Mobile phones may be the right devices for supporting developing world accessibility, but is the WWW the right service delivery model?

ABSTRACT

In this paper we detail the synergies we have observed between the features and limitations of mobile phones, and the usability and accessibility requirements of rural developing world users. This includes support for sequential interaction, multimedia input and output, asynchronous messaging and a universally familiar numeric keypad. However, we argue that the WWW as currently conceived may be an inappropriate model for delivering mobile information services in this context. We highlight a number of tensions we have observed between the traditional web model, and the design synergies that we have uncovered. To demonstrate an alternative framework, we describe CAM --- a platform for delivering mobile information services in the rural developing world. Supporting scripted execution, media-driven, tangible interaction as well as an offline usage model, CAM is uniquely adapted both to rural accessibility requirements and the inherent capabilities of mobile phones. By learning from the CAM design, we can either improve the design of existing mobile web standards and services, or implement a more appropriate framework altogether.

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INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  H. Information Systems
  H.3 INFORMATION STORAGE AND RETRIEVAL
      H.3.5 On-line Information Services

Additional Classification:
  C. Computer Systems Organization
  C.5 COMPUTER SYSTEM IMPLEMENTATION
      C.5.3 Microcomputers
          Subjects: Portable devices (e.g., laptops, personal digital assistants)

  H. Information Systems
  H.3 INFORMATION STORAGE AND RETRIEVAL
      H.3.4 Systems and Software

          Nouns: World Wide Web (WWW)
  H.5 INFORMATION INTERFACES AND PRESENTATION (I.7)
      H.5.4 Hypertext/Hypermedia

General Terms:
Theory

Keywords:
ICT, mobile computing, mobile phones, novice users, rural development