Design trends for mobiles

This research paper has more of an industry slant to it, but it brings up the perspective of the designer/practitioner which is so often forgot by academics. The author also reintroduces the topic of designing mobile devices for those with disabilities. Mobile devices are interesting because they are used in so many different contexts and in combination with other devices. Even those of us without significant physical disabilities will be significantly impaired part of the time anyhow. We'll have car keys in one hand and the phone in the other. Or be blinded by bright sun while texting. Or have wet slippery hands from the rain while we try and grab that ringing phone. Designing for accessibility provides greater usage flexibility for everyone.

Designing the next generation of mobile communication, 2001, 3 pg
Christina James
[Full-text pdf]