Worst UI

The worst UI that I have used may be the UI of Samsung Gravity 3. As a smart mobile phone, it has some limits that make it not really smart.

Cons and Advice

(1) It doesn't support user-defined shortcut keys. There are two shortcut keys, "Menu" and "Webtogo". I think user-defined is a necessary function for a smart mobile phone. I don't know why it isn't supported. Each user has his commonly used keys. I like game, while my wife likes listening songs. However, without this function, we must first go into the menu, and then find the program. It will lead to more users' operations. The best solution for the problem is to allow user-defined shortcut keys. It costs less to realize the function, but it means more to users.
(2)Even worse, "Webtogo" is so near to "red phone" key that it is easy to press the shortcut key when user actually would want to end the call. It will cause a lot of expense if users don't have a data plan. I have a lot of such experience.  There are two ways to improve it. First, as said in (1), add user-defined keys, so users can change "Webtogo" to the key they like, such as "Alarm". Even press the wrong key, users will not lose any money. Second, change the layout of keyboard, which can only be realized in its next generation.
(3) It doesn't have sound alert for unread messages and missed calls. Sometimes, I am so busy that I have no extra time to see my phone. As a result, I may miss some important messages and calls unless I examine my phone once 5 minutes. This function is easy to implement in my opinion. So the best way is to update the system to make it support sound alert.

Best UI

The best UI that I have used is Itouch4 8g produced by Apple Inc. Everyone must be a fans of Apple.I am so impressed.

Pros

(1) It supports multitasks. It is a very important improvement since Itouch3. Multitask means that users can make any program run in the background. Suppost that when you are talking with friends via MSN, you hope to check your email. When you switch back, MSN is still running. For itouch3, it was impossible and only could be implemented by some third party programs.

(2) It provides cameras and build-in microphone. Can you imagine that such a good machine doesn't have a microphone and cameras? Before itouch4, there were none. Back camera can help take photos, and front camera and build-in microphone can help make visual communication with friends.

(3) I like it mainly because of its "touch" function. I like the feeling that if you want something, just touch it. I am kind of tired to traditional input devices, like keyboard or mouse. Also, itouch4 supports multitouch. I can use my two fingers to zoom in or out pictures books.

(4) It supports a lot of software, like gmail, msn, twitter, and etc. Almost all routine software in my laptop have their editions of itouch4. So itouch4 is like a multi-touch micro-laptop.

Cons

Actually, I am 100% satisfied with itouch4. It is really hard for me to find some cons. It would be better to add user manuals for novices in the mainframe. Multi-touch system is pretty different with traditional systems. When I first used itouch product, it really cost me half an hour to find how to delete a program.

Introduction About Myself

Hi, everyone, my name is Jianjie Zhang, from Sketch Recognition Lab. My supervisor is Tracy Hammond. I am in the class, because I am very interested in human-computer interaction and desire to obtain a doctor degree in this field. I hope to learn more concepts, ideas, principles from this class.