language considerations for mobile apps and devices

Design, Writing, & Development for Touch and

Voice Applications and Devices

Joe Welinske

joewe@writersua.com

Twitter: welinske

A Major Inflection Point

• New interactions with the UI…

• …require new techniques and processes

• Proprietary interactions…

• …make software development harder

• Uniquely customized UIs…

• …require decisions about language

Touch Today

• SmartPhones

• Tablets: iPad / Kindle Fire / Google Nexus

• Mac OSx Trackpad

• Windows 7 Touchpad

• Automotive Dash

• and now, Windows 8 desktop and tablets

Multi-touch Controls

• Multi-touch controls are not easily discoverable

• Multi-touch gestures to trigger certain features.

Quickoffice PhotoPad AccuTerra

x x

Tablet dimensions: allow for more

activity which can mean a complex

touch UI

The Ultimate Touch Easter Egg

The Language of Gestures

• Individual word choices are extremely important

• It is worth testing with users to find the best words.

• Word choices may change depending on the mobile platform

Gesture Language in UA

ToonPAINT Weightbot AutoCAD

x x

Gesture Language in UA

Convertbot Calvetica eBay

x x

Gesture Resources

Touch Gesture Reference Guide

www.lukew.com/ff/entry.asp?1071

• iOS

• Android

• Windows Phone

• Mac

• Windows

• Others

Gesture Comparison by Platform/Device

Gesture Comparison by Platform/Device

Translation Issues for Gesture Terms

Single-sourcing for Multiple Device Types

• Conditional Text• Based on device type• Based on UI type

• HTML5 / CSS / Media Query

• Authoring Tools

Device-specific instructions using conditional text

Device-specific instructions

Laptop

Phone

TV

Interaction-specific instructions

Tablet

Phone

TV

Car

Laptop

Windows 8

DesktopTablet

Phone

Car Dash

Home Ent.

NFC

Other UI Elements

Gallery of Android button bars

Sony Xperia Play

• Device-specific controls need consideration

iPhone User Guide

x

x

Use of iconsSupplemental

language

Set…

Turn…

Focus…

Zoom

Custom Language Choices

a. b. c.

x x

Select Edit Share

Double tap, hold and drag to select

Drag your finger while holding

Custom Language Choices – Windows Phone

Fantasia Paint Office Word

x

Photo Collage Tasks Anywhere

x

Voice Today

• iOS Siri

• Office ?

• Android Google Voice

• Ford Sync

Design, Writing, & Development for Touch and

Voice Applications and Devices

Joe Welinske

joewe@writersua.com

Twitter: welinske