Physically present, mentally absent: technology use in face-to-face meetings

This work-in-progress discusses qualitative findings about the impact of portable technologies in collocated collaboration. Laptops, cell phones, and other handheld devices are both a distraction during face-to-face meetings, and at the same time allow spontaneous access to needed information. Interviews with fifteen professionals were conducted to elicit why and how these technologies are used in meeting settings. Responses across participants varied strongly and indicate that this emerging research area must look at the notion of context in new ways to support both individual and group needs.