W.O.U.S.: Widgets of Unusual Size

Abstract

Recent work in tangible interfaces, including widget sets like .NET Gadgeteer and Phidgets, has enabled prototyping of rich physical interaction at a handheld or tabletop scale. But it remains unclear how participants respond to physical widgets at larger scales. What kinds of interaction would larger widgets enable, and what kinds of systems - if any - can or should be built with them? We built unusually-sized widgets, or "mega-widgets" in order to explore this territory. We present the results of two iterations of building mega-widgets and accompanying user studies designed to help understand participants» reactions to mega-widgets and probe possible applications. Responses indicated, among other things, a correlation between widget size and the perceived size or importance of what it might control. Mega-widgets were also perceived as increasing the precision of user input control and providing a fun and playful element. We hope that knowledge gained from this exploratory work can help lay groundwork for further exploration of widgets at larger scales.