2 - User characteristics

Abstract

This chapter emphasizes some of the individual characteristics that could have an impact on the way one uses mobile applications, devices, and services. It focuses on the user characteristics such as personality, cognitive skills (such as memory, spatial ability, and verbal ability), age, and experience of mobile technology; and shows the ways in which these user characteristics can affect people's attitude towards a mobile application or a device. In addition, individual characteristics, such as age, can also have an effect on how effectively or efficiently an individual can use a mobile application. It is a complex process to investigate and identify the effects of individual differences (such as age, personality, and previous experience) on people's interaction with mobile technology and their attitude toward using mobile devices and applications. However, it is important for the designers and product developers to realize that for most of the mobile devices and applications that they develop, the user population is heterogeneous.