Improving touchscreen keyboards: Design issues and a comparison with other devices

Andrew Sears

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

96 Scopus citations

Abstract

The study explored touchscreen keyboards using high precision touchscreen strategies. Phase one evaluated three possible monitor positions: 30°, 45°, and 75° from horizontal. Results indicate that the 75° angle, approximately the standard monitor position, resulted in more fatigue and lower preference ratings. Phase two collected touch bias and key size data for the 30° angle. Subjects consistently touched below targets, and touched to the left of targets on either side of the screen. Using these data, a touchscreen keyboard was designed. Phase three compared this keyboard with a mouse-activated keyboard, and the standard QWERTY keyboard for typing relatively short strings of 6,19, and 44 characters. Results indicate that users can type approximately 25 words/minute (wpm) with the touchscreen keyboard, compared to 17 wpm using the mouse, and 58 wpm when using the keyboard. Possible improvements to touchscreen keyboards are suggested.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)253-269
Number of pages17
JournalInteracting with Computers
Volume3
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 1991

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Software
  • Library and Information Sciences
  • Human-Computer Interaction

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