OVERVIEW

1.1. Introduction

1.2. What are mobile devices?

1.3. Impoverished or extraordinary interfaces?

1.4. Impoverishing interactions?

1.5. Outline of the rest of this book

KEY POINTS

'Mobile' means more than 'mobile phone': handhelds, wearables, badges, RFID tags and even implants will play an important part in the future.

The emerging technologies offer interesting interaction possibilities involving audio, touch and gestures.

There are competing visions of what mobiles should do and be - are they for communication or information? Fashion or utility?

While some feel that these small devices have 'impoverished interfaces' the bigger problem is the impoverished designs being developed.

Interaction design is about finding the right ways to deploy the dazzling new technological capabilities to meet real user needs.

Without effective interaction design, there will be negative emotional, economic and ethical impacts.