MCHI Concepts and Understanding Context¶
Characterising Mobile Computing¶
- Portability
- Miniturization
- Connectivity
- Convergence
- Divergence
- Apps
- Digital Ecosystems
Portability¶
Miniturization¶
Connectivity¶
- Devices are getting connected
- Phone network
- Bluetooth and infrared
Convergence¶
- Not just a phone or computer any more
- You can now play and do spreadsheets on the phone (Nokia 9000)
Divergence¶
- Doing one thing well
Apps¶
- In the beginning, only the manifactures made apps
- limited selection
- Then came Developing kits and app stores
Digital Ecosystems¶
Defining the Context for our Design¶
Establishing Requirements (understanding the context)¶
What is important for your users?¶
Calculator / Non Calculator?¶
Who are your users and what is the context of use?¶
Context (C) and context (c)¶
The intent is to define the circumstances, or thetoric, of how communicate and understand ideas.
-Mobile Design and Development
Context (big C)¶
"Context enables us to better understand a person, a place, a thing, a situation, or even an idea by adding information to it"
-Mobile Design and Development
The Problem
- What problems are you trying to design a solution for?
- What value do you want to bring for your users?
Users and their situation
- Who are your users and what do you know about them?
- How are they able to or how will they interact with your design?
Location
- What and where is it happening?
Markets
- How is your idea different from other design already available?
Example - Car Next Door¶
The problem:
- Little utilisation of private car park
The Users:
- Car owners, non-car owners
Location:
- Private cars scattered around town, same with users often on the go
Other markets:
- B2C car sharing
- often more expensive
The idea: A mobile P2P platform for sharing privately owned cars
Context (small c)¶
"The mode, medium, or environment in which we perform a task or the circumstances of understanding"
-Mobile Design and Development
Which requirements / constraints lies in the context?
Physical and spatial considerations
- Are there any restrictions in the physical environment or the location?
- (e.g will I be able to use the design all the time)
Technological considerations
- How are different devices present in different situations?
- (e.g. why smart watches might be better than smartphones when running or swimming)
Psycological/demographical considerations
- Does users mental models and prerequisites for interacting with certain devices
- (e.g. knowledge, common conceptions in the community)
Example - Car Next Door¶
The Idea: A mobile P2P platform for sharing privately owned cars safely. Instantly through wireless locks, and at a low price, compared to B2C solutions