The document discusses usability testing for mobile sites and applications. It emphasizes that mobile usability requires designing for small screens and brief interactions, as mobile users have immediate and context-dependent information needs. The document recommends testing across different hardware, software, and interface factors using various methods including paper prototypes, desktop simulations, device emulators, field testing, and lab evaluations.

1. Mobile Usability Jeff WisniewskiWeb Services LibrarianUniversity of Pittsburghfacebook.com/wisniewski.jeff

2. UsabilityThe study of the relative ease with which a user can complete a given task….or, in a mobile context, an interaction

3. Designing for usability

4. Do it rightGuidelinesManufacturerW3C

5. Check your assumptions at the doorMobile space is not a minified desktopLess immersive than desktopContext criticalMicrointeractions versus tasksConstant partial attention

9. Desktop sitesDesigned to satisfy most/all user needsWideDeepComplexUsed infrequentlyStablemouse, keyboard, display 800x600 or better

10. Mobile sites/appsSimpleSlimDeep, drill downDesign to satisfy a few discrete user needsVERY infrequent useFragmented hardware/software landscape

11. mobile usersImmediate need for information

12. context is king

14. It should be difficult or impossible to get lost lost on a mobile site or in an app

15. Testing and evaluating

16. What to test?Functional testingInteraction testingUser satisfaction

17. Layers affecting usabilityHardwareSoftwareUI

18. HardwareInput mechanisms physical keyboard virtual keyboard touch voiceScrolling/navigation touch trackball/pad keysLOTS of significant variation in basic hardware

19. SoftwareDevice OSDevice browser (for mobile websites)

20. Smartphone categoriesTouch-ScreenNon Touch-ScreenTablets

21. Testing methodsHeuristic evaluationPaperSimulators/emulators/ desktopOn deviceFieldLab…sleds and cameras and capture, oh my!

22. Testing methods

23. Low cost, low techPaper prototypeshttp://interactivelogic.net/wp/2009/09/iphone-wireframe-templates/http://gliderguns.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/android_wireframe_templates3.pdf

26. Html prototypingDesktopMobile device

27. Emulate, simulateFirefox user agent switcherhttps://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/59/Opera Minihttp://www.opera.com/mobile/demo/Blackberryhttp://na.blackberry.com/eng/developers/resources/simulators.jspiOS SDKhttp://developer.apple.com/devcenter/ios/index.actionAndroid SDKhttp://developer.android.com/sdk/index.htmlFennec emulatorhttp://www.mozilla.com/en-US/mobile/download/

28. Field testing“Results indicate that conducting a time-consuming field test may not be worthwhile when searching user interface flaws to improve user interaction”-Anne Kaikkonen, Aki Kekäläinen, MihaelCankar, TittiKallio, and AnuKankainenJournal of Usability Studies, Issue 1, Volume 1

29. Field testing redux“In the field-based evaluation we identified significantly more usability problems and this setting revealed problems with interaction style and cognitive load that were not identified in the laboratory.”It’s Worth the Hassle! The Added Value of Evaluating the Usability of Mobile Systems in the Field -Christian Monrad Nielsen, Nordic Conference on Human-Computer Interaction; Vol. 189

30. Near field advantageI’m guessing many of your colleagues and friends have smartphones….test with them first!Especially useful for basic functional testing!

31. Functional testingMobile OK Checker http://validator.w3.org/mobile/MobiReadyhttp://ready.mobi/launch.jsp?locale=en_EN

32. Lab testingSimulated and/or HTML prototypeutilize desktop computersLab devices ( you supply)expensive, difficultBYOP (Bring Your Own Phone)recruitment challenges

33. Lab equipmentCam?Sled ?Plusses and minuses

34. Automated testing toolsBrowsercamhttp://www.browsercam.com/Default2.aspxDeviceanywherehttp://www.deviceanywhere.com/mobile-application-testing-web.html

35. Subjectively yoursUser needs/wantsSatisfaction

37. Questions & discussionTHANK YOU

38. ResourcesA Guide to Usability Testing an iPhone app http://www.usabilitynews.com/news/article6496.asp10 Excellent Tools for Testing Your Site on Mobile Devices http://sixrevisions.com/tools/10-excellent-tools-for-testing-your-site-on-mobile-devices/#more-4121

39. ResourcesUI guidelinesiPhonehttp://developer.apple.com/library/ios/#documentation/userexperience/conceptual/mobilehig/Introduction/Introduction.htmliPadhttp://developer.apple.com/library/ios/#documentation/general/conceptual/ipadhig/Introduction/Introduction.htmlAndroid http://developer.android.com/guide/practices/ui_guidelines/index.htmlBlackberry http://docs.blackberry.com/en/developers/deliverables/17965/index.jsp?name=UI+Guidelines+-+BlackBerry+Smartphones6.0&language=English&userType=21&category=Java+Development+Guidelines&subCategory=

40. ResourcesEmulators/simulatorsFirefox user agent switcherhttps://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/59/Opera Minihttp://www.opera.com/mobile/demo/Blackberryhttp://na.blackberry.com/eng/developers/resources/simulators.jspiOS SDKhttp://developer.apple.com/devcenter/ios/index.actionAndroid SDKhttp://developer.android.com/sdk/index.htmlFennec emulatorhttp://www.mozilla.com/en-US/mobile/download/

41. ResourcesAutomated testing toolsBrowsercamhttp://www.browsercam.com/Default2.aspxDeviceanywherehttp://www.deviceanywhere.com/mobile-application-testing-web.html