An Exploratory Study of Mobile Computing Use by Knowledge Workers

TL;DR

This study explores how knowledge workers used Compaq iPAQ PDAs over 20 weeks, revealing application usage patterns, challenges faced, and insights into successful mobile application characteristics.

Contribution

It provides preliminary insights into mobile computing use by knowledge workers, highlighting application patterns and factors influencing successful mobile application deployment.

Findings

Identified common applications used on iPAQs

Observed changes in usage over time

Highlighted characteristics of successful mobile apps

Abstract

This paper describes some preliminary results from a 20-week study on the use of Compaq iPAQ Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) by 10 senior developers, analysts, technical managers, and senior organisational managers. The goal of the study was to identify what applications were used, how and where they were used, the problems and issues that arose, and how use of the iPAQs changed over the study period. The paper highlights some interesting uses of the iPAQs, and identifies some of the characteristics of successful mobile applications.