Conductor

Abstract

The proliferation of inexpensive connected devices has created a situation where a person, at any given moment, is surrounded by interactive computers. Despite this fact, there are very few means by which a user may take advantage of this large number of screens. We present Conductor, a prototype framework which serves as an exemplar for the construction of cross-device applications. We present a series of interaction methods by which users can easily share information, chain tasks across devices, and manage sessions across devices. We also present a cross-device usage scenario which utilizes several cross -device applications built within our prototype framework. We also describe a user study, which helped us to understand how users will take advantage of a large number of devices in support of performance of a sense making task.

Is Two Enough?

“…A sizable part of HCI research on cross-device interaction is driven by the vision of enabling users to conduct complex knowledge work (e.g., active reading [9,10], brainstorming [30], sensemaking [16]) by seamlessly working across multiple mobile devices. In this vision, multiple tablets or phones form seamless and powerful device "communities" [39] or "symphonies" [16] that can enhance or even replace traditional desktop devices or large screens.…”

“…In this vision, multiple tablets or phones form seamless and powerful device "communities" [39] or "symphonies" [16] that can enhance or even replace traditional desktop devices or large screens. This echoes Weiser's vision of ubiquitous computing where mobile "pad" devices (i.e.…”

Studying the benefits and challenges of spatial distribution and physical affordances in a multi-device workspace

“…Similarly, Hamilton and Wigdor [13] implemented Conductor, a cross-device framework that supports interaction methods that allow for managing several activities across multiple devices in an individual desk environment. Hereby, the focus lied on cross-device settings that allow for easy transition of information as well as for managing relationships between devices in an unobtrusive way.…”

“…We decided for six tools to trade-off between providing enough functions to engage in multiple activities and to prevent overwhelming. Previous research has shown that individuals can use up to seven tools [4] and are able to benefit from up to ten tablets in cross-device settings [13].…”

“…This seems to be a general problem in the field of cross-device interaction: Users are often influenced by their pre-existing knowledge and established interaction with WIMP-applications on their personal computers. This leads to comparing tablets with application windows [13], using single tablets instead of exploiting full potentials of multi-tablet systems [5,27], or as in our study the hesitation to make full use of the physical affordances of phones.…”