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Revision 5 as of 2010-11-19 02:53:33
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Revision 6 as of 2010-11-19 03:02:16
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  * WiFi
  * Bluetooth
 * Network Access
  *
  *
  *
 * Battery
  * A single item, which changes based on charge level, and state (e.g. being charged)
  * WiFi.
  * Bluetooth enabled, and activity or .
  * IrDA or other non-wired networking as available.
 * Access:
  * Network activity.
  * Network speed.
  * Message Waiting Indicator for voicemail, unless this is displayed by the '''[[Notification Area]]''' instead.
  * Synch status or activity.
  * Location services enabled. May or may not indicate when GPS is active.
  * USB cable connected.
 * Battery:
  * Usually a single item, which changes based on charge level, and state (e.g. being charged)
  * Those now rare devices with outboard (piggyback) or secondary batteries may display a second battery indicator.

Problem

Status of the hardware and network connections must be available to the user with minimal effort...

Solution

Variations

Always there, almost always visible at all times. Can scroll away, such as by attaching to the top of a window when (e.g. browser) space is needed, but always should be there when new pages are loaded.

And... rarely, sometimes not. Like in camera, but it needs to be available whenever you pull up options, etc.

Emergency notifiers... COULD be done by notifications which see, but could be that when critical things are going on (e.g. low battery) this appears anyway; sub-variant: individual notifiers appear, like a red battery icon, but no others.

If the device operates very seamlessly, and has very reliable connectivity (or losses are generally not critical) and long battery life (ePaper devices, and plugged in items like some kiosks or CE devices) then the Annunciator Row may not be needed, and this may be solved with the Notification Area may be repurposed to display such information when it becomes critical instead.

Interaction Details

Ideally, when space provides, and on touch especially, may provide access to the settings and/or to view more details.

Else nothing. Doesn't do anything, just displays.

Presentation Details

Bar at the top of the screen. No where else. It's where it's expected...

Items are grouped by basic functionality. A conventional order has arisen, from left to right:

  • Radios:
    • Mobile networks.
    • WiFi.

    • Bluetooth enabled, and activity or .
    • IrDA or other non-wired networking as available.
  • Access:
    • Network activity.
    • Network speed.
    • Message Waiting Indicator for voicemail, unless this is displayed by the Notification Area instead.

    • Synch status or activity.
    • Location services enabled. May or may not indicate when GPS is active.
    • USB cable connected.
  • Battery:
    • Usually a single item, which changes based on charge level, and state (e.g. being charged)
    • Those now rare devices with outboard (piggyback) or secondary batteries may display a second battery indicator.

The time of day (and sometimes the date) is also present, but may be in any of several places. The most common is centered, followed by right aligned.

Naturally, features not included with the device are not given space in the display. Some items may share space, and the highest priority feature or the one with the most important message is displayed.

Items are displayed by icon only, whenever possible. Use words only when needed. Refer to my battery blog post about this iconic representation of info... DISPLAY STATUS! NOT JUST THERE, BUT THEY SAY SOMETHING...

Antipatterns

Don't let it change all the time. One layout, one size, one type of icon

Except when notifying of special conditions in places where the rest of the bar is suppressed (e.g. battery on a camera screen), do not pick and choose which items to show. Always show the same set in the same manner.

Examples

Annunciator Row (last edited 2013-04-10 23:53:00 by localhost)