83% find PC easier to use than mobile handset
While Christmas 2003 has seen record sales of advanced mobile phones, accessing their functions is too complicated for 85% of users. 95% of consumers admitted to being frustrated when trying to use the new data-centric applications like pictures, calendar and email that are now available on the majority of new phones.
Mobile operators are relying on these data applications to provide the majority of future revenue growth, with ease of use critical to their adoption.
However 83% of users preferred to access applications on a PC rather than a mobile phone. Consumers favoured the computer as application icons were easier to access through mouse control rather than via the complex menu systems on mobile phones.
These are the key findings of research undertaken by Wacom Components, which looked at how easy users found accessing applications on mobile phones. 100 mobile phone users were surveyed over a week long period in the run up to Christmas 2003.
"The new generation of mobile phones are effectively miniature PCs, offering advanced data applications that provide a whole new world of features to consumers - and a crucial new revenue stream for operators," commented Justin Staines, sales and marketing director, Wacom Components. "However our research found that the user interface hasn't kept pace with applications - users are increasingly frustrated by clunky, complex menu-driven systems that actively stop you getting to the features you want. Given the size of mobile screens for both users and operators to gain the benefit of new phones an intuitive and simple interface should be a priority."
The research found that 61% of users would prefer to access applications by simply touching the screen, rather than using short cut keys or voice activation.
Wacom Components advanced Penabled? technology is a pen-based system that unlocks the potential of new mobile applications. Comprising a cordless and battery-less, pressure sensitive pen and a robust display Penabled technology provides a more flexible and natural interface designed to make complex electronic devices simple to use.
Penabled offers major improvements on existing touch systems. The increased pen accuracy of Penabled devices enables application zooming, the ability to hover without touching the screen and more realistic handwriting recognition. It enables users to see what icons mean by simply hovering the pen over them - perfect for a feature-rich mobile phone. Additionally Penabled devices are more durable, offer better colour transmission, pressure sensitivity, increased input area, precise input control than existing technology.
