Cell phone design for teenage use

In this paper we present a study that addresses teenager preferences about and attitudes towards mobile devices. We specifically addressed physical aspects such as input modalities, form-factor, size and weight, based on discussion groups (a total of 31 participants) with two different target groups defined by age: 15-17 and 20-25 years old. In addition to physical aspects, we addressed the features that are particularly important to the participants based on user-created design sketches of their ideal mobile phone of the future. In a follow-up, 3 workshops (21 participants) were held aimed at developing new ideas for services that are designed for the target group. We found a remarkable preference for numeric keypad as the input method of choice. Touch screen interaction was mentioned as appealing, but this feeling was mediated by concerns regarding durability and usability. Form-factors varied between participants, users are open for new and innovative form factors, where the final looks are more important than the specific form (“it has to look cool”). The discussions on functionality and features can roughly be classified in rough trends of ideas focussing on integration and standardization, security, and personalization.

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