Cross-platform usability model evaluation

Abstract

It is becoming common for several devices to be utilised together to access and manipulate shared information spaces and migrate tasks between devices. Despite the increased worldwide use of cross-platform services, there is limited research into how cross-platform service usability can be assessed. This paper presents a novel cross-platform usability model. The model employs the think-aloud protocol, observations, and questionnaires to reveal cross-platform usability problems. Two Likert scales were developed for measuring overall user satisfaction of cross-platform usability and user satisfaction with the seamlessness of the transition between one device and another. The paper further employs a series of objective measures for the proposed model. The viability and performance of the model were examined in the context of evaluating three cross-platform services across three devices. The results demonstrate that the model is a valuable method for assessing and quantifying cross-platform usability. The findings were thoroughly analysed and discussed, and subsequently used to refine the model. The model was also evaluated by eight user experience experts and seven out of the eight agreed that it is useful.