Usability of MobiVR concept: Towards large virtual touch screen for mobile devices

Abstract

The size of the display is one of the major obstacles to fluent information presentation and management on current mobile devices. The user may not be able to perform basic data handling tasks, such as to find and to compare information, in an efficient and satisfying way. This paper presents a usability study of a novel user interface concept - the MobiVR - and its early prototype with a large virtual display and a finger pointing input method. The purpose of the usability study was to find target applications of the MobiVR concept and the features that need to be developed before the advantages of the concept can be fully utilized. The research was conducted with focus group sessions and usability tests. The study showed the MobiVR concept to suit well for spontaneous information retrieval, for example using mobile Internet. The results will direct the further development of the prototype towards a "virtual touch screen". © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2004.