An Application Search Interface Including Sense-related Search Facets

An iPhone application called "Wonder Search" for application search has been developed under the hypothesis that a search interface included sense-related search facets gives a better chance of finding new applications for users. The search facets comprise five attributes: icon color, icon tone, application category, user evaluation, and release date. We enhanced a ring-structured graphical search interface for multi-faceted metadata to solve two reported usability problems by preparing dials for each facet and dividing the functions for ring rotation into two operations. Usability testing with 60 participants demonstrated that users can use this application not only for searching for applications effectively but also for analyzing the features of applications. The application can potentially be used for sensing the emotions of users if the hypothesis that the colors browsed or selected by users are related to their feelings is correct.