Holding hands over a distance: technology probes in an intimate, mobile context

Abstract

While apart, couples can verbally and visually communicate through existing technologies such as mobile phones, text messaging, videoconferencing and email. Yet, other important means of communication, such as holding hands, can only happen when couples are co-located. We investigated if geographically distant handholding in a mobile context is important for young-adult couples by deploying a simple technology probe. Unfortunately, the design of our probe fell short in encouraging participants to engage with it. While it is important for technology probes to be simple, they need to be well designed. Our current and future work incorporates form design into the technology probe method to better support intimate, mobile contexts.