Enhancing Mobile Interaction with Smartphone Cover

Abstract

Most smartphones support multi-tasking with several means to switch between apps (e.g., a recent apps button or a back button). However, switching between apps is cumbersome when one has to do it frequently—for example, when notifications keep interrupting ones current task. We introduce Peek-a-View, a fully transparent flipping screen cover that can reduce task switching overhead by providing an additional virtual screen space for subtasks. We assessed its feasibility in handling notifications. Upon receiving a notification, users can peek into the content of the notification without actually switching apps by slightly lifting the cover. If necessary, users can completely flip the cover to switch to the app that fired the notification. Two user studies showed that flipping and peeking interaction provided improved performance and proved to be useful for tasks that involve subtasks. Also, we propose cover interaction input modalities based on cover angles. Two type events

state change which supports discrete flip cover state and angle movement which changes value continuously when changing a flip cover angle

can be extended in future researches.