Mobile Web Users Research Articles

JSAnalyzer: A Web Developer Tool for Simplifying Mobile Web Pages through Non-critical JavaScript Elimination

The amount of JavaScript used in web pages has substantially grown in the past decade, leading to large and complex pages that are computationally intensive for handheld mobile devices. Due to the increasing usage of these devices to access today’s web, and to accommodate the needs of a large number of mobile web users who solely rely on low-end devices, we propose “JSAnalyzer,” an easy-to-use tool that enables web developers to quickly optimize JavaScript usage in their pages and to generate simpler versions of these pages for mobile web users. JSAnalyzer is motivated by the widespread use of non-critical JavaScript elements, i.e., those that have negligible (if any) impact on the page’s visual content and interactive functionality. JSAnalyzer allows the developer to selectively enable or disable JavaScript elements in any given page while visually observing their impact on the page to (1) accurately identify any non-critical JavaScript elements and (2) create a simplified page with these elements removed. Our quantitative evaluation shows that, given a low-end mobile phone, JSAnalyzer achieves an increase of nearly 90% in Google’s lighthouse performance score while reducing the page load time by 30%. A qualitative study of 22 users shows that the lighter pages produced by JSAnalyzer maintain more than 90% visual similarity compared to the original pages. Moreover, JSAnalyzer was evaluated by 69 developers, showing that it scores nearly 90% in terms of usefulness and usability while retaining the page’s content and functionality. Finally, we show that JSAnalyzer outperforms state-of-the-art solutions in terms of timing speedups and resource savings.

Effects of Four Noble Truths Practice on Hypertension Control

Objective: To examine the effects of Four Noble Truths practice in controlling blood pressure with three-group comparison, involving a Mobile Web group, Guidebook group and usual care group in patients with stage 1 hypertension.Methods: This randomized controlled trial was conducted in one university hospital setting. 145 participants were recruited into the study by randomized selection and were randomly assigning to the three groups. Of these, 45 participated as Mobile Web users, 50 as Guidebook users and 50 in the control group. The Mobile Web and Guidebook were developed using the guidance of the Four Noble Truths and received a phone call every two weeks for three times while control received a usual care. Then, the outcomes were measured including blood pressure and satisfaction at two-month after recruitment. The average blood pressure and satisfaction were compared by comparative descriptive statistic. Finally, analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was used to analyze the covariate that may influence the outcomes with the post hoc analysis by Bonferroni. Results: Participants who received Mobile Web and Guidebook had reduced their blood pressure more than those receiving usual care, with statistical significance (P < 0.05). It was found that blood pressures could be lowered to a maximum level of 5.09 ± 9.62mmHg within 8 weeks of treatment. Altogether, both groups were satisfied with healthcare services more than those receiving usual care, with statistical significance (P < 0.05).Conclusion: The program could be applied to control high blood pressure in patients with stage 1 hypertension. The outstanding of this program could support overall difference in healthcare of each patient with fast efficacy.

THE ROLE OF CONVENIENCE, COMPATIBILITY AND MEDIA RICHNESS IN ACCEPTING MOBILE WEB IN MALAYSIA

Our lifestyle has changed and keeps changing with emerging software and hardware technologies. In the same way, mobile devices are changing the way people accessing the Internet. More users have changed from using desktop computers to mobile devices. A mobile device such as smartphones and tablets are widely used devices in accessing the Internet all over the world. From an early investigation, it is found that although mobile devices are highly flexible, accessible, and convenient, their usage to access websites is still average. The objective of this study is to conceptualize the factors that drive users to access websites through mobile devices. This study presents the scenario and the current situation of mobile web usage among mobile device users. It further critically discusses the role of three constructs namely, convenience, compatibility, and media richness in explaining the user’s intention to use the mobile web. The study adopts the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) to understand what factors affect usage intention of the mobile web, an important topic for current and future research. The limitations lie in the depth of investigation where the empirical investigation should be conducted in future studies to prove the findings of this conceptual study. This study aims to explain the factors that will influence the intention to access mobile websites. Determining those factors will help web designers to develop mobile web pages that will be preferred by its users. Improving user’s experience of accessing the web through mobile devices will enable web service providers to offer web services more effectively that will satisfy the needs of the users.

MEWUJUDKAN WORLD CLASS PROFESSIONALISM OF LIBRARIANS DI ERA LIBRARY MOBILE

<p>At the century, library has offered exceptional service via mobile web users. This concept refers to the components of the mobile web - Ellyssa Kroski: users, devices, operating systems, services, content. The device not only machines, including human resources (librarian). Course professional librarians, brave move on, becoming a greater. It leads to the aspect of librarian professionalism - Steers & Porter (1991) that professional librarians are not different from other professions. Its benchmarks 1) the skills, abilities, and knowledge; 2) psychological maturity. The professionalism of this<br />century was also characterized by a global culture which is full of competition and fast-paced change. Not just the usual professionalism, but world-class professionalism that will enable us to dominate the Mobile Library and align us with other professional organizations worldwide. These has become the premise to realize a world class professionalism of librarians in the era of the mobile library. How to? These will be discussed in this article.</p><p>Keywords: mobile web, web libraries, professional librarian</p>

A mobile personalized tourist guide and its user evaluation

The paper presents an interactive electronic guide application prototype able to recommend personalized multiple-day tourist itineraries to mobile web users. The proposed application relies on an evolutionary optimizer that allows the determination, in an acceptable time, of a near-optimal user-adapted tour for each day of the visit by considering different conflicting objectives. The tour optimizer automatically plans the itinerary by selecting the sights of potential interest based on user preferences, the available visit time considered on a daily basis, opening days and hours, visiting times, accessibility of the places of interest and weather forecasting. The interactive functionalities and facilities provided by the application are illustrated along with the model used to adapt the tourist itinerary to user preferences and constraints. An experimental qualitative and quantitative evaluation has been performed to assess the validity of the guide prototype. Particular attention has been devoted to the usability of the application and its graphic unit interface along with user satisfaction.

Sensor-Based Mobile Web Cross-Site Input Inference Attacks and Defenses

In this paper, we investigate the accelerometer and gyroscope motion sensor-based cross-site input inference attacks that may compromise the security of many mobile Web users, and quantify the extent to which they can be effective. We formulate our attacks as a typical multi-class classification problem and build an inference framework that trains a classifier in the training phase and predicts the user’s new inputs in the attacking phase. To make our attacks effective and realistic, we design unique techniques and address major data quality and data segmentation challenges. We intensively evaluate the effectiveness of our attacks using 98 691 keystrokes collected from 20 participants. Overall, our attacks are effective, for example, they are about 10.8 times more effective than the random guessing attacks regarding inferring letters. We also perform experiments to evaluate the effect of using the data perturbation defense techniques on decreasing the accuracy of our input inference attacks. Our results demonstrate that researchers, smartphone vendors, and app developers should pay serious attention to the motion sensor-based cross-site input inference attacks that can be pervasively performed, and start to design and deploy effective defense techniques.

Fuzzy rule-base optimisation using genetic algorithm for mobile web page adaptation

There is a global rise in use of mobile devices like mobile phones, PDA, palmtop, etc. for web browsing. Web page usually includes the scrolling that makes web browsing time-consuming. In this work, we used genetic algorithm based fuzzy inference system and utilised the power of genetic algorithm to optimise the fuzzy rules base web content classification. The content of the web page is partitioned into blocks and applies the genetic-based fuzzy inference system to discriminate the main block. The filtered main blocks are then reorganised on the device. As a result of our approach, the mobile web user is presented with the filtered web page content without noise which results in persistent content, fast accessing, and better utilisation of limited space. We implemented the system and result shows that the hybrid genetic-based fuzzy inference system provides better classification accuracy (93.57%) as compared with fuzzy inference system (78.55%) accuracy of classification.

Fuzzy rule-base optimisation using genetic algorithm for mobile web page adaptation

There is a global rise in use of mobile devices like mobile phones, PDA, palmtop, etc. for web browsing. Web page usually includes the scrolling that makes web browsing time-consuming. In this work, we used genetic algorithm based fuzzy inference system and utilised the power of genetic algorithm to optimise the fuzzy rules base web content classification. The content of the web page is partitioned into blocks and applies the genetic-based fuzzy inference system to discriminate the main block. The filtered main blocks are then reorganised on the device. As a result of our approach, the mobile web user is presented with the filtered web page content without noise which results in persistent content, fast accessing, and better utilisation of limited space. We implemented the system and result shows that the hybrid genetic-based fuzzy inference system provides better classification accuracy (93.57%) as compared with fuzzy inference system (78.55%) accuracy of classification.

How Users Search the Mobile Web: A Model for Understanding the Impact of Motivation and Context on Search Behaviors

Abstract Purpose This study explores how search motivation and context influence mobile Web search behaviors. Design/methodology/approach We studied 30 experienced mobile Web users via questionnaires, semi-structured interviews, and an online diary tool that participants used to record their daily search activities. SQLite Developer was used to extract data from the users’ phone logs for correlation analysis in Statistical Product and Service Solutions (SPSS). Findings One quarter of mobile search sessions were driven by two or more search motivations. It was especially difficult to distinguish curiosity from time killing in particular user reporting. Multi-dimensional contexts and motivations influenced mobile search behaviors, and among the context dimensions, gender, place, activities they engaged in while searching, task importance, portal, and interpersonal relations (whether accompanied or alone when searching) correlated with each other. Research limitations The sample was comprised entirely of college students, so our findings may not generalize to other populations. More participants and longer experimental duration will improve the accuracy and objectivity of the research. Practical implications Motivation analysis and search context recognition can help mobile service providers design applications and services for particular mobile contexts and usages. Originality/value Most current research focuses on specific contexts, such as studies on place, or other contextual influences on mobile search, and lacks a systematic analysis of mobile search context. Based on analysis of the impact of mobile search motivations and search context on search behaviors, we built a multi-dimensional model of mobile search behaviors.

Mobile Web Survey in the International Setting (Presentation Slides)

There is no doubt that more people are taking web surveys using their mobile devices. In non-English speaking countries, in particular, more respondents complete online surveys using mobile devices than using desktop or laptop computers. This phenomenon has a huge implication on survey research as different devices are associated with different survey measurement and nonresponse errors, which in turn could affect the survey estimates themselves. Also, data quality, as measured by survey satisficing theory, could also be affected by the survey-taking device. An increasing amount of research has been devoted to examining and comparing survey data collected from mobile and non-mobile devices. This study will expand the existing literature by examining mobile web survey data from six countries, up to three samples within each country, and across three waves of data collection. Specifically, the study was conducted in the U.S., U.K. Australia, China, Brazil, and India. Within each country, data were collected through up to three online panel providers, including SurveyMonkey Audience, Cint, and TapResearch. In addition, for each country/sample combination, three waves of data collection were performed, with each wave one month apart. The samples were independent across the three waves. Respondents could choose the device (as opposed to been assigned to) for taking the survey. The same questionnaire (except minor changes to the demographic questions) was used in the study. In the presentation, we will present whether the mobile web usage different by country and sample. Also, we will show the demographic and data quality differences, if any, between mobile and non-mobile respondents by country and sample. This is the first study of this kind that examines the mobile web in such large scale and cross-cultural perspective.

ADOPTION OF MOBILE WEB AMONG UNIVERSITY STUDENTS IN MALAYSIA: A REVIEW

This paper reviews major issues of mobile technology and mobile web usage among university students, including characteristics, importance and problems faced by university students when accessing web sites through mobile devices. This article also reviews the technology adoption models/theories that will best explain the adoption of IT/IS. The author identified Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) as the best model in explaining adoption of mobile web because TAM is the most suitable in explaining behavioural intention in the context of mobile devices. Mobile Web is the World Wide Web which is accessed through a mobile device such as laptop computer, smart phone or tablet. It establishes the entirety of the Internet and is not limited to webpages which have been specifically designed to be viewed through mobile devices. Distinctive features of mobile technology especially mobile web technology and its progressive impacts on information transfer and learning process has created many educational opportunities for higher education institutions. Although mobile devices are highly flexible, accessible and convenient, students are still facing great problems when they use mobile web for educational purpose.

Why Do Web Surveys Take Longer on Smartphones?

Surveys completed on mobile web devices (smartphones) have been found to take longer than surveys completed on a PC. This has been found both in surveys where respondents can choose which device they use and in surveys where respondents are randomly assigned to devices. A number of potential explanations have been offered for these findings, including (1) slower transmission over cellular or Wi-Fi networks, (2) the difficulty of reading questions and selecting responses on a small device, and (3) the increased mobility of mobile web users who have more distractions while answering web surveys. In a secondary analysis of student surveys, we find that only about one-fifth of the time difference can be accounted for by transmission time (between-page time) with the balance being within-page time differences. Using multilevel models, we explore possible page-level (question-level) and respondent-level factors that may contribute to the time difference. We find that much of the time difference can be accounted for by the additional scrolling required on mobile devices, especially for grid questions.

Mobile Web Usage by Students of Paramedical Courses in Puducherry

The application of mobile technology in accessing the Internet and its resources (mobile web) is the best ever invention in the digital era. The mobile web usage in the field of health sector is of great importance to every individual and this paper analyses the use of mobile web by the paramedic students of Puducherry. Why, when and for what they are used is studied. The analysis of data reveals that 65.3% respondents use mobile web, 59.4% respondents use their mobile devices equally for accessing e-mail and social networking services. 56.3% use for browsing web services for general searches and 53.1% respondents use mobile web several times a day.

Context-Aware Multimedia Content Adaptation for Mobile Web

Multimedia content in web pages poses a variety of problems to mobile web users, such as incompatibility with mobile devices or failing to meet accessibility needs of users with vision disabilities. To address those problems, this study proposes and evaluates a context-aware approach to multimedia content adaptation for mobile Web. It uniquely takes into consideration not only users’ preferences and accessibility needs, but also capabilities of multimedia support of specific mobile devices. Evaluation shows that the proposed approach is accurate and efficient. This study provides insights for research on context-aware mobile computing, adaptive interfaces, and mobile HCI.

Time-activity pattern observatory from mobile web logs

Air pollution has become a striking problem in recent years. When estimating the degree of human exposure to a particular air pollutant, time-activity pattern is one of the most important factors, which is able to quantify the time people spend in different micro-environments, such as indoor and outdoor. Traditional surveys use the method of questionnaires and telephone calls to explore the time-activity pattern. In this paper, we propose a novel method to analyse the time-activity pattern by utilising mobile web usage log. We test the method on two datasets covering about four million users. Experiments show that our method achieves an acceptable performance, and can truly measure the time-activity pattern of human beings.

Sensitive Topics in PC Web and Mobile Web Surveys: Is There a Difference?

A large number of findings in survey research suggest that misreporting in sensitive questions is situational and can vary in relation to context. The methodological literature demonstrates that social desirability biases are less prevalent in self-administered surveys, particularly in Web surveys, when there is no interviewer and less risk of presenting oneself in an unfavorable light. Since there is a growing number of users of mobile Web browsers, we focused our study on the effects of different devices (PC or cell phone) in Web surveys on the respondents’ willingness to report sensitive information. To reduce selection bias, we carried out a two-wave cross-over experiment using a volunteer online access-panel in Russia. Participants were asked to complete the questionnaire in both survey modes: PC and mobile Web survey. We hypothesized that features of mobile Web usage may affect response accuracy and lead to more socially desirable responses compared to the PC Web survey mode. We found significant differences in the reporting of alcohol consumption by mode, consistent with our hypothesis. But other sensitive questions did not show similar effects. We also found that the presence of familiar bystanders had an impact on the responses, while the presence of strangers did not have any significant effect in either survey mode. Contrary to expectations, we did not find evidence of a positive impact of completing the questionnaire at home and trust in data confidentiality on the level of reporting. These results could help survey practitioners to design and improve data quality in Web surveys completed on different devices.

When lifestyle becomes behavior: A closer look at the situational context of mobile communication

The web is going mobile, and the scope of mobile communication is widening tremendously, thus paving the way for a wide array of new forms of mobile device use. However, not every user is necessarily all the time taking advantage of the expanded affordances of mobile devices. Texting and phoning are still the predominant services in mobile communication. Previous research has argued that different styles of mobile communication are related to different user lifestyles. Thus, a remapping and matching of the landscape of mobile communication in relation to user lifestyles seems necessary. In this paper, we take one step back and first consider the instances in which lifestyles become behavior; i.e. actual usage situations of mobile communication. We outline three empirically deduced types of mobile communication usage situations, as well as three types of mobile web usage situations, to shed light on the instant at which lifestyle becomes behavior; i.e. at which specific usage situations of mobile communication actually occur.

Cell phone based telemedicine - brief introduction

In 2008, cell phone user population hit 641 million while the mobile web user population reached 117 million in China. The development of mobile technology gives rise for greater potential to improve the public’s health. Leveraging on the development of intelligent sensors, wireless transmitters, as well as a dynamic medical network, we bring forth a new concept of cell phone-based telemedicine specially catered for those suffering from chronic respiratory diseases. Such a cost effective and convenient health care service is enabled though the utilization of wifi/GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) system and GPS (Global Positioning System) in widely used cell phones. Briefly, our cell phone based medical service is composed with the following components: (1) Terminal devices collecting information from the patient, like oxygen saturation, heart rate, lung function or other physiological parameters. The breakthrough of our system is to integrate the spirometer with a cell phone unit (ATS NEWS, 2009, VOL.35 NO.7/8). (2) Electronic transfer of such information over a distance through the internet wirelessly; (3) Terminal devices by which doctors remotely receive patients’ information and send feedback or tailored advice to the patients. (4) A medical center for coordinating, providing technical services and regulating. (5) Software enabling the interactive communication between doctors and patients. In summary, Cell phone based Telemedicine could monitor diseases and facilitate personalized management in mobile way with following advantage: real time, quick, high efficiency; reduce hospital visits and improve outcome; cost-effective in the long-term; alert the patients to take medicine or measurement. It will also Increase working efficiency of famous doctors, could educate doctors and patients by mobile way, and could work for Clinical Trial.

Web application for recommending personalised mobile tourist routes

This study deals with the problem of deriving personalised recommendations for daily sightseeing itineraries for tourists visiting any destination. The authors’ approach considers selected places of interest that a traveller would potentially wish to visit and derives a near-optimal itinerary for each day of visit; the places of potential interest are selected based on stated or implied user preferences. The authors’ method enables the planning of customised daily personalised tourist itineraries considering user preferences, time available for visiting sights on a daily basis, opening days of sights and average visiting times for these sights. Herein, the authors propose a heuristic solution to this problem addressed to both web and mobile web users. Evaluation and simulation results verify the competence of the authors’ approach against an alternative method.

QR codes in use: the experience at the UPV Library

QR codes are beginning to be introduced in our libraries and are an easy way to give additional information to mobile web users in a given time and place. In this paper, we share the experience and give some examples of the introduction and use of QR codes at the Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV) Libraries in Spain. We describe how we use QR codes to give access to our mobile website, to download documents and to promote our literature blog. We also describe how we promote our QR codes to both users and librarians, including some best practices. Finally, we discuss our future projects, such as the use of QR codes for information literacy.