Usability Study of Smart Phone Messaging for Elderly and Low-literate Users

Abstract

Smartphones are electronic devices that people can carry around and install/add compatible third-party Apps to expend their functionality. Smartphones are mainly developed for calling and messaging purposes. All applications' interfaces are designed for the current trends. Therefore, Senior Citizen and Low-literate users face difficulties to use smartphones due to the perceived complicated interface and functionality. This paper analyzes Senior Citizen and Low-literate user's requirements to read and write messages from users "memory load", "navigation consistency", "consistency and standard", and "touch screen finger-based tapping" perspective. Then a framework based on "visual representation", "navigation" and "miss click avoidance" is developed. A comparison between the proposed application and other messaging applications is provided. This research work focused on the Senior Citizen and Low-literate users to improve their user experience of the smartphone messaging application.

Personalized Instant Messaging UI Design for Elderly

“…Because of significantly improved health care and quality of life, life expectancy has grown throughout time. Aging index is defined by the United Nations as the fraction of persons 65 years old and older in each community [2]. It is frequently referred to as an 'Aging Society' if the aging index is more than 7% or an 'Aged Society' if the aging index is greater than 14%.…”

“…According to [2], the biggest impediment is a lack of usability, short-term memory, and a fear of technological adoption. As a result, a significant proportion of our society's senior citizens attempt to avoid using cell phones [3].…”

“…Several experts feel that the future generations would not be the same as the existing elderly. The children of today are acclimated to the exi`sting system, and it will be normal for them to use a smartphone when they reach retirement age [2]. However, according to [3], they will still be having problems operating the smart device because of their cognitive and motor function.…”

Usuários idosos e sua relação com celulares: RBSe as contribuições e oportunidades para o Design

“…Há evidências de uma contribuição positiva na qualidade de vida dos idosos quando são inseridas tecnologias para auxiliar no seu cotidiano (BRIEDE-WESTERMEYER et al, 2020), porém, os projetos de interfaces de celulares, do tipo smartphone, não levam estas pessoas em consideração e, ao negligenciá-los, oferecem interfaces e experiências incompletos e desafiadores para muitos destes idosos/usuários (ZHAO, MEN, 2016). Muitas interfaces já foram desenvolvidas para tentar preencher esta lacuna, mas a maioria delas são reprovados em testes de usabilidade (ANAM, ABID, 2020).…”