Effects of Socioeconomic diversity on iPod Touch Device Use in Real-World Environments

Abstract

The iPod Touch provides portable and personalized information, entertainment, and communication resources for users. The goal of this study was to assess the influence of user diversity on how these handheld mobile computers are employed in real environments. Using an unobtrusive, longitudinal methodology to collect data, we explored how different socioeconomic groups personalize and operate iPod Touches. The lower income group used the instrumented iPod Touch more often and for different purposes. Design implications for newer-generation handheld devices and content are discussed.