Mobile services used in unstable environments: design requirements based on three case studies

ABSTRACT

The fast developing mobile technology and the lack of practices make it difficult to design mobile information services of satisfying quality within allocated time and budget. One of the difficulties is the unstable environment in which users accessing these services find themselves. Information services used on a personal computer connected to the Internet with a wired line are nowadays quite stable. However, the use of information services on a mobile device connected to the Internet by a mobile or wireless network is still vulnerable. The usage is even more unstable since the users are distracted when they are on the move, in an environment that might be unfamiliar, noisy, or surrounded with traffic.In this paper we describe three different case studies in which a mobile information service is designed for use in an unstable environment. We analyze the usage of these services and derive requirements for a design method to deal with this. We recommend applying context studies, simulation, user participation and service assembly with building blocks during the design process.

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Index Terms

• Social and professional topics

  • Professional topics

    • Management of computing and information systems

      • Project and people management

        • Systems analysis and design