Optimizing the Information Interaction Bandwidth on Mobile Devices

Searching for information with mobile devices is pervasive. However, mobile devices are limited in numerous ways, leading to less than optimal interaction when dealing with large amounts of information. For example, their small screens and limited input modalities (i.e., touch primarily), results in users performing many minute operations, such as flicking through screens, and opening and closing items of interest. For this reason, for many serious information exploration and decision making tasks, users abandon mobiles in favor of traditional keyboard and mouse cursor input, on laptops or desktops. In my talk, I will present my vision on optimizing the information interaction bandwidth on mobile devices. More specifically, I will present two approaches I have developed to overcome the aforementioned limitations. My first approach includes extending devices' input capabilities by using the around-device in-air space for input. I will give an overview of the various design strategies and outcomes that have led to improved user performances for information exploration tasks. My second approach is an initiative involves augmenting current mobile devices with additional input/output capabilities. I will discuss how multiple mobile devices can enhance users' around-device content browsing experiences. I will also present how these two approaches are effective in comparison to standard mobile touch interactions. At the end of my talk, I will provide an overview of my future research goals which build on these promising results and that aim to improve how users' interact with mobile and wearable devices, specifically when it concerns interacting with large information spaces.