CoAware: Designing Solutions for Being Aware of a Co-Located Partner’s Smartphone Usage Activities

Khalad Hasan, Debajyoti Mondal, Karanmeet Khatra, David Ahlström, Carman Neustaedter

Keywords: Smartphone use, Co-located awareness, Interpersonal communication

Abstract: There is a growing concern that smartphone usage in front of family or friends can be bothersome and even deteriorate relationships. We report on a survey examining smartphone usage behavior and problems that arise from overuse when partners (married couples, common-law relationships) are co-located. Results show that people have various expectations from their partner, and often feel frustrated when their partner uses a smartphone in front of them. Study participants also reported a lack of smartphone activity awareness that could help decide when or how to communicate expectations to the partner. This motivated us to develop an app, CoAware, for sharing smartphone activity-related information between partners. In a lab study with couples, we found that CoAware has the potential to improve smartphone activity awareness among co-located partners. In light of the study results, we suggest design strategies for sharing smartphone activity information among co-located partners.

Confirm No Double Submission: Yes

Withdraw On Reject: Yes