Validating the Benefits of Glanceable and Context-Aware Augmented Reality for Everyday Information Access Tasks

Glanceable Augmented Reality interfaces have the potential to provide fast and efficient information access for the user. However, where to place the virtual content and how to access them depend on the user context. We designed a Context-Aware AR interface that can intelligently adapt for two different contexts: solo and social. We evaluated information access using Context-Aware AR compared to current mobile phones and non-adaptive Glanceable AR interfaces. We found that in a solo scenario, compared to a mobile phone, the Context-Aware AR interface was preferred, easier, and significantly faster; it improved the user experience; and it allowed the user to better focus on their primary task. In the social scenario, we discovered that the mobile phone was slower, more intrusive, and perceived as the most difficult. Meanwhile, Context-Aware AR was faster for responding to information needs triggered by the conversation; it was preferred and perceived as the easiest for resuming conversation after information access; and it improved the user’s awareness of the other person’s facial expressions.