From the lab to the world: lessons from extending a pointing technique for real-world use

We present the Pointing Magnifier as a case study for understanding the issues and challenges of deploying lab-validated pointing facilitation techniques into the real world. The Pointing Magnifier works by magnifying the contents of an area cursor to allow for selection in a magnified visual and motor space. The technique has been shown in prior lab studies to be effective at reducing the need for fine pointing for motor-impaired users. We highlight key design and technical challenges in bringing the technique, and such techniques in general, from the lab to the field.