Overview
This project is really how I got in to mobile interaction design. Originally, Orange approached us with the concern that people could not use the menus on their handsets. Harold Thimbleby came up with a neat idea of how to solve the problem and I spent the next few years refining and testing the idea. Eventually, we had a system that is demonstrably better that hierarchical menus.
So, why aren't you using it on your phone? Well, the system works similarly to predictive text and the people who invented that (Tegic) wrote a very good patent that prevented us from taking the idea further. Ah well.
Following on from that work, I developed some ideas around replacing the menu structure with a deck of WAP cards. This means that there is no 'menu' or 'wap' mode and that the 'back' key behaves consistently. As I sit here cursing my i-mate SP5 stupid back key, I wish someone would implement this on a real handset.
People
Harold Thimbleby, Matt Jones and Paul Gillary
Publications
Marsden, G. & Jones, M. (2002) “Ubiquitous Computing and Cellular Handsets—are menus the best way forward?” South African Computer Journal, , 28, pp. 67-74 (Re-publication of SAICSIT 2002 paper (PDF 110k)
Marsden, G., Gillary, P., Thimbleby, H. & Jones, M. (2002) “The Use of Algorithms in Interface Design.” International Journal of Personal and Ubiquitous Technologies, Volume 6(2) pp.132-140. (Word2000 190k)
Marsden, G. & Jones, M. (2001) “Ubiquitous Computing and Cellular Handsets—are menus the best way forward?” Proceedings SAICSIT 2001, pp.111–119. (“Best paper” at conference winner) (PDF 110k)
Marsden, G., Thimbleby, H., Jones, M. & Gillary, P. (2000) Successful User Interface Design from Efficient Computer Algorithms. CHI 2000 Extended Abstracts – page 181-182 (PDF 30k)
Marsden, G. & Gillary, P. (1999) Accessing features in mobile telephone handsets. Short paper and poster. Ancillary proceedings "People and Computers XIV" (Word 430k)
Marsden, G. (1999) Cellphone feeding frenzy. November 1999 .Mail & Guardian PC Review section
Jones, M. & Marsden G (1997). From the large to the small screen - retaining the designer's design for effective user interaction. IEE Colloquium on Issues for Networked Interpersonal Communications, Digest No:97/139.
Marsden, G. & Jones, M. (1998). Are we victims of gadget mania? Independent Newspaper. April 24th. (http://www.independent.co.uk/net/980324ne/index.html)
Marsden, G. & Jones, M. (1998). "Science View" BBC World Service broadcast. April 12th
Downloads
On-line verson of Nokia 5110
On-line version of the new design
Instructions for new phone