Here’s some useful information to consider when working on your applications UI for a Netbook. This post discusses some common UI issues with the desire of helping you create applications for Netbooks that work well and take advantage of the hardware.
Issue and Recommendation
Less usable screen space than a desktop- Eliminate unnecessary UI components, take full screen.
- Avoid screen edges and corners, as selection areas.
Dialogs don’t fit on the screen
- Consider wider dialogs, design your interface to keep dialogs small.
Screen not large enough to present data
- Use vertical scrolling with controls large enough to facilitate usage.
Interface needs additional input
- Use hardware buttons for most desired functionality.
Accidental activation
- Buttons need to be large enough for both finger and stylus input.
- Provide a way for users to back out of any screen.
Additional navigation desired
- Use on screen navigation controls. Make them large enough to use and select.
Additional UI considerations
Because of the touch screen display, you should account for accidental actuation.
Always provide a way to get back to the prior screen.
Users may point with either a finger or the pen tip.
Increase the size of the selection target area to support touch. 10mm is the recommended hit area for touch UI.
Display resolution is small. In some cases items such as dialogs may be restricted by the screen size.
What will your users do if they cannot click the “ok” button as it’s off screen?
The edges of the screen are difficult to target. The bottom of screen is especially hard to target. Make sure your customers can get to the UI they need to activate.
Make close buttons, minimize buttons, and other static UI transparent.
Anchor dialog boxes to the top and left, as opposed to the center of the form.
Dialog boxes tend to be tall and narrow, design to take advantage of the wider screen.
The following suggestions focus on movement within your application.- Scrolling up, down, left, and right makes an application hard to use.
- When necessary, use vertical scrolling. Minimize use of horizontal scrolling.
- Use the existing hardware buttons to your advantage.
- Build on-screen navigation buttons.
- Larger controls help with navigation.
Comments
Informative article. Thanks!
I haven't done much with netbooks in mind, but from what I have I remember being annoyed with the height issues more than width (as you point out with dialog boxes.) I've NEVER gone down the touch road...I think I'll just stick my head in the sand and hope that's a fad. :)
I'm agree with DevAtom. Thanks to author!
Creating the netbook UI for anything can be a difficult process when you take into account every thing that has to be done. When you are able to BETA test everything one needs to make sure all bases are covered. Thanks for sharing these insights.
thank you fou you share
I'm working on one for an iPad right now.. this info is still relevant. Thanks Dale!
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