Paper Reading #6: Studying and Tackling Temporal Challenges in Mobile HCI

Comments
Derek Landini
Jacob Lillard

Reference
Studying and Tackling Temporal Challenges in Mobile HCI
Joel E. Fischer
CHI 2010 Doctoral Consortium

Summary
This paper discusses techniques on measuring the receptivity of mobile technology users. The idea is that users are more receptive to mobile technology interruptions at certain times. This pertains to HCI in the sense that applications are becoming more engaging and operate in real-time. Therefore it becomes important to study how the content and timing of interruptions affect the level of receptivity in users. In studies about timing, it has been determined that receptivity has a strong correlation to the position of users relative to cognitive tasks; that is, opportune moments lie at the breakpoint of cognitive tasks (processes). However, predicting these breakpoints becomes very difficult to do in uncontrolled environments.

In order to conduct the study, the author employs a technique called ESM (Experience-Sampling Method) which consists of users answering sets of questions at random times. Using this technique, Fischer (the author) was able to gather data relevant to the content, the time of delivery, the channel of communication (e-mail, sms, phone call, etc),  the receiver, and the impact of the interrupting service. The author describes it quoting  Harold D. Lasswell's formula: Who says what in which channel to whom with what effect?
By conducting this research, the author hopes to approximate the cognitive break points where user receptivity is greater so as to adapt current mobile applications to make better use of interruptions.


Discussion
This was a very nice article, however I believe that this technology is still very immature. I also am very concerned with the implications of having a mobile device deciding what messages from who are important to whom. Not that this is really bad, but I sure hope that this does not interfere with the privacy of individuals