Hopefully people will think carefully about user experience and usability factors when developing the applications we'll be using in the not too distant future!
Because of my background as a school psychologist, I’m interested how touch/gesture applications can address accessibility and universal usability issues.
I wasn't able to locate user experience or usability information for Win7. Here are a few links from the Microsoft website that I think are worth reading:
How to Design a Great User Experience
Designing with Windows Presentation Foundation
According to the research from Microsoft, ”more than half of all computer users experience difficulties or impairments related to accessibility, and are likely to benefit from the use of accessible technology. Moreover, approaching software design with the flexibility and inclusiveness that are the hallmarks of accessibility often results in overall improved usability and customer satisfaction.”
Regarding touch/gesture interaction, know that “19% (24.4 million) of computer users have a mild dexterity difficulty or impairment, and 5% (6.8 million) of computer users have a severe dexterity difficulty or impairment.”
Concepts such as accessibility and universal usability can fit into this design!
For more information regarding multi-touch, see my previous post, "For Techies and the Tech-Curious: Multi-touch/Gesture from the NUI Group"
Horizontal scroll: drag two fingers left or right on the touch screen.
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