New ways of interacting with software, like touch and voice, mean a rethinking of how we develop our associated user assistance. This session describes how micro-concise instructions can significantly improve our users’ initial experience with the mobile apps. It will also cover the vocabulary of touch as it applies to both mobile platforms and the emerging use with desktop systems.
Language Considerations for Mobile Apps and Devices
1. Design, Writing, & Development
for Touch and Voice
Applications and Devices
Joe
Welinske
joewe@writersua.com
Twitter: welinske
2. A Major Inflection Point
• New interactions with the UI…
• …require new techniques and processes
• Proprietary interactions…
• …make software development harder
• Uniquely customized UIs…
• …require decisions about language
3. Touch Today
• SmartPhones
• Tablets: iPad / Kindle Fire / Google Nexus
• Mac OSx Trackpad
• Windows 7 Touchpad
• Automotive Dash
• and now, Windows 8
desktop and tablets
4. Multi-touch Controls
• Multi-touch controls are not easily discoverable
• Multi-touch gestures to trigger certain
features.
Quickoffice PhotoPad AccuTerra
x x
9. The Language of Gestures
• Individual word choices are extremely
important
• It is worth testing with users to find the
best words.
• Word choices may change depending on
the mobile platform
16. Single-sourcing for Multiple Device Types
• Conditional Text
• Based on device type
• Based on UI type
• HTML5 / CSS / Media Query
• Authoring Tools