Sociable TV: Exploring User-Led Interaction Design for Older Adults

The adoption of digital television (DTV) could be particularly attractive for older people if appropriately designed. This paper explores the development of a novel interaction design approach specifically to support people who are reluctant or have difficulty using desktop technologies. Using a simplified remote control, four different navigational layouts were tested and evaluated with older users, primarily to assess their ease of use. The results presented indicate promising new directions in the development of visualization and navigation metaphors and concepts within the context of user-led activities on DTV for older adults.