Mobile HCI and Sound

Sound plays an increasingly varied and vital role in mobile and ubiquitous user interaction. One reason is the limited screen real-estate available in typical mobile devices. Another reason is that many mobile devices are used in minimal attention situations These are situations in which the user has only limited attention available for the interface: the user’s eyes may be busy elsewhere; and the user may be busy avoiding the normal hazards of moving around, and engaging with real-world tasks. In many circumstances, such interactions will involve non-speech audio and gesture to afford natural means of access to information, to other people, and to services and situations in the environment.