58 Bloomsbury StreetLondon WC1B 3QT

+44 (0)207 307 7770www.amber-light.co.uk

June 2011

Text Input for Smart TV Systems

Text input for smart TV systems

• Text input is an essential part of many interactionso Searchingo Completing formso Submitting passwordso Social media, etc

• Smart TV systems pose problems for text input as:o Typically the screen is 10 feet away from the usero The input device is often a slim remote control with no

physical keyboard

• The goals of this research project were to: o Evaluate how people input text in smart TV systems in order

to develop best practice guidelines for text input

Top level findings

• Amberlight performed an expert review of several systems and observed users undertake typical tasks

• From this work eight principles for text input in smart TV systems were identified1. Use predictive text to help users input text more efficiently2. Enable content discovery with predictive search results 3. Provide a choice of keyboard layout (qwerty, a-z or sms),

but default to an a-z grid4. Avoid forcing people to read detailed instructions5. Create simple interfaces and remote controls, but provide

additional shortcuts for experts6. Enable users to control cursors as flexibly as possible7. Ensure users find it easy to edit text by deleting and adding8. Use plain and consistent English in labels

Main findings

Apple TV ranked #1 by 8 out of 10 participants

• 8 out of 10 participants ranked the Apple TV as their preferred device for text entry due to:• Simplicity of remote

control• Effective predictive text• Search results update in

real time

Predictive text

Users can find content easily by entering a few letters

It is likely that the desired content will be shown before the search terms have been completed

Apple TV

Predictive text promotes efficiency

Only let predictive text identify new words when a space has been entered

It is not clear on the Wii that this button turns predictive text on and off

Wii and PlayStation assume a new word is starting when text input is delayed

Make it clear how to turn predictive text on and off

Predictive words on the PlayStation were not used, and often not seen

Place predictions and search input box closely together

Problems with predictions

Search results

Search results update in real time offering immediate feedback and rapid access to the desired content

Apple TV

Real time results are welcomed by users

Users find thumbnail images from the search results helpful as they frequently recognise brands, actors and other imagery from content more quickly than names

Apple TV

Thumbnails promote efficient search

Predictive search results means users receive suggestions about content they may be interested in

Predictive search results allow serendipity

Keyboard

Display a keyboard or a keypad to let users know they can enter text

Showing a keyboard informs people that they can enter text in a simple way

A keyboard signifies that users can enter text

Nintendo Wii QWERTY layout

Free SAT SMS layout

Free VIEW A to Z layout

Keyboard layout preferences vary strongly, depending on experience and skills

Offer a choice of keyboard to avoid forcing people to use systems they find difficult

Past experience effects user preferences

It is important to make it clear to people that they can switch between different layouts

People can navigate around letters using directional buttons on a remote control

Apple TV

Make A-Z grid the default option for keyboard layout

Grids make navigation easier

Focus on promoting layout and case change options with size and colour

Most users keep default settings and do not notice subtle tab options, even at top of screen

Options to change input styles at bottom of the screen mean users are even more unlikely to see them

Layout options need to be obvious

Text style

Sky TV SKY makes users read instructions

This causes irritation and makes people guess how to use the system as they skip the text

A keyboard shows people what to do without having to explain how to do it

Sky Vegas

Avoid long instructions

Remote controls

Fewer buttons mean participants were quickly able to learn what each button did

Apple TV

People think each button has a function and will make the TV do something they don’t want it to do

Simple remotes are intuitive

Games controllers provide many shortcuts

Novices are unlikely to use these but experts will find them helpful

But shortcuts are great for experts

Game controllers

Interactive TV companies should consider including blue tooth as part of their boxes in addition to infra red

Buttons on TV remotes can feel sticky and slow

They may seem unresponsive because they rely on infra red signals

TV remote buttons can feel unresponsive

Cursor control

Most devices restrict users to moving horizontally or vertically

The ability to “fly” around the Wii keyboard allows increased efficiency when entering text

Increasing directional control (e.g. diagonal cursor movement) may increase efficiency for users

Moving the cursor with the remote

Smart TV should learn from games consoles and let users move cursor to any position on the screen in as few moves as possible

It is difficult for a user to correct a spelling mistake in the middle of a word without cursor control

Cursor control increases input efficiency

Many users find the vibration of the Wii remote helpful as a way of identifying exactly what they are pointing at, although some users who are unfamilar with it find it irritating

Provide ways of quickly identifying the selected target e.g. change in size or movement

Confirming targets

The Wii system helpfully identifies the target letter by expanding it when it is pointed at

Allow users to turn off vibration, if implemented

Not clear how to switch from keyboard to search results

Arrows would indicate users can move to the right of the screen

>>>

Apple TV

Cursors should facilitate in-page navigation

Editing text

Users need to be able to correct errors

No instructions on how to delete text when users are in non-keyboard layout

Include a delete button, either on the remote or as a clear onscreen label

Back arrows and the word “backspace” are not seen as synonymous with “delete”

Instructions won’t be read; clicking a left arrow button is not a normal way to delete

Make it easy to delete

In contrast, Apple TV uses the word “delete”

SKY relies on a mobile phone keypad input but displays a speaker symbol which is confusing

The word “space” would be clearer than having a symbol]

Free VIEW and Free SAT make the space button bigger, like it is on a keyboard

But it is not clear to users that the symbol is a space]

Make it easy to add a space

Labelling

Few people saw link between coloured buttons on screen and on remote control

This shortcut label is confusing because the remote control also has a button labelled “ok”

Shortcut labels must be clear and obvious

Shapes on the PlayStation suggest incorrect functions e.g. cross suggests delete and triangle suggests upwards

Remotes need clear, visible labels for what each button does

“Select” suggests that this is the button to use to select a letter

Shoulder buttons on X-Box and PlayStation have name of button bevelled on the controller which is difficult to see

Shapes and buttons can cause confusion

Avoid conflicting symbols and names

Avoid hidden buttons on remote controls

Connection between “play” and “pause” symbols on the screen and on the remote to change a keyboard is not seen

SMS suggested people could send a text message instead of changing layouts on Free SAT

PlayStation buttons are easily missed and do not communicate that they can be used to change layout

Clear labels are needed to tell users how to change keyboard layouts. Icons are potentially confusing ways of communicating

Take care with icons

The Wii icons show different options clearly

Apple TV uses plain English

Use clear icons, plain English, and positioning at the top of the screen

Use clear instructions

Users do not always associate colour with the physical remote control buttons

Using colour in this way is also problematic for accessibility

Sky Vegas

Colour should not be used to indicate options

Summary: Guidelines for text entry in smart TV systems

Use prediction to make text input efficient

Make suggestions for what the next letter and what the next word could be Only let the predictive system propose a new word after a space has been

entered to signal the end of the previous word Keep input text and suggested letters and words close together on the

screen so they appear related Let users turn off the predictions if it causes them more problems than it

solves

Guidelines for text entry: 1

Use search to promote serendipity

Show predictive search results as a user enters each letter: live search results give users welcome feedback and reduce keystrokes

Serendipity is important for most media owners who want users to discover new types of content. Real time search results, especially combined with thumbnail images, will promote serendipity very effectively

Guidelines for text entry: 2

Show a keyboard A keyboard signifies to users that you can enter text Provide alternative layouts to meet differing user needs. Default to an

A-Z grid Ensure that commands to select different options are easy to see and

understand, for instance by ensuring tabs are sufficiently salient and commands are top of screen rather than bottom of screen

Guidelines for text entry: 3

Don’t make people read long instructions Reading text at a distance is difficult and causes people irritation or

forces them to guess what to do Provide intuitive buttons and tabs, and intuitive functionality such as

keyboards, in preference to long instructions

Guidelines for text entry: 4

Simplify remotes wherever possible Manufacturers should consider simplifying remote controls by

reducing the number of buttons and providing more screen-based interactivity

Users make fewer mistakes and learn more quickly with simpler remote controls

Provide short cuts for experts and make these easy to locate Bluetooth may make remote controls more effective for users by

reducing the number of times that remote control clicks have no effect

Guidelines for text entry: 5

Enable maximum cursor control Arrow buttons are a clumsy way of navigating a screen. Other methods

such as diagonal movement and even “point and click” devices are likely to provide a solution to improving text entry

Provide feedback to user when a target letter has been selected for instance by enlarging it or having it move slightly

Guidelines for text entry: 6

Make it easy to edit text Have a clearly labelled and clearly visible button on the screen to

delete text Enable users to delete text by moving their cursor right as well as

left Make the “space bar” easy to see and slightly larger than other

keys to fit with real world keyboard experience

Guidelines for text entry: 7

Use plain English Labels should be consistent Labels on screen should not duplicate labels on remotes unless

they have exactly the same function If it is considered desirable to use icons, these should be clear, of

sufficient size and contrast to be seen easily and ideally supported by text

Colour on its own should not be used to deliver information

Guidelines for text entry: 8

Thank you

58 Bloomsbury StreetLondon WC1B 3QT+44 (0)207 307 7770www.amber-light.co.uk

Credits

• Senior consultanto Jeremy Swinfen Green, Managing Director, Amberlight

Partners, email: jeremy@amber-light.co.uk

• Lead consultanto Dominic Francis, Consultant, Amberlight Partners, email:

dominic@amber-light.co.uk

• Reviewing consultanto Swetha Sethumadhavan, Consultant, Amberlight Partners,

email: swetha@amber-light.co.uk

TouchType:A Cambridge University start-up company that has developed a predictive text entry application for mobile phones and tablet devices.

Amberlight Partners:An independent research and design consultancy that advises blue chip clients on customer experience across all platforms

Working together:Both companies are passionate about technology, and have come together because of their shared interest in creating effective interfaces for smart television applications

Detailed background to participating companies

How we did it

• Methodologyo Expert reviewo User observations: ten people interviewed for 1 hour and

asked to perform text entry tasks across seven devices

• Test participantso Ten participants; mix of males and females; age range of 33 –

60; non tech-savy users

• Devices evaluatedo Apple TV Sony PlayStation 3o Free SAT Nintendo Wiio Sky TV Microsoft X-box 360o FreeView

Tasks

Participants were asked to perform several realistic text entry tasks

Search for the movie Independence Day starring Will Smith using the iStore

Search for the programme Doctor Who or a programme of your choosing to see when it is scheduled

Enter your first and last name as part of the registration service to one of Sky’s casino gambling and gaming services

Using Free VIEW search for when Dragons’ Den is scheduled

Using Free SAT search for when Blue Peter is scheduled

Write a memo alerting you to watch Glee or Top Gear on Sunday evening

Do a search on the internet for the Chris Moyles show on BBC Radio 1

Log into Facebook

Task rotation

Apple TV

Sky TV

Sky Vegas

Free VIEW

Free SAT

Playstation X-box Wii

P1 1 2 3 4 5 6P2 6 1 2 3 4 5P3 5 6 1 2 3 4P4 4 5 6 1 2 3P5 3 4 5 6 1 2P6 2 3 4 5 6 1P7 1 2 3 4 5 6P8 6 1 2 3 4 5P9 5 6 1 2 3 4

P10 4 5 6 2 1 3

Participant

- Primary tasks attempted by all participants

- Secondary tasks attempted by 5 participants

Tasks orders were rotated to avoid users being influenced by tasks