Foundations and Trends® in Human–Computer Interaction > Vol 4 > Issue 4

Emerging Input Technologies for Always-Available Mobile Interaction

By Dan Morris, Computational User Experiences Group, Microsoft Research, USA, dan@microsoft.com | T. Scott Saponas, Computational User Experiences Group, Microsoft Research, USA, ssaponas@microsoft.com | Desney Tan, Computational User Experiences Group, Microsoft Research, USA, desney@microsoft.com

 
Suggested Citation
Dan Morris, T. Scott Saponas and Desney Tan (2011), "Emerging Input Technologies for Always-Available Mobile Interaction", Foundations and Trends® in Human–Computer Interaction: Vol. 4: No. 4, pp 245-316. http://dx.doi.org/10.1561/1100000023

Publication Date: 22 Oct 2011
© 2011 D. Morris, T. S. Saponas, and D. Tan
 
Subjects
Technology,  Ubiquitous computing,  Technology
 

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In this article:
1 Introduction 
2 Always-Available Input Technologies 
3 Always-Available Output Technologies 
4 Challenges and Opportunities 
5 Conclusion 
References 

Abstract

Miniaturizing our computers so we can carry them in our pockets has drastically changed the way we use technology. However, mobile computing is often peripheral to the act of operating in the real world, and the form factor of today's mobile devices limits their seamless integration into real-world tasks. Interacting with a mobile phone, for example, demands both visual and manual focus. We describe our goal of creating always-available interaction, which allows us to transition between mobile computing and real-world tasks as efficiently as we can shift our visual attention. We assert that this could have the same magnitude of impact that mobile computing had on enabling tasks that were not possible with traditional desktop computers.

In this review, we survey and characterize the properties of sensors and input systems that may enable this shift to always-available computing. Following this, we briefly explore emerging output technologies, both visual and non-visual. We close with a discussion of the challenges that span various technologies, such as ambiguity, sensor fusion, gesture design, and cognitive interference, as well as the opportunities for high-impact research those challenges offer.

DOI:10.1561/1100000023
ISBN: 978-1-60198-486-9
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Table of contents:
1: Introduction
2: Always-Available Input Technologies
3: Always-Available Output Technologies
4: Challenges and Opportunities
5: Conclusion
References

Emerging Input Technologies for Always-Available Mobile Interaction

Miniaturizing our computers so we can carry them in our pockets has drastically changed the way we use technology. However, mobile computing is often peripheral to the act of operating in the real world, and the form factor of today's mobile devices limits their seamless integration into real-world tasks. Interacting with a mobile phone, for example, demands both visual and manual focus. In Emerging Input Technologies for Always-Available Mobile Interaction the authors describe their goal of creating always-available interaction, which allows us to transition between mobile computing and real-world tasks as efficiently as we can shift our visual attention. They assert that this could have the same magnitude of impact that mobile computing had on enabling tasks that were not possible with traditional desktop computers. Emerging Input Technologies for Always-Available Mobile Interaction surveys and characterizes the properties of sensors and input systems that may enable this shift to always-available computing. Following this, it briefly explores emerging output technologies, both visual and non-visual. It closes with a discussion of the challenges that span various technologies, such as ambiguity, sensor fusion, gesture design, and cognitive interference, as well as the opportunities for high-impact research those challenges offer.

 
HCI-023