Small-screen interface design: Where are we? Where do we go?

Abstract

Cell phones, handheld computers, iPods, and other small-screen technologies have become ubiquitous with more and more physical features added annually. Researchers have used diverse variables to explore usability on small-screen design for cell phones and PDAs, but few researchers have explored presenting Websites on small screens nor have theories been proposed to guide future research on small-screen interfaces. Our article, a work in progress, coincides with our small-screen pilot funded by the National Cancer Institute. We provide a succinct review of the empirical research on small-screen technology interface and then propose theoretical conceptualizations to guide future research and highlight variables of critical importance.