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The Symbian user interface has a two-tap model for text-based lists, like Contacts or Messages: tap to highlight, and tap again to open. However, that UI differs from the Home Screen’s System Menu, where one can tap an icon once to open it. The two-tap model for lists inspired three contributors to the Symbian UI Brainstorm to suggest design changes. These suggestions inspired Ixonos to propose a Major Contribution Proposal entitled Remove Double Tapping from Platform Applications.
The above illustration shows the proposed change. In the current system, tapping on a contact would highlight it, and a second tap would open the contact. Many users have expressed frustration about this two-tap UI model. In the proposed change, the single tap would open the contact immediately. Like many great UI enhancements, this one seems quite obvious. In Symbian^3, we are striving for subtle, yet substantial usability improvements.
I had a quick chat with Ilkka Syrjälä from Ixonos about Ixonos and the Remove Double Tapping proposal.
Scott: Tell me a little about Ixonos:
Ilkka: Ixonos is an ICT (Information Communications Technology) services company creating innovative solutions for mobility, social media and digital services. We develop products and services that let people enjoy inspiring digital experience, anyplace, anytime. Our clientele comprises globally leading mobile and smartphone manufacturers, network vendors and telecom carriers.
Scott: What inspired Ixonos to propose this change to the Symbian^3 UI?
Ilkka: Symbian touch enabled devices use mainly single taps for interactions. However, there are places where double tapping is required and this breaks UI consistency. Since this idea was also introduced at the Symbian UI Brainstorm site, we contacted Symbian Foundation and started to discuss different contribution needs and priorities. These discussions led to the actual proposal that was published 16th of September.
Scott: How does this change affect lists when a keyboard is present, or on non-touch phones?
Ilkka: One of the goals and requirements regarding this change was not to break any 3rd party applications developed for Symbian platform. The proposed change affects only the platform application layer and only the touch functionality. Therefore the non-touch device functionality, like highlighting and selecting items in a list, remains as it is currently.
Scott: Thanks for your time today, Ilkka.
This contribution is a great example of the increasing diversity of contributions coming to the Symbian Foundation. The success of the Symbian operating system is directly related to the generosity of our contributors.
Please read through the proposal and share your comments on the proposal’s forum thread. And keep sending the great UI Brainstorm ideas!
i strongly agree that single touch should be implemented. the double touch at times confuses me when using my n97.
But it’s damn simply, let the user choose. Set it as an option: Tap control – Single/Double
Why don’t you just copy it as it was in UIQ3? It worked, no hassle. UIQ had many things readily available, which should have been brought to Symbian Foundation.
There’s a difference between double tap and two tap, btw. Double tap is a nuisance and should never be used on a touch screen device. Two tap (one to select, one to activate) has many places where it works better than single tap. Just imagine all those accidental selections, leading to action where two tap gives you room to make errors. And does not require to consider the time interval between double taps, which makes everything difficult.
I am strongly agree with Andy that two taps is required but we should have unified behavior all is one tap or all is two tap. I think making it as setting will be the better solution
“UIQ had many things readily available, which should have been brought to Symbian Foundation.”
Couldn’t agree more.
Well I think that would have been an obvious requirement.
One does not need to check out many other phones to see that this behaviour is such a basic point.
People will decide to use/buy other OS/phones solely because this.
Congratulations to Ixonos on their contribution proposal. This is the power of having the platform in an open environment, new improvements from new companies. Great!
Have to agree with single tap. I have a Nokia 5800 and am generally pleased with it. However, the inconsistent tap behaviour is frustrating. I am pretty sure it was not so with my ancient Psion 5mx… The interface IS the device, alongside reliability it is what the user judges the device by.
By all means make it a user option, but at least default to single.
Oh, the Psion 5mx… Just digged up from my archives the good old MC218 (Psion 5mx variant). Casing is broken but it started up nevertheless and again I could play the good old Sim City and Strip poker
And take a look at the magnificient calendar… Use it with both a touch screen and the perfect mobile keyboard. Just integrate the Telephony, update the hardware and screen and that would be the perfect Symbian device (appended with modern software).
[...] information can be had at the Symbian blog: http://blog.symbian.org/2009/09/21/to-tap-or-to-tap-tap/ This entry is filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 [...]
[...] or, as Scott would poetically put it: “to tap or to tap-tap?”. This is a real success story, as this simple [...]