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MMS phones can be hard to use: Study

Multimedia messaging service (MMS) cell phones can be hard to use--this is the result that German consulting firm Sirvaluse came to after testing recent models.
Written by Martin Fiutak, Contributor
Multimedia messaging service (MMS) cell phones generally rank low in usability--this is the result that German consulting firm Sirvaluse came to after testing some recent models.

Of the eight MMS phones tested, only the Nokia 7650 got good results: It scored a two on a scale of one to five, with five being the most difficult.

The Sony Ericsson T300, however, was most complicated phone to use--it scored the highest possible score of five.

The tests simulated the tasks performed when using the phones to send an MMS.

The handsets tested included those from Motorola (T720i), Nokia (7650 and 6610), Panasonic (Gd-87), Samsung (V200), Sharp (GX10), Siemens (S55) and Sony Ericsson (T300).

Among the problems suffered in MMS operation were the complicated menu prompts faced by the user when storing, renaming and sending the captured images.

With some models, the problems start when an optional camera is plugged in, causing issues with installing and activating the camera. Even snapping a picture was a tedious and complex procedure on some phones.

The other phones getting low marks are ease of use were the Siemens S55 and the Panasonic GD 87.

However, studies in the UK have found that users are willing to compromise some usability in return for added functions, especially in the growing field of multi-function smart phones.

Martin Fiutak reported for ZDNet Germany.

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