Using touch gestures to adjust context parameters in mobile recommender and search applications

The design of interfaces suitable for recommender and search applications on mobile devices is a complex and extensive task. Not only does one have to allow for the simple adjustment of filter settings, one also has to cope with technical and physical limitations like the reduced screen size and the lack of comfortable input methods most users are accustomed to. In this paper we consider the scenario of a user looking for a movie to watch at a cinema. To adjust context parameters in this scenario, we present a novel minimalistic interface that is based on touch gestures. We abandon conventional control elements in order to enhance usability and to devote the screen space to content instead of dispensable elements. Eventually, we evaluate our approach by means of a small user study with positive results.