Project factsheet

In recent years smartphones have become increasingly common, but few seniors have acquired them. The concept smartphone, JusFone, is meant to be a senior-friendly smartphone. It has an innovative keyboard, and a user interface based on the principles of universal design. In this project we have user-tested the JusFone keyboard with seniors as well as conducted a number of related research tasks. The chief goal was to conduct user-testing of the concept phone JusFone on seniors to generate feedback to be used in further product development, as well as contribute to the general development of accessible mobile phones. We had four sub-goals:

1. User testing of a prototype of the JusFone keyboard with seniors.
2. Map what functions seniors would like in a smartphone, and what services they would like to use.
3. Disseminate findings.
4. Use the project as a basis for a possible application for a bigger project.

The Norwegian Computing Center coordinated the project, supervised focus groups, and conducted the user testing of the JusFone keyboard. In addition, we ran a survey on seniors and mobile phones, as well as hosted an all-day seminar on smartphones and accessibility.

RichChan has gained insight into how the Jusfone concept works with the target group. RichChan has received feedback on how well the keyboard works and what sort of things elderly people desire in their user interfaces and smartphones.

We hope that the different efforts and subsequent dissemination activities will result in more accessible and better-designed smartphones and a better smartphone experiences in the future.

We can divide our results into both the JusFone Keyboard and the Mobile Phone Survey:

User testing of JusFone keyboard

The JusFone keyboard was quite well received by the test persons. The prominent positive aspects of the keyboard were: direct access to all letters and numbers, effective for editing, and good for writing longer texts and texts consisting of letters, numbers and different symbols. Several informants favored the JusFone method to other input methods. The keyboard holds promise for persons with reduced hand function as an alternative input method. Some areas that need improving are spacing between keys, size of letters and improved editing functionality by adding a Delete button.

Mobile Phone Survey

Certain groups of seniors use mobile phones in ways that are similar to younger user groups. They have similar sets of needs and desires when they are shopping for new phones. Apps are slowly taking hold among groups of seniors. Increasing the battery life and making buttons easier to use (e.g., making them larger) would address the issues that some seniors have when using their mobile phones. Using their phones as a method of payment is of interest to seniors. Despite privacy and ethical issues that are involved with tracking, the majority of respondents are interested in GPS technology, whether it is for getting help when they are lost, or to help when they are traveling in unfamiliar areas. There is a moderate wish to use the mobile phone as a journal for storing health information or to receive physiological data on the phone from body sensors.

Overall, we are pleased with the project. We achieved all the goals that we set out to reach. In doing so we produced some new knowledge about seniors and mobile phone usage, gave important input to the further development of JusFone – and we were able promote the inclusive design of smartphones through the seminar, the project report and future publications. Please, see project report for further information.