Phone Pal

Ammar KhanKarnon SuenYizao Zhu

Introduction

The Phone Pal is an electronic phone book

It supports additional information storage such as e-mail, comments, etc.

The Phone Pal Advantage

A simple replacement for paper phone books, Rolodexes, electronic organizers…

Large storage capacitySophisticated searching to support the

capacityCan be integrated into a wireless web

application

Phone Pal Features

Portable and compact

Rapid and simple searching

Easy to use for everyone

Phone Pal Features (cont.)

Visibility

Legibility

Feedback

What Does it Look Like?

Links to prototypes are available at http://www.ece.mcgill.ca/~akhan/HCI/

Learning Curve

Very rapid learning curve, everyone can use it with minimal usage

So easy to use, that no user’s guide is really needed

Usage Scenarios

A university student needs to contact his partner about an assignment…

A businessman whose work requires a great deal of travel

Alpha Prototype Evolution (1)

Flowchart to determine required functions.Thorough Paper Design involving

brainstorming and borrowing interface ideas from other devices (e.g. Bank Machines).

Multipurpose Buttons Based on Bank Machine Interface

Alpha Prototype Evolution (2)

Made changes to paper design based on user feedback. Added an On/Off button Remove arrow pointing down to multipurpose

buttons Added opening screen explaining what 2 main

buttons did Added Ability to Search by either First or Last

name.

Alpha Prototype Evolution (3)

Chose Macromedia Flash to develop interface.

Mostly focused on Search use cases Did not implement database backend at

this time, due to Flash limitationsLimited fields visible, buttons labeled but non-functional

Peer Group Evaluation

Points Raised:• Good button Positions/Usage• Questions regarding flexibility of entries• Feedback when accessing non implemented

func.• Feedback when Deleting/Modifying• Error Recovery (Undo/Redo) • Consistency concerns

Peer Group Evaluation (cont.)

• Number of Steps required to get to an action• Careless mistakes (spelling etc.)• Sufficient Visibility• Sufficiently legible screens• Sufficiently minimalist design• Alpha Prototype provided too little functionality

for in depth evaluation

Alpha Prototype

Beta Prototype

Changes Due to Feedback (1)

TA Feedback Button Placement

Scroll on rightMultifunction on bottom

Drop Down Bar (also mentioned by others)

Desired, but unimplemented

Changes Due to Feedback (2)

More Feedback on Unimplemented Portions (Also mentioned by others)

Added

Main Menu ButtonUsage of Search and Add not evident

Power Button, Power Indicator (Also mentioned by others)

Emulates physical device

Changes Due to Feedback (3)

Family Message Center’s Feedback Scroll Button

Scroll on left originally (near arrows)

Title Screen HintsAdded more to clarify a few

Added Freedom to Change StatesNo data has been retrievedOr at a completion screen (e.g. finished adding a

record, finished deleting a record, etc.)

Changes Due to Feedback (4)

Undo/Redo ButtonsDesired, but far too complexRemoved to prevent ambiguity

Consistency/FontMore uniform capitalizationsMore fonts used to indicate differences

Reminders of SearchAdded, but unable to insert input data

Changes Due to Feedback (5)

LegibilityPre-customized depending on web browser

Partial Matching and AutocompletionDesired, but unimplemented

Name Listed by AlphabetUsage not evident due to partial implementation

Changes Due to Feedback (6)

Expert ExtensibilityPresent in the Advanced Search

On-Screen Keyboard

Applied Course Concepts (1)

Forcing FunctionMultipurpose buttons

VisibilityEasy to figure outSystem status easily found out

AffordancesMeaningful icons

Applied Course Concepts (2)

User SupportCancel Action and Delete confirmation screens

FlexibilityRecords are lenient in accepting data

SimplisticAvoided screen text clutter

Applied Course Concepts (3)

MinimalistSimple interface, yet extensive functionalityTried to keep cognitive load to 7 buttons or under

Error PreventionMultipurpose buttons

FeedbackFull feedback even for unimplemented portions

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank the following people:Professor Jeremy CooperstockHugo LevasseurTanya NahorniakKevin YankKaren DjouryJerome PasqueroMark YalovskyAll our Alpha and Beta TestersYou, our Audience

Try the Beta prototype at http://132.206.31.218/Phonepal.html