••• eye tracking

Eye-tracking technology adopted by non-research client

Marketing research – with all its tools and techniques – is an impressive thing and its applications can span far beyond consumer surveys and Webcam interviews. In fact, some marketing research companies may be able to expand their clientele beyond traditional buyers of research by thinking outside the box and devising innovative, non-research uses for their offerings.
SensoMotoric Instruments GmbH (SMI), a Berlin research company, has integrated its remote eye-tracking technology into Prentke Romich Company’s (PRC) Accent platform, a solution for augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). AAC technology is used by those with a wide range of speech and language impairments and ranges from manual sign language to speech synthesis with microcomputers.
PRC recently released the NuEye Tracking System, an eye-gaze accessory for the company’s Accent 1200 device. Attaching the NuEye Tracking System to the Accent 1200 speech output device is intended to allow users to operate the communication device’s capabilities using just their eyes.
SMI’s eye-tracking technology is powering the NuEye, which automatically determines optimal single- or double-eye tracking strategies based on user capabilities. The device also accommodates eyeglasses and contact lenses. Various calibration options support increased accuracy as the user’s eye control capabilities improve. NuEye is designed to work completely contact-free and a large trackbox area accommodates a wide range of user head movement. NuEye users can “select” keys by gazing for a specified period of time to generate speech, allowing the disabled to send e-mails, browse the Internet, post on social networking sites and more.

••• mobile research

Who’s in favor of app ratings? E for everyone

In 2012, CTIA - The Wireless Association and the Entertainment Software Rating Board, together with six founding mobile app storefronts and numerous developers, created a maturity rating system for mobile apps, though not all storefronts require a rating for an app to be approved for distribution. While Apple and Google resisted the industry-wide movement, consumers – especially parents – support a prominent and streamlined rating system.
Much like there are ratings systems for movies, music, video games and TV shows, consumers are in favor of a rating system for apps, according to the results of a poll by SodaHead.com, an Encino, Calif., opinion-based community.
Overall, 77 percent of the more than 1,100 poll respondents are in favor of a rating system. In addition, 90 percent of parents polled believe a parental rating system for apps should be implemented. The desire to rate apps even extends to young respondents, as 58 percent of those ages 13-to-17 and 75 percent of those ages 18-to-24 believe a rating system or age restriction should be introduced.
Eighty-eight percent of respondents ages 45-to-54 were in favor of a parental rating system, as were 87 percent of those ages 55+. Respondents ages 25-to-44 were 78 percent in favor.