Sony Playstation 3

Introduction

Everyday we interact with different interfaces such as mobile phones, computers, cash machines and game concludes. This is a growing market and businesses need to make sure the interface is not only attractive to the eye but also easy to use.

Interface Design

The interface that I have decided to talk about next is the Playstation 3, which isn’t just your typical game console, as it also includes a built in BluRay, which is the lastest product in the electronic entertainment industry.

The Sony Playstation 3 is the newest technology in video gaming; the operating system has been streamlined to allow the user easy interaction with the device. When you plug the console in and switch it on you use the Playstation gamepad supplied with the console to wirelessly go through the simple setup (date and time etc.) which then finally restarts the console and the next generation gaming begins with a nice boot up sequence. The operating is simple using the same styled operating system that people became accustomed to when using the Playstation Portable. Half of the interaction (pending on what you want to do is done here) you can:-
o Change Settings
o View Images
o View Videos
o Play Music
o Play Games
o Playstation Store
o Browse the Internet
All from one simple menu
This makes using the basis of the console extremely easy for anyone. The rest of the interaction that takes place is when playing the games which use the same controller used to control the Playstation but a different control set which is supplied by the people who created the game.


The interaction takes place because the user wishes to perform a certain task on the Playstation 3. Any of the above actions can be performed at the users whim, the majority of the interaction takes place though because people want to play on games. To do this the disk is loaded into the Playstation and then the menu automatically switches to display the Game loaded into the Drive and the user can decide whether to load the game or to continue what they were doing on the Operating system. After this point the interaction depends on the game although the control that is used is still the same.

The target user group is anyone who would like a home entertainment system. The Playstation seamlessly connects to your home network and allows you to play your music through your Playstation with minimum effort, while playing the most advanced games on the market with ease and also having a BluRay DVD player which is the new up and coming DVD format for viewing movies in HD. This means that the console itself is aimed towards any home user and the design of the console is so easy to use that anyone could pick it up given a bit of time with the console.

The structure of the interaction is that you switch on the device by pushing a button on the Playstation or the Control Pad. Once this is done the Operating System is loaded and the user can instantly begin doing whatever they would like to do on the Playstation, from browsing the internet to watching DVDs.

We know how to interact because of three things:-
o Documentation that comes with the console (very descriptive user guides).
o Simple to follow on screen instructions.
o Online help that the Playstation offers that links to a massive database of “How To” documents for the Playstation.

The feedback you get is highly dependent on what you would like to do. Almost everything on the Playstation though has a help menu associated with it so if you would like to do anything the Playstation will guide you through. If you click on “Images” then you will be able to browse images, it is as simple as what you see is what you get.

There from what I can tell are no difficulties with the interaction process at all. The controller is lightweight and has a simple intuitive layout that anyone can see what button their pressing in correspondence to the instructions on screen. The only difficulties would be when trying to perform highly advanced features that the Playstation supports such as installing a separate OS such as Linux or advanced networking to create a link between a Playstation Portable and the Playstation 3.

The rewards of interacting with the Playstation 3 are phenomenal. The console is outstanding to use and you always feel like you are playing with something that shouldn’t be out for another 50 years which is what Sony seemed to be aiming for, from the futuristic case design to the “too simple it can’t be true” to use interface the Sony Playstation 3 keeps giving no matter what you need to do.

The Playstation offers the most satisfying experience of any next generation console out today and allows amazing features with simple interaction. Being able to play Next Generation Games while watching HD DVD’s and listening to your music from the other side of the house with one piece of hardware and a simple to use interface is something that will stun people for a long time to come.

Reference
http://regmedia.co.uk/2007/03/23/ps3_front_main.jpg - image of Playstation 3

http://content.answers.com/main/content/wp/en/1/14/Blu-ray_Disc.svg.png - Blue ray image

Apple iPod Nano

Introduction

Everyday we interact with different interfaces such as mobile phones, computers, cash machines and game concludes. This is a growing market and businesses need to make sure the interface is not only attractive to the eye but also easy to use.

Interface Design

The interface that I have decided to talk about is the Apple iPod Nano The reason I have decided to do this product is because I have so far spoken about mobile phones, and cash machines, which are too well used products, but Apple is one company who does use a lot of different features when it comes to there interface designs.

The Interaction takes place in the same user interface, everything that the user needs to access is on one screen using one control. The screen is of a good size so everything can be seen clearly and then the interaction control is the patented Apple iPod Click-Wheel. This one control allows the user to perform all functions on the software (switching on/off, selecting music, music control, creating play list, changing settings, playing games etc.). Another control worth mentioning is the “Hold” switch on the top of the iPod which locks all controls down so that nothing can be accidentally pushed when the iPod is in the users pocket etc.

The interaction takes place because it is the only way for the device to work, no matter how you set up the iPod it requires user interaction to be able to use any of the functions, from turning it on to actually playing the music. This is a good feature because it means that the user knows that they are activating some function meaning they won’t accidentally have it switched on wasting battery. The majority of the interaction would be the user deciding which music to play / creating a play list.

The target user group because of its lightweight design and simple to use features this MP3 player would be aimed towards anyone that wanted a light portable device to play music files while on the go in the day to day world. There is nothing complex about the usage of the iPod and Apple has put in a lot of effort to make sure that everything is automated i.e. when you plug the iPod into the computer to update music it will automatically transfer all music from your Library to the iPod’s memory while the user sits back and watches, the only interaction is plugging the iPod into the computer.

The Apple though simple to use isn’t completely self explanatory, because of the one control to use the entire software of the MP3 player Apple needs to supply a user manual to explain how to work the device, compared to other iPod’s and MP3 players it is fairly simple to use and people would pick it up easily, for novices the User Manual supplied is very descriptive and will help anyone use the iPod to it’s full functionality.

The feedback you receive is simple, what you see is what you get. If you click on the “Music” section you will then receive a list of different music categories until you find your music, everything on the iPod itself is well described and the layout is perfect for all users.

The main difficulty would be figuring the different functions on the one control i.e. if you hold the “Play” button it will switch the iPod On/Off where as if you just click it, it will Play/Pause the music currently in your playlist, if there’s nothing in your playlist then nothing will happen. The majority of these issues can be solved reading the User Manual supplied with the iPod and other parts are learnt with experience of using the MP3 player.

The rewards of being able to interact with this device is a nice easy to use interface that maximises customization ability of an MP3 player which a lot of MP3 players don’t offer (i.e. creating custom playlists through an easy to view list of files on the MP3 player). The iPod is often referred to being one of the best MP3 players on the market because of its interface which would be a big reward to any user.

The iPod on the whole was a satisfying experience, Setup and use was simple enough and the quality of the device was sound. Apple did a good job of squeezing a lot of technology into a tiny device while keeping all of its functionality of larger devices.

It would be hard to call it engaging because as stated before the biggest part of the interaction was selecting the music where as the rest is automated, the ability of just being able to click one button to play/pause etc. When it is easily accessible has to be one of the best features of this device.

Reference

http://www.ipresents.co.uk/i/stuff/ipod-nano-1gb-review.jpg - Image of the Ipod Nano

Cash Machines

Introduction

Everyday we interact with different interfaces such as mobile phones, computers, cash machines and game concludes. This is a growing market and businesses need to make sure the interface is not only attractive to the eye but also easy to use.

Interface Design

The interface that I have decided to talk a bout on this blog is cash machines, the reason I have picked this is because practically everyone uses them so the interface design must be basic so even the most un-electronic person can understand how to use it.

The image to the side shows what a typical cash machine looks like and pinpoints what each part on the machine means.

The Interaction takes place firstly by entering your card into the slot located near a sign which will tell you what cards are accepted in the machine. Once the machine has loaded the card details you are required to give a four number password (pin number) to prove that you haven’t just randomly found that card on the floor, and that it does actually belong to you.

Once you have provided your pin number, you will be directed to a screen which has a number of options such as:

• Withdraw


• Balance


• Change pin


• Mini statement


• Request full statement

Also certain options depend on where you use the card, as it is only your own personal back’s cash machines that you can get the Mini statement from.

You can select your option by the buttons which are placed on the side, and then once you have clicked onto it, you just keep pressing until you get the overall outcome you needed.

The interaction which takes place happens for one main goal which is to give the user what s/he requires whether it is to check there account balance or take money out. Overall I believe that a cash machine is simple to use, as it doesn’t use advance feature, the interface is plain (rather boring) and simple. This is the best way of keeping it to a degree, due to many older people who do not keep up to date on the latest interface, and technologies.

The target uses for a cash machine is anyone with a card, the normal age which people tend to get cash cards is 16, so from ages 16 – 116! Both males and females also use them, so due to this the cash machines to have to cater for a lot of people who have different levels when it comes to technology.

The feedback which is given, is the one you expect which is by going through each stage from inserting the card to the overall aim of what your trying to achieve (whether its taken money, checking etc…). The cash machines show it by responding and sending you to the right place for what you’re doing.

The only difficulties involved in the interactive processes is the fact it sometimes takes along time to process the card details, but apart from that it keeps with a basic interface which everyone from a young to old age can understand.

The other main concern which I would like to note is that, your card can actually been swallowed by the machine, this is rare, and only tends to happen when you enter the pin number wrong more than 3 times or there is an error with the machine processing your card.

The rewards of interacting, is a quick and easy way of getting what you need which for some people is easier rather than stand in a queue in the bank.

Reference

http://img.alibaba.com/photo/11269842/Triton_Cash_Machine.jpg - Image of cash machine with arrows.

http://www.cartoonstock.com/newscartoons/cartoonists/mba/lowres/mban222l.jpg - Cartoon of an old people using a cash machine.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/olmedia/800000/images/_801719_abbey300.jpg – Image of cash being withdrawn

Mobile Phone: Sony Ericsson W500i & K800i

Introduction

Everyday we interact with different interfaces such as mobile phones, computers, cash machines and game concludes. This is a growing market and businesses need to make sure the interface is not only attractive to the eye but also easy to use.

Interface Design

The interface that I have decided to talk a bout is the Mobile phones, and to break it down easier I have picked two phones from the Sony Ericsson range to speak about, which are:

• W500i
• K800i

The reason I have decided on these two phones is because the W500i is now quiet an old phone in the Sony range, while the K800i is still quiet new, and comparing two phones will give a greater understanding of the interface’s of the phones.

The Interaction takes place is firstly started off by turning on the phone, which on both these phones, appears at the top with a “(l)” type symbol. This symbol is a wide used one, for meaning to turn on/off. Once the phone is turned on, you can easily use the Buttons, to find your way around the phone, I believe this is a quick and easy way to find your way around the phone, and as both the Sony Ericsson have buttons in the middle, although different can also been set as short cuts to well used functions.


Well the interaction takes place for many purposes, the main one being satisfying the users’ needs. Both phones I believe do this, but they both have a different main reason, for why they were created as the W500i is based in the Sony Ericsson Walkman range (shown by a slight wavy orange symbol featured on the button which allows you to go straight to the music player.) Rather than the K800i, which with it’s 3.2 camera with Cypershot is used for taken photos.

The target uses for both phones, I believe are for all age groups, this is because people of all age are likely to want to listen to their favourite tunes while bored at home, or on long bus journey’s, as well as everyone wanting to take photos whether its of the family or on crazy nights out with your friends.
The structure of the interaction depends on what on the phone you are doing, as I said above, the symbol on the w500i which allows you to go straight to the music player, is a very easy tool which everyone no matter how old should be able to understand, straight away, as well as using the camera on the k800i which is just simply taken the cover of the camera lenses.

Both phones, as well as other phones come with booklets, which describes how to get to everything on the phone, but for those people who don’t like reading them, the only main problems with this phone is knowing where certain functions such as Bluetooth is under which isn’t hard once you find it, due to it being under the settings option in the main menu, as once you have found the settings option, everything such as:
• General
o Profiles
o Time’s & Date
o Language
o Voice Control
o Etc...
• Sounds & Alerts
o Ring Volume
o Ringtone
o Silent mode
o Etc…
• Display
o Wallpaper
o Theme
o Screen saver
o Etc…
• Calls
o Divert calls
o Manage Calls
o Time & cost
o Handsfree
• Connection
o Infrared port
o Bluetooth
o USB
o Etc…


As well as the booklet, and practically everything been put into appropriate folders, the Sony Ericsson range, also have and interactive option when you first get the phone, which tells you all the basic’s so you don’t have to read the book, so with these three key steps, you should have no problem what so ever finding anything.

The feedback which is given, is the one you expect which is to allow you with a touch of a button change settings, play music, play games, whatever you want from the option you have decided to press.

The only difficulties involved in the interactive processes is actually pressing the buttons, but that’s only if you use the palm of your thumb or have very long nails, but I suspect most people check the phone before they buy it, so that should not be a problem what so ever, the only difficulty I have personally ever found with the phone is trying to set up Handsfree but that was more down to the Handsfree set rather than the phone.

The rewards of interacting, is getting exactly what you want and expect from the product depending which phone it is. The phone has a very high speed rate, so your not waiting around for a function to load, well over than when you are downloading something of the internet function or loading a game, which happens with anything you download/load of the internet or on your game consol anyway.

The understanding overall is sanctifying due to the phone’s being so easy to use, also if you, like myself pick phones from the same companies, being able to use the upgrade takes seconds to get to grips with.


Reference

http://regmedia.co.uk/2006/08/03/se_k800i_1.jpg - Image of K800i
http://www.mobi.ru/Articles/3/611/sonye_walkmans.jpg - Image of W500i