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Design of Palm Pilot. Rob Haitani Presented by: Pankaj Thakkar. Overview of Palm Pilot. PIM Functionality Not a PC replacement Single button Hot Sync capability Touch sensitive screen with handwriting recognition Less is More. Dimensions: 4.7” x 3.1” x 0.6” Weight: 5.7 ounces
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Design of Palm Pilot Rob Haitani Presented by: Pankaj Thakkar
Overview of Palm Pilot • PIM Functionality • Not a PC replacement • Single button Hot Sync capability • Touch sensitive screen with handwriting recognition • Less is More • Dimensions: 4.7” x 3.1” x 0.6” • Weight: 5.7 ounces • Power Source: 2 AAA batteries • Screen: 160x160 pixels; black & white; touch sensitive • Processor: Motorola 68238 • Operating System: PalmOS
Design Goals • Build a better device than existing handhelds like Zoomer and Newton • Support a limited functionality efficiently • Quick and instant access to information (frequently) • Target audience: PC users • Not a replacement for PCs. Provide Hot-Sync capability to synchronize information with PCs. • Do the right thing
Non PC Design • Don’t emulate the PC design blindly • Mechanical buttons as well as software buttons • No “Save” buttons/functions • No application switching • Predictability more important than consistency • Software Miniaturization
Implementation Notes • Every pixel counts. No fancy features • Make frequent tasks/functions easily accessible (e.g. by reducing the number of taps) • If in doubt, do a user-test to evaluate • Minimize clutter. Assess user requirements.
Steps to Success • Wireless two way email through handheld • Context sensitive buttons (appearing/disappearing) • No menu support ? (As of now Palm does support pull down menus)
Usability Analysis • Research about user preferences and requirements • Do user testing from the beginning of the project • Phone Test: If the other person can tell if you are using a Palm for accessing information (like schedule, phone numbers)
Palm v/s Windows CE • CE design close to PC (windows) design • CE uses menu, Palm does not • According to Palm people, CE has extra bells and whistles, the sluggish performance will be annoying • Palm design is kept simple and it is made to do specific functions only
Conclusions • Users want an efficient appliance (designed to do specific tasks) not a small PC • The interface needs to be simple and predictable • Many of the design principles which hold in PC world are not applicable in handhelds • Have many special purpose information appliances than a big bulky all rounder