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RESEARCH PRODUCT

The Screen Is Yours—Comparing Handheld Pairing Techniques for Public Displays

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Whereas mobile devices have been heavily investigated as remote controls for distant displays, research on the fundamental first step, the pairing with the display, is scarce. In a comparative user study with 31 participants we evaluated five potential pairing techniques concerning their performance and acceptance for connecting to a public display and gained insights into the general requirements for pairing techniques in this special usage context. Besides four established mobile interaction techniques (touching an NFC tag, capturing a QR code, scanning, and manual input), our study considered a recent appropriate pairing technique called display pointing, which allows passers-by to connect to available displays just by pointing their smartphone at the installation, for the first time. Our results show that display pointing is superior to traditional alternatives to a large extent. Yet, its quick response times can result in a perceived lack of control if not handled appropriately. Further, we learnt that long distance techniques are generally preferred while the type of device gesture as well as security concerns are of less relevance.