Mobile & Telecoms

It seems obvious, but the future of the mobile Internet is best predicted by thinking about what sort of services are typically needed by those who are out and about. It helps to look at the sort of information already obtained by phone.

Given that usability makes a difference which may affect mobile handset purchasing choices, how should manufacturers ensure that their phones are easy to use and easy to learn? The golden rule, as Nokia know, is to involve users in design.

Mobile phone users want content and services that are customisable, timely and time-sensitive, location relevant and simple.

WAP's greatest crime seems to be that it is not the Web in miniature. Those expecting a small screen version of the web browsers they are used to are bound to be disappointed. From a usability perspective, that means WAP applications must be as efficient as possible, and must start from the ground up, with a detailed understanding of real user needs emerging from careful requirement gathering programmes.