The Function
I was just using my LG Chocolate (First Version) to take a picture when I realized something odd. When I had taken the picture options came available as seen below (sorry about the poor picture)
Basically the picture shows 3 options: Left: Floppy disc with a cross to outline discard picture. Right: Envelope to outline send picture. Centre: Floppy disc to mean save. This one is highlighted.
The taken picture - I didn't like, so I wanted to discard it. So using the arrow keys on the phone keypad I moved left arrow key (the one labeled with black text). It was here when I noticed something 'weird'.
My Expectation
I was expecting the highlighter to move left (to the position of where the Floppy disk with the cross is situated). However, when I pressed the button, this did not happen. Instead, what happened was the icon with the floppy disc with a cross turned into a envelope. I pressed again and it changed to the icon with the Floppy disc. At first I was like huh? (confused), but then it clicked to me what was happening.
What was happening?
The highlighter is normally the function that moves. However in this particular case it was static and fixed in a central position. This was the first time I had seen something like this.
About the approach
The approach broke the trends of what users are familiar with. Its common to have highlighter the function that moves. This is the case in a number of applications such as when you are selecting an item in a folder and using cover flow (to name a few) etc. In these cases the highlighter moves dependent on where we want it to move. The object(s) we seek are the ones that are in a fixed position.
Good or Bad ?
The approach even though breaks the trend, is still good but only with a small number of items. I believe that if this approach was used with a large quantities of objects then there would be problems because it would be hard to keep track of the movements of the items.
A 'made-up' Example(s) - Bad ?
Imagine when using Apple's Cover Flow instead of going through the covers you are situated in a fixed position and the covers are looped so you flick through them. It would seem like the information is coming to you rather than you having to look for it.
Another example can be when you are in a window with a list of documents. You use the arrow keys to scroll through the items. The highlighter moves down going through the documents. However what would be the outcome if the highlight was fixed and the items moved through the highlighter.
In these cases, the movement of the objects could be distracting as there might be a lot of visual movement if not structured in the right manner. However, it could beneficial in the sense that it allows users who are unsure where they have placed an object or unsure what is called can have the objects 'come to them' rather than scan over the place it is in i.e. folder.
An 'actual' Example(s) - Good ?
An example of where this approach has been implemented I believe to good effect is on the EDS website http://www.eds.com/ If you click on the link and wait a few seconds you should see something like...
You can use the arrow keys to move through the information. This example has been implemented visually and it works well.
Considerations & Thoughts
I would be interesting to know if this approach is graphical dependent and on upon the number of opportunities available.
To actual know the effectiveness of this kind of approach there are things that need to be considered and answered such as Would this make navigation easier ? Would people have to remember more ? Would they have to pay more attention ? Would they be able to find a needle in a haystack ? Would it work in a list format or visual format ?
These are only a few things to think about, but maybe something to explore in the future.
