Evaluating deformable devices with emergent users

Abstract

This research forms part of a wider body of work focused around involving emergent users---those just beginning to get access to mobile devices---in the development and refinement of far-future technologies. In this paper we present an evaluation of a new type of deformable slider with emergent users, designed to investigate whether shape-changing interfaces provide any benefit over touchscreens for this type of user. Our trials, which took place in two contexts and three disparate regions, revealed that while there was a clear correlation between performance and technology exposure, emergent users had similar ability with both touchscreen and deformable controls.