Using the Kano model to analyze the user interface needs of middle-aged and older adults in mobile reading

Abstract

As society ages and mobile technology develops, the percentage of middle-aged and older adults using a smart phone for mobile reading is increasing. However, existing mobile reading apps have not been designed with middle-aged and older users in mind. This study investigated 14 mobile reading apps targeting users in Taiwan and evaluated middle-aged and older adults’ needs for user interfaces. Usability interface comprises the aspects of font style, navigation, page turning, and text to speech, whereas ease-of-understanding interface comprises the aspects of infographics, category, and item information. This study designed a questionnaire and obtained 187 valid responses from middle-aged and older adults. The Kano model was used to analyze the participants’ needs. Research results indicated that font style was the only one-dimensional attribute, whereas the remaining interfaces were attractive attributes. The participants reported that the two design interfaces of font style list and adjustable line spacing button met their aging visual needs. This study also found that Line Today and Facebook were the most popular reading apps for middle-aged and older adults in Taiwan. Although the platforms’ interfaces did not completely meet the preferences of most middle-aged and older adults, using these interfaces provided a pleasant experience for them.

Keywords

• Population aging
• Mobile reading
• User interface
• Kano model