Who invented
usability?
The
usability was invented from 1911 till 2012 according to the advancement of
technology and also the need of the users because technology is becoming more
advanced with the passage of time and its better understanding is also
important to understand how to use the technology and how it provides benefits
to the users according to their need. The professional utilization of usability
is started at a large level in 1980 according to the latest advancement of
technology. When the computer introduces for the general public and people were
using the computer and desktops according to their business and study level
then the developers think that they have to introduce new and innovative
features with the technology that may resolve their issues and also sort-out all
the problematic facts of the users related to computer and advance technology.
In 1988, professional usability is also introduced in the market and they offer
high-quality features to the users according to technology improvements.
Developers
and professional engineer’s offer different methods and techniques to handle
latest and new technologies according to new requirements. In 1994 the
usability becomes mature and also establish new studies that belong to
professional methods and studies and also focus on professional practice in the
new technology advancement. Usability was becoming standard that offers
multiple services to the users and also provides complete understanding related
to applications and their usage according to the new requirement of users. So
the usability help users in different decades according to their need and
requirements and they travel its journey from simplicity to complexity because
when the technology is simple then its usability is simple and when the
technology is going to be more advanced and complicated than its usability also
convert to technical and complex form and guide the users as per the advanced
technology usage.
History of usability:
From the first
interaction of life according to its environment, a key to success is the
organism of adaptability. It allows major control in the interaction with the
environment so the introduction of tools into the experience of humans and
other animals allowed for adaptability of the tools to the organism. It
indicating design change to enhance the use of the ease of different tools
itself and ease of accomplishment of tasks for improvement of tools appear in
archaeological evidence of even pre-humans. The last 100 years of usability is
very informative and it gives a major change in the concept of usability
according to advancement in technology. In 1911 time and motion studies and its
method for improvement published. In 1919 smaller step on the improvement of
work motion appear and also happen critical working criteria. In 1936 usability
highlights as advertisement features. In 21943 pilot error reduce using the
usability. In 1988 the usability is designed the usability of everything that
normal user used to get better results.
In
1993 practical guides to usability testing appear to provide major studies to
different users according to their understanding. In 2000, don't make me think
to explain different testing of usability and also in 2012, the usability
profession is move at, major level and the developer work at a major level to
bring a major difference in this regard. So in 100 years of usability, it
provides a complete study about the starting point of usability and its
benefits and how it's changing through technological complexity according to
new users requirements. With the advancement of technology, the usability also
brought major changes and it was developed according to complex requirement and
features of the technology and application of computers and Smartphones. (Stockwell, 2007)
Importance of
usability:
Usability is a
process that measures a product according to specific users and its specific
scenario. In a satisfied and effective degree to obtain the specific goal of
the users. First of all, the usability involved in the technical level of the
complete system and also related to the interface designs. It evaluated by
operating a variety of task and also reflected by human factors. It teaches how
a product can be used easily and also explain how a user can interact with a
product effectively. Usability also explains in such terms that users do not
have a master of computer hardware and software knowledge. With their operation
process, users can focus on their tasks and also operate.
They
don't need to determine of how to convert the task into computer input process
and input mode and they don't need to find the man-machine menu interface or
understand the software structure and icon meaning and man-machine interface
structure. In a short time users can learn the operations. Less
misunderstanding and operation errors occur. Users are able to operate it
normally according to scenarios and specific environment. The operation should
be simple and repeatable and users never distracted by the hand operations.
User can operate it with a pleasant mood instead of feeling stupid, so
usability is important because it can make the users complete the task
accurately, from the users’ point of view. To determine the success of a
system, usability is an important principle according to user’s aspects. People
will not buy the product when the poor usability of the product greatly reduces
the productivity according to manager’s point of view. Time and energy is waste
more when the usability is less according to user requirements. (Smith, 2017)
Goals of usability:
To assess the
performance of site throughout the development, the setting measurable
usability goals will help the team. Throughout iterative wireframe testing,
after release the assessment is at the beginning of the processes. And
improving on task performance can only improve the usability of site and also
determine its benchmarking criteria. When visits the site, the most effective
usability goals is measure the ability for different users to finish the tasks.
Ease of use is a procedure that estimates an item as per explicit clients and
its particular situation. In a fulfilled and powerful degree to get the
particular objective of the clients.
Most
importantly, convenience associated with the specialized degree of the total
framework and furthermore identified with the interface structures. It assessed
by working an assortment of errand and furthermore reflected by human
components. It encourages that how an item can be use effectively and
furthermore clarifies how a client can be interface with an item adequately.
Ease of use additionally clarifies in such terms that clients don't have ace of
PC equipment and programming information. With their very own activity procedure,
clients can center in their very own assignments and furthermore work.
What is actually
tested using usability? (Learnability, efficiency, memorability, errors and
satisfaction)
The
idea of convenience is begun from various engineers or originators that attempt
to cause their techniques for working all the more simple and justifiable and
clients to can utilize the innovation in the best way. Convenience is an
adventure from straightforwardness to multifaceted nature. The method for
working various highlights as indicated by client necessities the ease of use
matters a great deal. Convenience history is brimming with lean strategies and
well-characterized ideas that are confounded, muddled and poorly characterized
ideas. Innovation is the fundamental prerequisite of each individual on the
planet, and Smartphone is the significant instances of this innovation. The
cell phone incorporates every one of the highlights and usefulness that clarify
in the Smartphone's and offer all kind of offices that client get from PCs or
different gadgets as indicated by their prerequisites. So Smartphone
improvement is the significant case of innovation progression and Smartphone's
incorporate various highlights. Clients need to get greatest information about
the Smartphone's and its highlights.
So
the engineers of the Smartphone's need to grow such strategies that make the
use of innovation all the more simple to utilize and comprehend for the clients
and furthermore give total data about the application and its highlights and it
additionally center around the transmission of information as indicated by the
genuine need of the clients. At the point when the Smartphone's applications
run effectively than the designers successfully initiate the component of
convenience in a superior manner and furthermore give total understanding
identified with the application and its use that keep up the exhibition to a
significant level and furthermore deal with every one of the issues as per the
present necessity of the information and applications. At the point when the PC
present for overall population and individuals were utilized the PC and work
areas as indicated by their business and concentrate level then the designers
feel that they need to present new and inventive highlights with the innovation
that may resolve their issues and furthermore sort-out all the tricky realities
of the clients identified with PC and advance innovation.
References of Usability and
Smartphone applications
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(2019). What is usability testing? Retrieved from
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Gonçalves, M. Q. (2014).
Usability Analysis of Smartphone Applications for Drivers. 352-362.
Iqbal, M. W. (2017).
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Marcus, A. (2014). Design,
User Experience, and Usability: Theories, Methods, and Tools for Designing the
User Experience. Springer.
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Usability Analysis of Smartphone Applications for Drivers. 352-362.
Raza, A. (2016).
Usability Issues of Smart Phone Applications: For Visually Challenged People. 2-15.
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Perspectives on usability guidelines for smartphone applications: Anempirical
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Designers. Retrieved from
https://uxplanet.org/usability-first-why-usability-design-matters-to-ui-ux-designers-9dfb5580116a
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Measurable Usability Goals – We All Score. Retrieved from
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