Jaakko Keränen

Collaborative use of mobile phones for brainstorming

Mobile phones have traditionally been utilized for personal and individual use. In this paper we explore shared co-located interactions with mobile phones. We introduce a phone-based application that supports ad hoc brainstorming sessions. The prototype allows a workgroup to create, edit and view virtual mind-map notes on any table surface. The prototype encourages people to use the devices interchangeably and thus engage in social interactions. Evaluations show that participants were able to easily create mind maps and that the prototype supports different strategies in mind-map creation.

Social and spatial interactions: shared co-located mobile phone use

This paper outlines the design of the Social and Spatial Interactions platform. The design of the platform was inspired by observing peoples pervasive use of mobile technologies. The platform extends the current individual use of these devices to support shared co-located interactions with mobile phones. People are able to engage in playful social interactions on any flat surface by using devices fitted with wireless sensors that detect their current location with respect to each other.

World-wide access to geospatial data by pointing through the earth

Traditional augmented reality UI views are restricted to the visible surroundings around the user. In this paper we present a concept that enables viewing and accessing geospatial data from all around the Earth, by pointing with the device towards a physical location. We describe a prototype of the concept and share the results of the first user experience study conducted with the prototype. We also discuss our future research directions.

Gravity sphere: gestural audio-tactile interface for mobile music exploration

Current solutions for managing music in mobile contexts are inconvenient as they require considerable effort and visual attention. We describe a novel system for exploring music and generating playlists in mobile contexts, and present findings from our formative usability evaluations. The system provides audio-tactile feedback and is controlled by manipulating a devices orientation. The system plays songs associated with the current orientation. A spatial gesture or other command is then used to lock the orientation into a playlist. We evaluated two iterations of a prototype of the system and found that users were successful in exploring music and generating playlists with the system. We found that certain orientations are more common than others. Also, manipulating the prototype felt more natural while walking than sitting. Personalization of the music mapping was requested by users and seen as beneficial for usability.

Mobile interaction with real-time geospatial data by pointing through transparent Earth

We present the user experience study results of a novel interaction concept that enables viewing and accessing geospatial data from all around the Earth, by pointing with a mobile device directly towards any physical location. We explain the relationship of this concept to traditional augmented reality and map based user interfaces, and we describe a prototype of the concept. In the evaluation we found that whole body interaction is a good way to browse geospatial content. The need for real-time information arises when using the concept. Reliable and detailed information is expected. Examining the Earth became interesting with the prototype. We also discuss the challenges faced in the prototype and suggest ways to tackle them.

The whole world under your feet: field trial of embodied browsing of geotagged content

Location-based services are increasingly popular, and the Earth has become covered with geotagged data. To assess a novel approach to access this information, we conducted a field trial of a mobile mixed reality application called MAA, which operates on a mobile phone. MAA displays a view through the Earth and geospatial content in the direction to which the user is pointing the device. In this paper, we report the results of the two-week long field trial of MAA. We found that the embodied usage of MAA is experienced as engaging and surprising, but may also be cumbersome in some usage situations. Virtual viewing of locations around the planet was considered pleasant. MAA was often shown to friends, and was used for watching visual materials and searching for information about cities. MAA was found to be a promising platform for many kinds of location-based content, especially for real-time events and local information.

User Interface for Browsing Geotagged Data – Design and Evaluation

The surface of the Earth is getting covered with geotagged data. We describe a mobile application and UI that combines embodied interaction and a dynamic GUI for browsing geotagged data. We present the design process and analyze results from a user study. UI is based on a dynamic grid visualization that shows geotagged content from the places around the world where the user is pointing. It shows a continuous and interactive flow of items, including real-time content such as live videos. The application is aimed for entertaining and serendipitous use. The study results show that usability and intuitiveness were improved by providing an additional, familiar view and controls; showing transitions between view modes; and enhancing the unfamiliar views. Also, the content grid UI was found to be a good way to browse geotagged data.