Background Introduction
The paper evaluates the utility of handheld communication devices, about use, flexibility, simplistic and intuitive design, the perceptibility of data, ability to error tolerance, physical effort low in a measure, and approach in use of space and size. The objective of this paper is to give an assessment of the above from research I have conducted. To meet this objective, I have organized it to focus on individual sections for each principal mentioned. I also discuss the designer’s aid to the physically challenged and universal user ability. Later, I finish my paper with the conclusion. The principles of international design on handheld devices are vital on the user interface.
Design Principals of Mobile Devices
Hand held communication devices are huge and increasingly growing technology nowadays. The devices are proven to be of greater importance to our day-to-day lives. Cell phones are transforming rapidly every aspect in our community and activities. It is predicted that by 2020, access to the internet and other computer related services would primarily be done on mobile phones, in a technology overhaul (Clock, 2007). Ability to access new audiences is, in particular, important in developing the world.
Handheld phone adoption has exceeded the use of computers and telecommunication of landline. Therefore, to synchronize with the rapid growth of today’s technologies, designers are obligated to comply with global guidelines in the manufacturing of the gadgets. Additionally, the aspect of the user interface should be met by every manufacturer to meet the satisfaction of the users globally.
As a result, there are universal design principles, to be followed on the global level in mobile phone manufacturing. Advancement of mobile phones to not only be used as a communication gadget on call making, but to drivers’ use is evident. Devise variant is common in the market, and various users obtain access to them by numerous factors, among them preferences in their performance. Categories of mobile devices are three; Feature phones, these are characterized with a small screen and numeric keypad buttons. Touch phones; have screen size of the device and activated by contact. While the smart phones, attribute to aspects with intelligent applications and A-Z keypad.
Phone accessories are inbuilt helping the user complete various tasks. The recent iconic attitude of contemporary is the touch interface. It comes in handy when it is supported by Android applications. Universal design principles are observed in the manufacturing of these gadgets to meet global demand. Apple’s iPhone, like all the gadgets, is not an exception. It meets international standards by use of various universal design principles as highlighted below.
Flexibility in Use
Apple’s iPhone is designed to cater for multiple needs of users who have various levels of ability and proficiency to obtain use and access the gadget. It achieves this by providing alternative ways for completing commands and enabling the user to personalize the gadget to optimize its services. Apple phones present content, clarity and accept data in multiple formats, offering various range of choices and additional data.
The package content is small in a chunk and considerable unconventional data option. It gives users room to illustrate and animate courses in various forms. The design allows a broad range of person’s preferences and capabilities. The IOS gadgets include a range of utilities. The phone has several features, allowing the user to access services quickly. Among them are, voice over feature which enables the user with a visual disability to utilize the touch screen interface with an aid of screen reader. A user can magnify objects on the screen up to 600 times for visually impaired persons. The text size increase can be adjusted to large size for mail and messages contacts. IPhone gadget is flexible in all aspects.
Simple and Intuitive design
Simplification of the gadget to appear less complex to the user in design can motivate the user to relate to the gadget. Apple is simple and intuitive in nature to users across the globe. Apple gadgets have simplified interface services offering offline options and text only options with menu choices. Their codes are simple for in- put data, and they use an open source software application. Also, the content is put online in an offered choice of translation and delivering the data in the simplest format possible (Lehpamer, 2008).
Also, the use of cloud-computing, storage option and file sharing links. The phone has several features, allowing the user to access services easily. Among them are, voice over feature which enables the user with a visual disability to utilize the touch screen interface with an aid of screen reader. A user can magnify objects on the screen up to 600 times for visually impaired persons (Clock, 2007). The text size increase can be adjusted to large size for mail and messages contacts. Speak options to read highlighted text in powerful form for people with visual disability who cannot access voice over. It also has white on black contrast enabled the feature to make display much easier to read the screen content. Single audio to play audio and stereo channels over different earpiece is an option for aid for people with hearing disability of one ear. It also supports for closed captions to give aid of option to persons with a hearing disability enjoy video casts, TV shows, and movies easily.
People with motor difficulties in performing multiple gestures can use the assistive touch aid. The accessibility features help an individual who has disabilities to use Apple mobile gadgets without buying extra accessories. Also, third-party apps are supported by IOS of Apple operating system. The vast collection of apps ranges to 400,000 creating an allowance for users to access other services with various disabilities among them Autism, and amnesia cases. Also, the parents who would wish their children to access mobile phone services with the much less complex procedure, Apple offers in the range of solutions.
Apple design is easy to operate and understand regardless of age, skills and proficiency, educational level, and user’s experiences. The user interface of touch screen IOS gadgets is intuitive and easy to master even by minors. Accessories of the Apple iPhone are broad in utility and can be enhanced by few accessories for people with disabilities. Visually impaired persons may easily access data input by physical keyboard as compared to the onscreen keyboard on their gadget. Apple has a Bluetooth wireless keyboard compatible with every IOS device running IOS 4.0 model. To utilize the Bluetooth keyboard, with IOS gadget, the pairing of the devices is required by general settings of the apps.
With that, the use of the external keyboard is provided in a personalized manner to help with the efficiency of the gadget. Apple Earphones devices with remote control and microphone for answering phone conversations are available for the disabled. The accessory gives a wide range of options for the user, in that one can answer a call by simply pressing the button on the earphone’s microphone. Also, stop music play or forward the next song or to initiate and end of the recording. Another accessory is the T-coil inductive ear loop for enhanced audacity. The implant aids the user to access quality sound effects from the device. Switch interface for the phone is an accessory that helps persons with motor impairments to manipulate the gadget with compatible apps that allow scanning.
External speakers are helpful when engaged in an argumentative conversation during the call. To make photography more efficient, and accessible to people with visual disabilities, the camera app is more customized with VoiceOver. This feature allows the user to establish, if the effectiveness of the camera is maintained. The iPhone relies on facial recognition of the user with sensor optics coupled with ability to turn on the camera of other gadgets
Hearing disabilities are another problem aided by the iPhone ability use vibration patterns that translate audio. Further, there is the LED flashlight that alerts the user on an incoming call for those with hearing impairments. An option in IOS 5 is evident in vibrating patterns of the iPhone for the hearing disabled persons. The user can assign each of the contacts in their phone book with distinguishing vibrating patterns. To enable these settings, the user should customize the settings to fit their preferences. People with motor disabilities can benefit much from the use of Siri, a personal assistance application for motor physically challenged persons. It works with audio enabled software able to receive user’s audio command and instruct the gadget on the intended aim through dictation.
Perceptible Information
Gadgets of communication like phones should convey their usage means to the users. Apple phones are designed to approach clarity by maintaining a high level of legibility in their design elements. When dark text is developed against a light background, provision of essential contrast that assures the user comprehends the text and the menu choices. Apple allows coordination of images and combines text messages for easier clarity of usage. Additionally, it accentuates the impact of perceptible utility. The use of auditory cues is additional to user-friendly design. In addition, captions of data in descriptors and detailed transcriptions.
The design communicates relevant data proficiently to the user, regardless of user’s abilities. IOS can close caption and read the screen by Voice Over aid by an inbuilt support for people with disabilities. Apple iPhone can use iCloudIt is a new simple service from Apple that provides an online storage of data of up to 4GB. Data includes video materials, photos, documents, music and various other forms of evidence.
It can also backup storage of information on synced devices to counter the loss of data in case the gadget impairs. The requirement of IOS 5 installation is mandatory for iCloud storage. With include installation, the gadget will access a backup of camera roll, photos, and numerous documents when the gadget is plugged into a power source, with Wi-Fi access. The device can obtain more storage if the 4GB goes quiet. With iCloud enabled, downloads are available for desired content (Clock, 2007).
Size and Space for Approach and Use
The required size and space is provided for manipulation, approach, reach and use, regardless the body size of the user or their mobility and posture. IOS portability means that they can be utilized to counter hindrances of environment for the physically challenged. The user interface of touch screen IOS gadgets is intuitive and easy to master even by minors. Accessories for Apple iPhone is broad in utility and can be enhanced by few accessories for people with disabilities.
Tolerance for Error
Currently, the adoption of technology is at a high rate. Users of Apple gadget have interface design that allows a new contextual situation like in multitasking. The user can often be interrupted in the course of operating the device. Apple has tolerance for error which tries to take preventive measure that remedies the wrong commands. It gives warning and precautions and confirmation message for user –centric form. Apple phones allow users to edit posts giving warning sounds and indicated by the text.
Also, scaffold aided information on data entry methods. The design can minimize the negative consequences of unintended and accidental commands. Features of IOS which are inbuilt will speak up loudly for auto corrections if the user error in text and commands. The double-tap functions that allow the visually impaired persons to avoid opening unintended apps as they navigate on the screen like those who are sighted (Amstrong, 2009) Apple mobile devices are manufactured with the ability to withstand a range of abuse. Sturdy case accessories are available for persons who cannot hold the gadget firmly due to disabilities. Accessories that enable the device to correct errors in practical ways is, for example, the rotor. The rotor is a unique gesture that quickly changes Voice Over without deforming the settings. The language in the settings is determined by the rotor which gives a range of dialect. This helps the gadget to be used globally with fewer constraints ('Clock, 2007).
Low Physical Effort
Comfortability with the utility of the gadget in its efficient manner without constraints should be observed in the manufacturing of handheld devices. Unnecessary physical obstruction is avoided in Apple designs. The device incorporates aiding technologies, considering issues of physical ability and checks browser situations. They also offer available SMS readers and other cell phone supporting technologies. The Apple design can be used comfortably and efficiently with minimal fatigue. It is also much easier in weight than other IOS gadgets used by physically challenged people.
Conclusion
In summation, the principals of universal design are vital in the manufacturing of all communication gadgets globally. This allows the efficiency in the utility of the devices to ensure maximum use to the intended purpose. With that at hand, the gadgets are the greatest assets in the modern world of technology. Users globally are with various forms of disabilities and should accesses services satisfactory. Therefore, designers should consider the set guidelines.
References
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Maylor, H. (2010). Project management. Harlow, England: Financial Times Prentice Hall.
Mullinger, P. & Jenkins, B. (2008). Industrial and process furnaces. Amsterdam: Butterworth-Heinemann.
O'Clock, G. (2007). Electrotherapeutic devices. Boston, MA: Artech House.
