14 <section id="GUID-5A2B0210-EE1A-4B8F-A714-F7CA1EC2B1EA"> <p>Rather than being

    14 <section id="GUID-5A2B0210-EE1A-4B8F-A714-F7CA1EC2B1EA"> <p>Applications can

    15 touch-enabled, certain applications can be touch-optimized, that is, designed

    15 be designed primarily for touch screen interaction (touch-optimized) instead

    16 primarily for touch screen interaction. When developing applications for a

    16 of being touch-enabled. While developing applications for a touch interface,

    17 touch interface, it is important to consider interactions which benefit the

    17 the design considerations must be based on interactions that benefit the most

    18 most from touch UI. While physical strokes and gestures allow for more natural

    18 from touch UI. Physical strokes and gestures allows natural interaction with

    19 interaction with objects, the fact that one can apply them does not mean they

    19 objects but must be used appropriately. </p><p>Following are few useful tips

    20 are appropriate for every situation. </p><p>Following are some useful tips

    20 that can be used when designing applications for touch interface: <ul>

    21 that can be used when designing applications for touch use: <ul>

    21 <li><p>Design decisions must be based on real-time touch use cases.</p></li>

    22 <li><p>It is imperative that design decisions are based on real-time touch

    22 <li><p>Only obvious functions can be made touch-enabled. </p></li>

    23 use cases.</p></li>

    23 </ul></p><p>Following are the important features of touch:</p><ul>

    24 <li><p>Since touch functions require a fair amount of discovery from the user,

    24 <li><p><b>Flexibility</b> - Virtual keyboard provides more flexibility than

    25 it is good if only very obvious functions are made touch-enabled. </p></li>

    25 fixed hardware keys. The dynamically changing interface allows for flexible

    26 </ul></p><p><b>Why to use touch</b></p><ul>

    26 configurations depending on the functionality requirements, languages, and

    27 <li><p><b>More flexible:</b> Compared to fixed hardware keys, the interface

    27 so on. Also, indirect strokes and gestures provide flexibility reducing the

    28 can change dynamically. This allows for more flexible configurations depending

    28 need for physical buttons.</p><fig id="GUID-30369880-1F00-440E-A12C-2C75511FDEE8">

    29 on the functionality requirements, languages, and so on. Thus a very small

    29 <image href="GUID-785160B9-A6BC-47FA-957E-5BB87E79B4E7_d0e69648_href.png" placement="inline"/>

    30 screen can change its buttons as required. Also, with indirect strokes and

    31 gestures, there are numerous possibilities of flexibility. No use of physical

    32 buttons is required.</p><fig id="GUID-30369880-1F00-440E-A12C-2C75511FDEE8">

    33 <image href="GUID-785160B9-A6BC-47FA-957E-5BB87E79B4E7_d0e74811_href.png" placement="inline"/>

    35 <li><p><b>More intuitive:</b> Manipulating objects directly by touching them

    31 <li><p><b>Intuitive</b> - Manipulating objects directly by touching them is

    36 is natural and intuitive. Keyboards, mice, trackballs, and other input devices

    32 natural and intuitive. Touch interface allows better real-time experience

    37 are not able to convey as much subtlety as touch can. Direct manipulation

    33 for end users. Strokes and gestures encourage play and exploration of a system

    38 can deliver a lot more meaning to controlling a tool. </p></li>

    34 by providing a more hands-on experience.</p></li>

    39 <li><p><b>More fun:</b> One can design a game in which users press a button

    40 and an on-screen avatar swings a tennis racket. But it can be simply more

    41 entertaining to mimic movements physically, and to see the action mirrored

    42 on-screen. Strokes and gestures encourage play and exploration of a system

    43 by providing a more hands-on experience. </p></li>

    44 <li><p><b>More engaging:</b> Through play, users start to engage with the

    45 interface, first by trying it out to see how it works. </p></li>

    47 <li><p><b>Heavy data input:</b> A hardware keyboard is faster for most people

    36 <li><p><b>Data input</b> - touch devices are not ideal for applications involving

    48 to use when entering a large amount of text or numbers, and applications which

    37 huge data entry. Virtual keyboards are adequate, for example, for messaging

    49 involve heavy data input are not necessarily ideal for touch devices. Virtual

    38 applications. Consider utilizing adaptive methods such as options and selections

    50 keyboards are adequate, for example, for messaging applications. Consider

    39 filtered according to what is available on the screen or in a list - and pre-filled

    51 utilizing adaptive methods - such as options and selections filtered according

    40 items, when possible.</p></li>

    52 to what is available on the screen or in a list - and pre-filled items, when

    41 <li><p><b>Reliance on the visual</b> - Although the Symbian platform provides

    53 possible.</p></li>

    42 tactile feedback capability, some applications rely more on visual feedback

    54 <li><p><b>Reliance on the visual:</b> While the Symbian platform provides

    43 to indicate actions. Allow for scalability, larger buttons and text sizes,

    55 tactile feedback capability, some applications can rely heavily on visual

    44 for example, for visually impaired users.</p></li>

    56 feedback to indicate actions. Allow for scalability, larger buttons and text

    45 <li><p><b>Reliance on the physical</b> - Touch interface can be more demanding

    57 sizes, for example, for visually impaired users.</p></li>

    46 on the physical context than mechanical keys. Subtle and small movements are

    58 <li><p><b>Reliance on the physical: </b>Touch interface can be more demanding

    47 less likely to be achieved. For example, tapping a touch screen

    59 on the physical context than mechanical keys. Tapping a touch screen button

    48 button while wearing winter gloves or with long fingernails can be difficult.

    60 can be difficult while wearing winter gloves, or with long fingernails. The

    49 To overcome this limitation, the basic use cases, such as answering an incoming

    61 inverse is also true: the more subtle and small the movement, the less likely

    50 phone call, must utilize large elements and simple interaction.</p></li>

    62 it is that everyone will be able to do it. To overcome this, the most basic

    63 use cases, such as answering an incoming phone call, must utilize large enough

    64 elements and straightforward interaction.</p></li>