Usability Testing of Mobile Applications Store: Purchase, Search and Reviews

Abstract

The objective of this research was to evaluate the process of purchase, search and evaluation of apps in the two main mobile stores available in Brazil, Google Play Store and iPhone App Store. It takes place in Brazil, from September to October of 2012. Sixteen users were selected based on a socio-demographic profile. The results helped to evaluate the overall opinion and attitude of the Brazilian users regarding each system. The debriefing confirmed issues in both stores, some similar between them but others quite particular. It also helped to indentify some minor's preferences regarding each task in each store.

Comparative Usability Evaluation of Mobile Map Applications

“…Technology becomes an essential part of lives, especially smartphones which has been dramatically used and developed during past few years [1]. Most of the smartphones were embedded with sensors and devices such as GPS, accelerometer, microphone, camera, and internal memory [2], [3], which allowed it to be compatible with a number of software to response for user needs.…”

“…Usability test is an evaluation method to identify error and user experiences from their design [7]. The ease of human-computer interaction were quantitatively measured [12] and illustrated problems with its severity [1]. Without usability test, the application would have a complexity [13].…”