Simplifying the Multimodal Mobile User Experience

Many initial developments in multimodality focused on systems with unconstrained set of resources, such as those found in desktops, kiosks and rooms with high performance processors, large displays and hi-fidelity audio capabilities. In contrast, mobile cellular handsets are highly constrained, characterized by small screens, restrictive keyboards and intermittent network connectivity. Despite these restrictions, it has been suggested that multimodality should in fact be more useful in a wireless mobile environment (Kernchen and Tafazolli 05). This chapter endorses this view and further suggests that a simplified approach to mobile multimodality can be achieved through the incorporation of mobile device modes. The recent emergence of the mobile Web and well-defined Web standards, allows the development of rich Web applications and services. Such data services are likely to reshape how users interact with their mobile cellular phones in the next few years. AbsTRACT