SocialSearchBrowser

Abstract

The mobile Internet offers anytime, anywhere access to a wealth of information to billions of users across the globe. However, the mobile Internet represents a challenging information access platform due to the inherent limitations of mobile environments, limitations that go beyond simple screen size and network issues. Mobile users often have information needs which are impacted by contexts such as location and time. Furthermore, human beings are social creatures that often seek out new strategies for sharing knowledge and information in mobile settings. To investigate the social aspect of mobile search, we have developed SocialSearch-Browser (SSB), a novel proof-of-concept interface that incorporates social networking capabilities with key mobile contexts to improve the search and information discovery experience of mobile users. In this paper, we present the results of an exploratory field study of SSB and outline key implications for the design of next generation mobile information access services.

Experimenting Through Mobile ‘Apps’ and ‘App Stores’

“…However, the ratio of positive ratings per user was highest for Four-In-A-Row, thus suggests that users found real value in being able to socially interact and compete with others. Therefore utilizing facilities such a chat within and app through services such as Game Centre could be highly beneficial to researchers and provide a useful method of obtaining the in-situ information from the users that is so often difficult to obtain in these situations (Church & Cherubini, 2010).…”