Peter Ljungstrand

Designing Ubiquitous Computing Games – A Report from a Workshop Exploring Ubiquitous Computing Entertainment

Abstract: We report from a Research Atelier that explored how ubiquitous computing could be applied to fun and entertainment. The Atelier lasted for five days, starting with two days of scenario development and brainstorming activities. This led to three fairly concrete – though very different – game ideas. The background and motivation for the Atelier is described, as well as the method used and the games developed.

Context Awareness and Mobile Phones

Abstract: This paper investigates some aspects of how context-awareness can support users of mobile phones, in particular the calling party. The use of mobile and stationary phones is discussed in relation to situational properties of a phone conversation, especially with regards to who might benefit from context-awareness in this context. An initial hypothesis is that mobile phone users communicate context information to each other (verbally) to a much higher degree than do stationary phone users. Mobile phone users could benefit much from context awareness technology, in particular when about to make a call, if they can receive context information regarding the person they are trying to reach prior to establishing the call. We argue that such technology should require low amounts of explicit user interaction, and could lead to less disrupting calls in inappropriate moments, as well as less frustration for the calling party when a call is not answered.

The reminder bracelet: subtle notification cues for mobile devices

We are investigating new ways of conveying event notifications from mobile devices to their users. Our ambition has been to explore non-intrusive, or subtle ways of notifying users, to hide the technology and make room for aesthetic considerations. We argue that there is need for new ways of attracting a users attention, while at the same time not disturbing other people. We have built a notification tool, the Reminder Bracelet, that is worn on the wrist and connected to a PDA. It notifies its user of scheduled events in a subtle and silent manner using light, color and patterns. Initial evalutations have shown that in a number of situations, the bracelet was preferred to the alert sound of a PDA or a mobile phone.

Special Issue on Ubiquitous Games

Abstract: