Jinwoo Kim

Mobile Internet, accessing the Internet via a mobile device such as cellular phones, has become quite popular recently. Mobile Internet is mainly different from stationary Internet because it may be used in various contexts, whereas stationary Internet is mostly used in pre-determined environments. However, it is unclear in what contexts the mobile Internet is used most frequently and which applications are most useful in those contexts. A greater understanding of the context of using the mobile Internet will help to increase usability and usefulness of the mobile Internet systems.

This talk presents results of two consecutive empirical studies that were conducted in order to identify key use contexts, usability problems, and useful applications of the Mobile Internet. The first study was conducted with 40 heavy users self-reporting their usage of the mobile Internet for two weeks. The second study was conducted with 81 average users self-reporting and also responding about their use of specific mobile Internet applications for one month. A preliminary result indicates that use contexts of mobile Internet are heavily clustered around a few key contexts rather than dispersed widely in diverse contexts. This talk will end with the analysis in progress, practical implications of the study results, and future research.