ABSTRACT
The aim of this paper is to explore the usage and impact of the Internet-of-Things-based Smart Home Technology (IoT-SHT) in Malaysia. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with a total of eleven IoT-SHT users who had a minimum of 2-year usage experience. The semi-structured interview consisted of six questions which were compartmentalised into two sections. Common themes were identified through constant comparison of the inductive data in the coding process. The in-depth interview uncovered six uses of IoT-SHT. Mainly, it was used for real-time remote control, surveillance, sensing, home automation, entertainment, and family communication. It seems clear that the IoT-SHT helped people to save time, changed their lives, improved security, safety, environment condition, fun, convenience, and comfort within the home ground. It also facilitated better health tracking, family care, and energy conservation. Psychologically, the IoT-SHT also enhanced one's image, offered better companionship, and improved the sense of belongingness, and closeness within the family. This study fills the research gap by providing insights into how the IoT-SHT was used, thereby benefiting users in Malaysia. With the arrival of industrial revolution 4.0, a comprehensive knowledge on the usage of IoT is pertinent. The findings of this study may also serve as a foundation for future research in IoT-SHT adoption. Practically, this study accelerates IoT-SHT diffusion by providing insights to vendors in designing better IoT products and services, based on the popular usages and impactful benefits. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10209-022-00937-0.
ABSTRACT
The advancement of mobile technologies has motivated countries around the world to aim for smarter health management to support senior citizens. However, the use of mobile health applications (mHealth apps) among senior citizens appears to be low. Thus, drawing upon user expectations, the present study examined user requirements for a senior-friendly mHealth application. A total of 74 senior citizens were interviewed to explore the difficulties they encounter when using existing mobile apps. This study followed Nielsen's usability model to identify user requirements from five aspects, namely learnability, efficiency, memorability, error, and satisfaction. Based on the results, a guideline was proposed pertaining to usability and health management features. This guideline offers suggestions for mHealth app issues related to phrasing, menus, simplicity, error messages, icons and buttons, navigation, and layout, among others. The study also found that speech recognition technology can help seniors access information quickly. The proposed guideline and findings offer valuable input for software and app developers in building more engaging and senior-friendly mHealth apps.
