Although finger touch is widely expected as the control mechanism for touch tables, tangible object interaction is another, if rarely implemented possibility. Little empirical research exists showing uptake, user engagement, or use preferences for adult users of multi-touch tangible systems (Antle & Wise, 2013; Schneider et al., 2010) with the majority of past research for tangible objects focusing on children (Marshall et al., 2003; Price et al, 2008; Zuckerman et al., 2005). Yet it is adults, as decision makers, who are the true targets of increasingly available commercial multi-touch table applications. By observing the interaction behaviours of 20 participants, this research investigates the appeal of two distinctly different styles of tangible objects compared with their finger touch equivalents. The explorative style study measures user preferences, perceived engagement, fit for purpose, usability, and enjoyment. The aim is to determine how the inclusion of tangible object interaction as part of the interface influences user preferences compares with a touch only system. This provides valuable base information to predict potential uptake and preferences of local adult users for future tangible or hybrid tangible touch systems.

Item Type:	Refereed Conference Paper
Keywords:	tangible user interface, muti-touch interface, interaction design, physical vs virtual objects
Research Division:	Information and Computing Sciences
Research Group:	Library and information studies
Research Field:	Human information interaction and retrieval
Objective Division:	Expanding Knowledge
Objective Group:	Expanding knowledge
Objective Field:	Expanding knowledge in the information and computing sciences
UTAS Author:	Brown, M (Mr Mark Brown)
UTAS Author:	Chinthammit, W (Dr Winyu Chinthammit)
UTAS Author:	Nixon, P (Professor Paddy Nixon)
ID Code:	97317
Year Published:	2014
Deposited By:	Information and Communication Technology
Deposited On:	2014-12-10
Last Modified:	2017-11-20
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