:: mobiface :: next gen mobile interface thoughts

27 September 2005

From Applications-based to Task-based

All current phones (at least the ones I’m aware of) use outdated applications-based interfaces. To set timer you have to launch Timer function. Want to make a quick note? You have to load Notes first.

I can enter a number while in main screen, press the soft button (Call, Dial… - whatever it’s labeled) and the phone dials it. But what if I didn’t want it to dial this number? What if it’s my credit card PIN I wanted to save? Or it’s some data I need to send? Or maybe that was text, not numbers I typed and wanted to send it later as a message?

Now what if the phone interface could exhibit modern task-oriented approach? Why it doesn’t let us work right in the main screen and offer the context-sensitive functions right on the spot? Some small steps are made in this direction in Microsoft Windows Mobile 5.0 for Smartphone. When you enter numbers in the main screen it also automatically searches for contacts as if you are entering text. But it’s obviously not enough.

Let’s say user typed 82. It can be the beginning of the phone number. It may 82 dollars he wishes to convert in some european currency. Or some code he doesn’t want to forget. Also this could be not number 82 but letters. May be the user tries to call his friend Taylor. Or is it’s the beginning of the message “take me fishing this weekend”. Or it’s a reminder to “take the trash out”. Or web-address tadalist.com. These options are limited and should be displayed right away. Their order can be fixed or frequency-of-usage based.

read related idea +

Comments

Qix search for series 60 is a step in the right direction.With this kind of search, key presses could become habitual, depending on the content of the phone, I like this idea.

Timo | February 20, 2006 14:04 PM

I have a Sharp 703 phone, and the Sharp interface already sort of does this. It's not as nuanced as your idea, but here's what it does. I start entering a number (120..), and the phone gives me 3 options: call, calculator, and expense memo. At 4 digits (say, 1206) it adds options to go the that day on the phone's calendar, or set an alarm for that time. As you keep typing, it takes away the options that aren't relevant, until you end up with call and calculator.

It's a start.

Graham | June 28, 2006 21:26 PM