Instant Messaging on handhelds: affective feedback

Abstract

A text only Instant Messaging (IM) built on the IETF open standard SIP/SIMPLE has been developed in line with our proposed introduction of a user-defined text Hotkey feature. These act as an on-click Affective Gesture (AG): in similitude to Face-to-Face (F2F) expressive gesture-like abilities. Given that text communication possesses expressive discourse with some presence level, we seek to show that one-click text-gesture fast-tracking enhances text communication further. For this study, we are taking a hybrid quantitative and qualitative approach. Initial Pre-trial results have shown that an AG approach is more likely to improve IM chat spontaneity/response rate. Further experimental trials are being undertaken. Mobile devices and networks are becoming more data-centric (evident in Japanese I-mode) even as mobile network voice Average Revenue Per User (ARPU) are declining, new stream of data services are required which must take cognisance of handhelds features albeit their small screen estate and input/output limitation. Given that IM is entrenched in the social space, especially among teenagers and gaining wide adoption in the business place, we believe extensions are required for IM steep uptake in the mobile world, much as SMS has gained prominence. Enhanced input mechanisms for handheld IM system are expected to increase co-presence between handheld users and their desktop-based counterparts while in a synchronous discussion.