Advancements in User Interfaces by Example UX/UI - Case Study Example

UX/UI

There is rapid development in the personal computing and technology sector accompanied by advancements in user interfaces that seek to improve user experiences when engaging with the digital products. These tools are designed to provide a form of interaction between the user and the personal computer or mobile device, considering that computers and humans use different languages. UI refers to the points through which users and computers interact and communicate (Rouse, n.d). A user interface, therefore, allows people to perform various functions using computerized processors. However, the user interface can result in either positive or negative user experiences depending on how it is designed. This challenge necessitates that design teams ensure that they follow certain protocols that ensure effectiveness and ease of use of the final product by clients, including their emotional reaction. User experience, therefore, is a process that interface developers use in creating meaningful and relevant products for users extending to cover pleasure, efficiency, and fun (Interaction Design Foundation, n.d). The goal of UX designers is not only to ensure usability but also to create a product that users will be happy to use. One such product is Microsoft's Windows 10, which represents the firm's effort to constantly improve users' experience and usability of their product. This version is widely used and comes with new features hence the need to evaluate it as a way of understanding its strengths and faults. The operating system powers a majority of computers worldwide, making it quite popular with businesses (Statt, 2015). The widespread usage of the system makes an evaluation necessary so as to improve the experience for the many users. An Inspection of the software will also provide a framework through which firms can implement changes if it deems necessary. The assessment of the system will uncover flaws that should be corrected through updates or newer versions and mistakes that can be avoided in similar projects. Therefore evaluation is an essential part of the development and implementation of a user interface that ensures a pleasant user experience.

Visibility is an important rule of thumb that allows for the usability of any interface. For users to interact with any digital processor, they need to be able to perceive how they can communicate with the system through the sense of sight. Interaction design should, therefore, invite action, and users should understand it ( Natoli, 2020). Therefore it is essential to test whether Windows 10 interface can be easily understood and operate on the visibility metric. The operating software scores well on the visibility aspect, as can be seen in a number of tools that allow for interaction. The software allows for seamless interaction between the user and the computer through the Action Center. The action center refers to a set of controls on the right side of the screen. This panel is well designed to allow for convenient usage of the software. For instance, it provides access to functions like search, settings, devices, and share. This tool is also well designed to portray the status of the current status of the computer in order to allow the user to take appropriate actions that will lead to the accomplishment of tasks. For example, the action center projects battery status, time, and network strength while using the screen. This attributes generally help in improving user experience when using windows 10. It is also vital that the current status of tasks is well communicated in order to guide the user on further actions that they should take. Windows 10 provides this feedback using the well functioning status bar. For instance, if you click the print screen button, an update will appear that "screen short saved." The visibility as a principle of user interface design is, therefore, well-executed in the operating system. Other elements that are easily visible include the power button at the start menu and an overview of the desktop through the task view tool.

Ease of use

The designers of Windows 10 implemented functions that make it easy to use. Ease of use allows users to accomplish their tasks easily and within a short period. For instance, there is an option to customize the software to match one's priorities. This personalization reduces the bulk of functions that a user doesn’t need, thereby allowing them to focus on what’s important and desirable to them. Additionally, the operating system has a personal assistant tool called the Cortana. This tool helps in locating files, setting up reminders, answering general questions, and finding solutions to difficult tasks. What makes Cortana very practical is its ability to provide feedback through an interactive window that allows users to take various actions. A personal assistant tool, therefore, makes Windows 10 easy to use and friendly to users. Another aspect of the software that makes it usable is the option to create shortcuts in various locations. The use of shortcuts makes it easier to access certain files, tools, and functions. For instance, a user can create shortcuts in the desktop, taskbar, or start menu. The creation of shortcuts reduces the route that users have to pass while performing regular duties, thereby reducing the effort and time required for a task.

Consistency

Consistency is a very important element in the user design interface of any digital product. This principle ensures that software and apps behave uniformly. The consistency rule allows for the predictability of products, thereby creating familiarity, control, and reliability (Riva, 2018). A digital product that behaves differently with similar prompts fails on the consistency metric, as is the case with windows 10. The software scores poorly in regard to the consistency element because the same commands can give you different results at different times. This inconsistency may lead to confusion, thereby limiting the usability of the operating software. For instance, the presence of both the control panel and settings app with shared functions reduces uniformity. A lack of uniformity, therefore, is a major downside for Windows 10 that should be corrected in newer versions. Furthermore, there is a difference in the design of icons in the operating software. There is because there are a number of Icons that are borrowed from previous versions of the software, including Windows 8 and 7. For instance, while the current program uses fluent language, there are apps that look the same since the Windows 7 era, like the Windows explorer. This makes the Windows 10 inconsistent and visually appealing, thereby diminishing user experience.

Usable privacy component

Personally identifiable information

Personally, Identifiable information refers to any data that can be used to identify an individual. This data when combined with other sets can expose an individual’s identity either completely or partially and this may lead to a misuse of the data for fraud or identity theft by criminals. For instance passport information can reveal an individual’s identity while other cues such as location may expose the race of the person (Bernstein, n.d.). Personally identifiable information should be protected at all costs to avoid associated negative consequences.

There are numerous legislations around the world that seek to protect consumer’s data from misuse. The development of digital products therefore has to accommodate these laws to be safe from law suits. This can be done through provision of notice and choice to consumers so that they can decide whether to provide the data or not (Martin, 2015). Therefore, the design of new interfaces has to take privacy issues into account by seeking consent before collecting data. Windows 10 is a product whose management of personal user information is controversial. The operating software design allows the firm to record data and profile users as a way to accomplish its own objectives. For instance, the windows 10 infrastructure is linked to Microsoft servers and can collect information from your personal computer (Auerbach, 2015). This is dangerous because the end user has no control of how this information is stored and utilized.

Within the software, Cortana is another element that can send personally identifiable information to Microsoft. For the personal assistant to operate well, it has to collect some data that enables it to provide a unique experience. This information includes voice, calendar and contacts (Micu, 2015). A combination of this data could be used to identify users identity although this is not the original goal for collecting the data.

General data protection regulation

The General Data Protection Regulation is a comprehensive data protection legislation that was passed in Europe. This new law affects all firms that have clients in the continent including Microsoft and are being implemented in every country in the region. The plan gives users a right to be notified of data breaches, access to the information and directs business to delete the data if requested by the user failure to which it can be subjected to huge penalties. (Greenard, 2018). What this means is that windows 10 has to be redesigned to allow for protection of personal information in line with the General Data Protection Policy. As it stands, the firm’s privacy policy is vague and can be misused thereby risking the security of the information. The current policy gives the technology firm express rights to transfer information from your Pc and use this information without seeking your consent and does not give you an opportunity to delete the sets of data when you want (Auerbach, 2015). The Windows 10 user interface, therefore, has to be updated so as to meet the new requirements.

However the security approach in Microsoft is likely to change due to heavy fines suggested in the GDRP. Firms are profit making entities that will do anything to make a health profit and will therefore respond to protect their income in the light of the new regulations. Generally, Data security is about economics, what it costs to institute a security system in relation to the loss that can be occasioned by a data safety breach ( Lampsons, 2009). Microsoft will therefore try to strike the balance between these factors. The development of faulty products can lead to further income leakages because. This happens when firms are stopped from selling products that are not up to the required standards. A firm is liable to damages caused by the sale of a defective product (Schmidt, 2019). A digital product that does not meet the privacy requirements can be said to be defective and is the reason why Microsoft should reconsider its data policy. All developers should now take into account the GDRP even at the initial stages of the interface design. This makes it easier for the vendors of digital products to comply. They have to conceptualize the kind of data that is collected by their product (Schwab, 2018). Planning a head therefore enables the firm to avoid unnecessary lawsuits later.

How the internet affects privacy in general

The activities that are performed by individuals regularly in the internet expose them to potential data security breaches. The need to sell, buy or even simply search for information through the internet necessitates that clients disclose some personal information. In doing this, users leave traces of information that may be collected by firms for later use (Martin, 2015). This is dangerous because irresponsible businesses may misuse this data leading to security breaches.

The use of personal data can later have negative consequences for the users and can violate the existing privacy laws. Any legal or illegal transfer of the information may be used by authorized persons to commit crimes such as identity theft and fraud. Currently, there are many companies that engage in data mining. Selling of data can lead to negative effects to online communities and violates existing expectation of privacy even without any visible harm (Martin, 2015). The internet therefore provides a platform for breaching privacy of individuals.

The windows 10 can compromise a user’s security through the collection of your browsing history, targeted advertising and recording location information. The location data can exposes users to danger and identity theft while browsing history violates their privacy by exposing users to unsolicited advertisements. The software in its default setting sends information to Microsoft servers (Auerbach, 2015). There is need therefore for individual to personalize the settings as a way of ensuring the security of their personal data. Furthermore, the policy guiding the use of the software allows the firm to disclose your information to third parties. While this may be necessary in providing customized services to clients, it may be difficult to determine the boundary between this unique services and privacy breaches. Microsoft’s policy allows for the firm to collect, store, reveal the data to third parties when it deems necessary to protect the client (Forest, 2015). There are risks associated with this policy as it can be misused for financial gains.