Short Paper Proc. of Int. Conf. on Research Methodologies in Electronic Devices and Circuits 2012
Electronic Reading- Acceptance and Usability of Mobile Devices S. Pfannes1 and O. Klosa2 1
University of Technology/Department of Communication Science, Ilmenau, Germany Email: stefanie.pfannes@tu-ilmenau.de 2 University of Technology/Department of Communication Science, Ilmenau, Germany Email: oliver.klosa@tu-ilmenau.de In the study described we first had to consider the principles of usability and the special requirements for the reading on mobile devices. Using empirical and theoretical knowledge about the human-computer interaction we conducted a usability test with the target group to gain information about the usefulness of electronic publications from the user’s perspective. The study concludes with a recommendation for design principles regarding mobile reading devices and outlines the user’s acceptance toward these devices.
Abstract - This study examines the usability of mobile reading devices using a user oriented evaluation method. It presents a study of the theoretical basis of the acceptance theory and usability as well as resultant characteristics of the mobile user context. With the help of a usability-test, the electronic reading on a dedicated reader and a Tablet-PC were tested with regard to their efficiency, effectiveness, ease of use and joy of use. The investigation revealed that the majority of persons tested are already used to digital reading, but the devices do not offer the comfort and functionality that would lead to broad consumers’ acceptance and adoption.
II. EREADER VS. TABLET-PC Index Terms—electronic reading, mobile devices, usability, acceptance, design
The eReader is a mobile device that enables users to read and store electronic content, e.g. books with the purpose of presenting them. Most of the dedicated eReaders are about the size of a paperback while being slim and portable [14]. The E-Ink Technology of most of the devices was designed to simulate ink on paper to make the reading experience as natural as possible. One Reason for that is the stable image that does not have to be refreshed constantly [14]. The TabletPC can also act as an eReader, but it is actually designed to manage a variety of functions, like browsing, listening to music and watching videos [15]. Therefore Tablet-PCs provide a larger multi-touch display and a more powerful processor than eReaders [15]. Both devices are designed to be controlled by bare fingers and a virtual onscreen keyboard. By swiping the finger over the display the user of the Sony eReader is able to turn pages and navigate through documents. The eReader also allows taking freehand notes and highlighting sections, using the included stylus. Whereas the gesture control of the Sony eReader is kept very simple, the multi-touch screen of the iPad offers a user interface that can be controlled with fingertips. The gestures are very intuitive and easy to imitate by the user. Compared to the Apple iPad, the Sony eReader offers no Wi-Fi, so the user has to download books to the PC and transfer them via USB port to the device. The iPad allows user to download books and newspapers directly from the internet via wireless network and 3G [14], [15].
I. INTRODUCTION For centuries, reading books or newspapers HAVE implied the use of paper. But with the transition to the digital age this scenario has fundamentally changed. Electronic reading on screens and displays has increasingly become a part of our everyday lives and has changed our reading habits permanently. The increasing range of digital publications coupled with the rise of powerful mobile devices and the willingness of the readers to read on displays replace the printed word bit by bit. Consequently, the design of electronic systems is becoming more and more important and raises the main question: How can electronic devices and print media be designed to satisfy needs of the reader in the same way as it has been done with printed paper? In this study it is assumed that a user-friendly design of dedicated readers has an impact on the user experience and the user acceptance. However a fundamental concept for the user perception in terms of usability aspects in the mobile environment is still missing. Therefore the theoretical framework is one part of this study. The second part of the study is the investigation of the usability aspects to give recommendations for the design of print media on mobile devices. Two devices, the Sony eReader PRS-600 (Touch Edition) and Apple iPad, were selected to represent typical mobile devices of the category dedicated eReader and Tablet-PC. Both devices were tested for different usability aspects regarding their suitability as electronic reading devices to answer the research questions: How user-friendly are the innovative devices and in which way does the usability of a device affect the acceptance of users? © 2012 ACEEE DOI: 02.EDC.2012.01.504
III. CONTEXT OF MOBILE USAGE For the understanding of the context of usage it is important to define the electronic reading process and the different components. Electronic reading can be defined as reading with the help of an electronic device. The focus is on a communicative and interactive process between the reading 118