New ways of interacting with software, like touch and voice, mean a rethinking of how we develop our associated user assistance. This session describes how micro-concise instructions can significantly improve our users’ initial experience with the mobile apps. It will also cover the vocabulary of touch as it applies to both mobile platforms and the emerging use with desktop systems.

1. Design, Writing, & Development
for Touch and Voice
Applications and Devices
Joe
Welinske
joewe@writersua.com
Twitter: welinske

2. A Major Inflection Point
• New interactions with the UI…
• …require new techniques and processes
• Proprietary interactions…
• …make software development harder
• Uniquely customized UIs…
• …require decisions about language

3. Touch Today
• SmartPhones
• Tablets: iPad / Kindle Fire / Google Nexus
• Mac OSx Trackpad
• Windows 7 Touchpad
• Automotive Dash
• and now, Windows 8
desktop and tablets

4. Multi-touch Controls
• Multi-touch controls are not easily discoverable
• Multi-touch gestures to trigger certain
features.
Quickoffice PhotoPad AccuTerra
x x

6. Tablet dimensions:
allow for more activity
which can mean a
complex touch UI

8. The Ultimate Touch Easter Egg

9. The Language of Gestures
• Individual word choices are extremely
important
• It is worth testing with users to find the
best words.
• Word choices may change depending on
the mobile platform

10. Gesture Language in UA
ToonPAINT Weightbot AutoCAD
x x

11. Gesture Language in UA
Convertbot Calvetica eBay
x x

12. Gesture Resources
Touch Gesture
Reference Guide
www.lukew.com/ff/en
try.asp?1071
• iOS
• Android
• Windows Phone
• Mac
• Windows
• Others

13. Gesture Comparison by Platform/Device

14. Gesture Comparison by Platform/Device

15. Translation Issues for Gesture Terms

16. Single-sourcing for Multiple Device Types
• Conditional Text
• Based on device type
• Based on UI type
• HTML5 / CSS / Media Query
• Authoring Tools

17. Device-specific instructions using
conditional text

18. Device-specific instructions
Phone
Laptop
TV

19. Interaction-specific instructions
Tablet
Car
Phone
Laptop
TV

20. Windows 8

21. NFC
Phone
Tablet
Desktop
Car
Dash
Home
Ent.

22. Other UI Elements
• Device-specific controls need consideration
Gallery of Android Sony Xperia Play
button bars

23. iPhone User Guide
Supplemental
Use of icons language
x
Set…
Turn…
Focus…
Zoom

24. Custom Language Choices
Select Edit Share
a. b. c.
x x
Double tap, hold Drag your finger
and drag to select while holding

25. Custom Language Choices – Windows Phone
Fantasia Paint Office Word
x
Photo Collage Tasks Anywhere
x

26. Voice Today
• iOS Siri
• Office ?
• Android Google Voice
• Ford Sync

27. Design, Writing, & Development
for Touch and Voice
Applications and Devices
Joe
Welinske
joewe@writersua.com
Twitter: welinske