Report: Human-Computer Interaction Analysis of WhatsApp Messenger

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of WhatsApp Messenger from a Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) perspective. It begins with an introduction to WhatsApp, highlighting its function as a free messaging application that utilizes mobile internet connections for communication. The report then offers an overview of the application, emphasizing its widespread use for exchanging multimedia content. The core of the report involves an analysis of WhatsApp's design, assessing its usability and user interface features. The analysis includes discussion of the application's features, such as the clean design of the splash screen, new square images for better viewing, and chat bubbles. The report further provides specific recommendations for improving the user experience, such as incorporating facial recognition for animated emojis and minimizing potential errors through clear communication. The conclusion summarizes the key findings, reiterating WhatsApp's status as a leading messaging application and its reliance on a stable internet connection for operation. The report is supported by a list of relevant references.

Running head: HUMAN COMPUTER INTERACTION
HUMAN COMPUTER INTERACTION
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Authors Note:

1HUMAN COMPUTER INTERACTION
Table of Contents
Introduction..........................................................................................................................2
Discussion............................................................................................................................2
Overview of Application.................................................................................................2
Analysis of application design.........................................................................................2
Recommendation.................................................................................................................2
Conclusion...........................................................................................................................2
References............................................................................................................................2

2HUMAN COMPUTER INTERACTION
Introduction
This report is about WhatsApp Messenger which is a free and well known application for
messaging. This application makes use of mobile connection for sending and receiving message
among friends and families (Church & de Oliveira, 2013). WhatsApp is a well application for
exchanging various multimedia like exchange of pictures, videos and even voice message. A
brief analysis has been made on design of WhatsApp and its usage with respect to HCI. Certain
recommendation has been provided for improving the design of WhatsApp.
Discussion
Overview of Application
WhatsApp messenger is a free application which is used for messaging in android and
other smart devices. WhatsApp make use of mobile phone connection for messaging and call
friends and family. A large number of mobile user has switch from SMS to WhatsApp for
receiving and sending texts, videos, documents and other voice messages (Bouhnik, & Deshen,
2014). WhatsApp is chosen for discussion because it does take any fees for usage. This
application just need stable internet connection for messaging and calling various friends and
family members so a platform is created where users do not pay any money for messaging and
making calls. In addition to above WhatsApp has no subscription fee for it users. At present this
application is considered to be best for usage (Yeboah, & Ewur, 2014). It creates a platform for
various of multimedia like sending and receiving of photos, videos and voice messages. The
biggest advantage of using this application is free calls, now a days WhatsApp comes up with
additional features like free calling. It generally uses internet connection from mobile phone
instead of cellular plans for voice connection. This particular application has created a web
platform for sending and receiving WhatsApp messages from straight from the system. It

3HUMAN COMPUTER INTERACTION
provides the option of group chat where user can stay in touch with in various friends and family
members. WhatsApp just works on the principle of phone numbers similar to SMS method so
that a user is continuously logged into it. This messenger comes with offline message which
states that it stores your message even if a user has switched off his phone.
HCI stands for human computer interaction is the observation of how people comes in
interaction with various system and the measurement of extent to which it is successful for
interaction with various human beings (Peres, 2013). In other words, this technology can be
considered as the way of interaction between user and computers. It generally emphasizes on the
idea of using knowledge for improving the use of computers.
Analysis of application design
WhatsApp is a messaging application for various smartphones which operates under a
proper business model. This application just depends on internet for sending and receiving text
message, images, video, location of user and different audio and video message. Many experts
round globe suggested that WhatsApp needs to be redesigned as it design is not up to the mark
when it is compared to its popularity (Lazar, Feng, & Hochheiser, 2017). This application comes
up with splash screen which has a clean, flat and minimal design. It gives a feeling which is very
useful and easy to use. This application comes up with new square images for bigger and better
view, fresh notification, provides a quick messaging button. In this updated application screens
can be easily swiped. The ultimate goal is to create a messaging screen with white background
which provides a better view of readability. It comes up with new and improved chat bubbles
with more clarity. It comes up with profile picture which makes the chatting more interesting
(Jacko, 2012). It has new attachment icon on the bottom which provides a better experience for

4HUMAN COMPUTER INTERACTION
various user. Design of WhatsApp comes up with call feature with new screen on the contrary
the screen is not that much appeal as expected.
Recommendation
New features like improvisation of sending and receiving of emoji has be incorporated in
WhatsApp. In this new technique a face detection software is needed for matching the facial
expression of animated emoji which can easily match with the character of the captured person
in the image. User should have a basic idea about the information which is provided within the
provided time. Design of the system must be made in such a way that potential errors are kept
minimum in the software. Designer should have a basic idea to understand various technical
stuffs and error message in the application should be displayed in plain language to check that
nothing is lost in translation. With increase in use the requirement for less interaction provides
faster interaction which can be attained by making use of different abbreviation key. The
ultimate goal is to provide continuous interaction which can be achieved through more
convenient ways.
Conclusion
From the above discussion it can be easily stated that WhatsApp among the top well
known messaging application of the world. WhatsApp is an application which is used exchange
messages and videos over the internet. The only requirement for running this application is a
stable internet connection. An analysis has been made on the design of this application that is
WhatsApp. A recommendation has been provided like improvisation of sending and receiving of
emoji’s.

5HUMAN COMPUTER INTERACTION

6HUMAN COMPUTER INTERACTION
References
Bouhnik, D., & Deshen, M. (2014). WhatsApp goes to school: Mobile instant messaging
between teachers and students. Journal of Information Technology Education:
Research, 13, 217-231.
Church, K., & de Oliveira, R. (2013, August). What's up with whatsapp?: comparing mobile
instant messaging behaviors with traditional SMS. In Proceedings of the 15th
international conference on Human-computer interaction with mobile devices and
services (pp. 352-361). ACM.
Jacko, J. A. (Ed.). (2012). Human computer interaction handbook: Fundamentals, evolving
technologies, and emerging applications. CRC press.
Lazar, J., Feng, J. H., & Hochheiser, H. (2017). Research methods in human-computer
interaction. Morgan Kaufmann.
Peres, S. C. (2013). Human Computer Interaction.
Yeboah, J., & Ewur, G. D. (2014). The impact of WhatsApp messenger usage on students’
performance in Tertiary Institutions in Ghana. Journal of Education and practice, 5(6),
157-164.