Casio G-Shock User Manual

Casio G-Shock Digital Watch

EECE 418 - Assignment 1

Sean Everest

severest@interchange.ubc.ca

1. DESCRIPTION

Relative to other digital watches, the Casio G-Shock is capable of dramatically more

functionality. For instance, it is capable of tracking location-specific tide levels and moon

phases. Such vastly increased functionality combined with the same interface that was

problematic for a much smaller set of functions leads to some headaches and a surprisingly

complicated instruction manual. In the following, I will discuss three user interface problems

with the Casio G-Shock. These problems are not specific to this particular watch and would

also apply to any digital watch using the same interface.

Figure 1. Casio G-Shock interface: LCD display surrounded by 4 push buttons

Table of Contents

Do you have a question about the G-Shock and is the answer not in the manual?

Page 1 In the following, I will discuss three user interface problems with the Casio G-Shock. These problems are not specific to this particular watch and would also apply to any digital watch using the same interface.
Page 2 On top of these problems, the functions of the two soft buttons change depending on the mode. In the case of the G-Shock, this gives each soft button the possibility of 6 different functions, rendering the small label beside the button useless.
Page 3 Press A to turn toggle alarm on and off 2.2 Stakeholders The users of the Casio G-Shock are everyday people who wish to keep track of time. The current interface causes frustration and headaches as most features, however elementary, require help from the instruction manual.
Page 4 2.4 Problems With Current Interface Summarizing the original description of the interface, the three focus problems are: No positive transfer from old-style watches • Buttons have no visual affordance to hint at functionality • Modes make buttons even harder to understand •...
Page 5 mode-specific buttons can be replaced with mode-specific gestures, ones that relate to the function they perform. For instance, starting your hand above your head then dropping it down quickly, as if you were starting a foot race, would start the stopwatch. Resetting the timer could simply be a vigorous shake of your wrist.