Picture Messages were Too Difficult to Send, says 3G Labs

Independent usability tests have revealed that consumer test subjects were unsure what the term MMS meant and were so confused by the menu systems of MMS-enabled phones that they were unwilling to send photos via MMS to other phones.

3G LAB, a multimedia software developer for mobile communications, conducted tests with members of the public, asking them to take and send pictures using a variety of MMS-enabled mobile phones. Whilst testers found taking a photo with the phones relatively easy, sending the image to another phone was a much more difficult task, because menu systems on the phones did not tally with the consumers' expectations.

For example: phone menus described the picture messaging capability as either MMS or Multimedia, whilst UK operators market their offerings as picture messaging, media messaging, or photo messaging - none of which appear in the menu system of either phone.

When asked to send a photo, one tester commented: 'I don't know what MMS means. I've never heard of it before.' Another said: 'Multimedia, I haven't got a clue. Bluetooth, I haven't got a clue. Infra-red, I'd imagine that's either someone with a similar phone that you can send it to, or maybe even a computer.'

Steve Ives, CEO of 3G LAB suggests that the usability tests show 'consumers are baffled by the terminology and design of today's MMS-enabled handsets'. He says that handset manufacturers and operators will need to work hard to make MMS easier to use if they are to start building decent revenues.

A report detailing the findings of the usability tests is available by contacting the company through the website.

Associated Link: 3G Lab

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