 | |||
|
HCI VISTAS, VOLUME-II, 2006-2007 | |||
 |
| ||
|
Article IRN-9./Dec. 2006 |
|||
|
At the outset of my discussion in this article, let me mention that I do not wish to offend or ridicule the users of hands-free bluetooth headsets. I only wish to share my observations and some opinions with the designers.
 Figure 1.
The other day, at the traffic signal, I saw a person in another car- intensely gesticulating, emoting and talking with himself. He seemed terribly upset about something. He was alone in the car and looked quite insane talking so loudly. I wondered about what was wrong with him? It took me some time to guess that may be he was speaking on his mobile phone with bluetooth headset clinging to his ear on other side, which was not visible from my place.
This is not the first time I came across such weird behavior. Previously also I have seen quite senior professionals discussing loudly on mobile phones through wireless headsets while casually performing mundane tasks like driving, walking, eating, and also inside the toilet. Everything looks normal when the wireless headset is visible to others and they know that you are speaking with someone on mobile phone.
But when it is not visible, honestly, one looks like a psychotic (deranged person) talking and emotionally gesticulating like that.
Hands-free bluetooth headset is a truly usable invention for mobile communication during driving, as you don't have to hold the mobile phone in hand. So what is the point that I am trying to make?
 Figure 2.
Mobile phone is not just about communication but it is a status symbol. It means you are in demand. Using mobile phone is extremely stylish and one desires to be seen by others while using it. There is a strong social dimension to using mobile phones, which can't be ignored. It is about the way you are perceived by others. And one cannot avoid it, as mobile phones are meant for use in the field and in public places. The inquisitive on-lookers always want to know why you laughed or why you were arguing so angrily. If you are holding the mobile phone, it explains everything to them. You have a peculiar posture, with one hand folded, something held close to ears, head slightly tilted. Even in poor light condition, it is obvious that you are speaking with somebody. So all the talking, emoting and gesticulating seems justifiable, rational and normal in that posture. See the photos in figure 2- the posture, the behavior, the expressions are very illustrative. With no ambiguity you know that these persons are speaking on mobile phone.
The conventional use of mobile handset provides clear visual explanation
of what one is doing. At sub-conscious level, the on-lookers want to interpret
your behavior and seek some explanation for it. It is human nature.
On the contrary, the use of bluetooth headset does not provide
enough visual explanation to on-lookers.
Look at some of the photos presented in figure 1. These photos are picked up from advertisements and hence the bluetooth headset is deliberately focused in each frame. The pictures look decent, as professional models have posed for the bluetooth products. But still their smiles, open mouths and hand gestures look irrational. If the bluetooth headsets were not visible in the view, it would look totally irrational. Also the style, the grace and the pride of holding the mobile phone is completely missing!
One might say, hell with the on-lookers, we don't care. Usability is the ultimate parameter. It might be true in western societies, which have pretty relaxed social norms and greater individual freedom. But in conservative societies where it is important to be perceived as normal (as per the social norms), bluetooth headset can project an undesirable image for the user. Here is a cross-cultural issue!
If your apparently irrational behavior (caused by bluetooth headset) is tempting your subordinates to perceive you as an insane person, will you still go for bluetooth headsets that are hardly visible?
A few days ago I saw a movie called Cellular. Good movie. Completely centred on cell phone technology. A young boy is constantly in touch with a kidnapped lady through mobile phone and also negotiating with the kidnappers. Finally, the boy gets the kidnappers in the busiest location of city to settle the deal and save the lady. The chief kidnapper and his assistants are also on the lookout for the boy. One of them is on the terrace of a building trying to locate the mischievous boy who is about to spoil their plan. The chief kidnapper screams through his walky-talky to his assistant on the terrace, can't you simply identify the boy on cell phone? At this instant the camera zooms out showing large crowd of people; and the assistant replies in baffled voice, BOSS everyone out there is on cell phone!
Can you imagine, how better or worse it would be if everyone in that crowd had a bluetooth headset?
Feedback at
 Contribute Articles To
| |||
|
© Copyright 2006-2007 | |||
|
Perspectives | |||
|
Fantastic article! I have started recently looking into the usability aspect of products, and I believe that design matters a lot for a product. We often hear and use products which have everything we can only imagine about. These product features are packaged nicely after umpteen hours of research, analysis and development not forgetting the marketing part. The products receive every bit of attention during its pre and post-release, but the question is what is it of use, if the product is not user-friendly? I will stress on the word 'user friendly' here since it is the single most important factor that separates a quality product from everything. Hence, designing is important.
I agree cross-cultural issues are factors, and they do impact in the product growth. Take for instance, a detergent powder that was shown as a dirty shirt immersed in the particular detergent powder and coming out as clean. Theoretically, it is correct but the product bombed in Middle East . Reason: since in Middle East people write from right to left, and so you can imagine the advertisement meant a clean shirt getting dirty after immersing in the particular powder. I don't think companies pay so much of attention to all this, but if they do, it would definitely save a whole lot of money and above all TIME. Raj Gupta
| |||
|
The article is engaging, interesting and thought-provoking!
But I beg to differ with your views. Even in conservative societies today, people do know that Bluetooth is costlier than a cell phone. So on-lookers look at a Bluetooth user with the same (or may be more) awe and envy as they look at an owner of a fancy cell phone.
I think there are many aspects to the use of a cell phone or Bluetooth which can easily find a place in this discussion.
For example, it is far more important to know which one is safer to use. I have heard that the vibrations of cell phones cause harm to crucial body organs like brain. So I will check whether Bluetooth (which I will be keeping plugged near my brain) is safer for me or not.
Also, size does matter to the users. They say 'smaller the better' in today's technology. But that's not the case. Smaller the priced possession, greater is the risk of losing it. Smaller the size more is the difficulty in pressing the right buttons. More the buttons more is the confusion. Too much of navigation, too much of customization facilities generally irritate 40+ users. So users will also make their preferences based on this ease of handling.
Just some random thoughts. Your article was so inviting (for a discussion), that I could not restrict myself.
I read your articles regularly, and your site is one of my favorites.
Congratulations for great work in a niche domain!
Best regards,
Mugdha Kulkarni
| |||
