Experiments in mobile spatial audio-conferencing: key-based and gesture-based interaction

In this paper we describe an exploration into the usability of spatial sound and multimodal interaction techniques for a mobile phone conferencing application. We compared traditional keypad based-interaction to that of a newer approach using the phone itself as a device to navigate within a virtual spatial auditory environment. While the traditional keypad interaction proved to be more straightforward to use, there was no significant impact on task completion times or number of interaction movements made between the techniques. Overall, users felt that the spatial audio application supported group awareness while aiding peripheral task monitoring. They also felt it aided the feeling of social connectedness and offered enhanced support for communication.