CellepathyCellepathy

M. Ian GrahamM. Ian Graham

CS @ UIUCCS @ UIUC

Oct. 6, 2004Oct. 6, 2004

PlatformPlatform

Ubiquitous mobile device (cellphone)Ubiquitous mobile device (cellphone) + Location info (integrated GPS)+ Location info (integrated GPS) + Social network+ Social network = AWESOME= AWESOME

Missing now:Missing now:• Ubiquity of cellphone w/consumer-usable GPS Ubiquity of cellphone w/consumer-usable GPS

(Not long—selling in Japan/Korea)(Not long—selling in Japan/Korea)• Social network interfaces designed for mobiles Social network interfaces designed for mobiles

(coming out in Japan right now!)(coming out in Japan right now!)

Imagine: ApproachimateImagine: Approachimate

You’re walking down a crowded street You’re walking down a crowded street when you get an alert from your when you get an alert from your phone—someone who knows your phone—someone who knows your friend John is passing by you right friend John is passing by you right now!now!

He has his phone out too and is He has his phone out too and is looking your way, and you approach looking your way, and you approach each other and strike up a each other and strike up a conversation.conversation.

Imagine: PlaydarImagine: Playdar

You’re riding the subway. It’s dinner time, You’re riding the subway. It’s dinner time, and you’re getting hungry but don’t want and you’re getting hungry but don’t want to eat alone.to eat alone.

You have your phone do a scan of the local You have your phone do a scan of the local area—it finds a friend of a friend who likes area—it finds a friend of a friend who likes the same music as you, only a couple the same music as you, only a couple stops away.stops away.

You give him a quick call, and decide to You give him a quick call, and decide to meet up at a nearby restaurant to have a meet up at a nearby restaurant to have a bite and talk about the new album you’re bite and talk about the new album you’re both listening to.both listening to.

What about chat?What about chat?

Lots of “shared space” interfaces and Lots of “shared space” interfaces and “presence” ideas try to bridge the “presence” ideas try to bridge the gap by giving an illusion of proximitygap by giving an illusion of proximity

Is trying to convey spatial proximity Is trying to convey spatial proximity the wrong idea to make people the wrong idea to make people friendly?friendly?

My ideaMy idea

With this platform:With this platform:• Don’t try to close the spatial gapDon’t try to close the spatial gap• Make the whole space a friendlier placeMake the whole space a friendlier place• Convey distance and physical location Convey distance and physical location

information—it helps bring people information—it helps bring people together physically!together physically!

(Me)

My voice: “Hey Bob!”

Bob

Bob

Me: . o O (Yep, that’s him)

*send*

Bob’s voice:“Hey Ian! What’s up?”

Use the Distance!Use the Distance!

Use the Distance!Use the Distance!

Possible representation of our Possible representation of our “talkspace”“talkspace”

Voices get “projected into this Voices get “projected into this area”area”

If stylus input, could draw the If stylus input, could draw the desired talkspace to set up a desired talkspace to set up a conversation!conversation!

Zoom!Zoom!

As Bob talks more...As Bob talks more...

Zoom!Zoom!

As Bob talks more...As Bob talks more...

ZZoom in on him.oom in on him.

Zoom!Zoom!

Spot comes back in, both Spot Spot comes back in, both Spot and Bob are talkingand Bob are talking

Zoom!Zoom!

Spot dominates the Spot dominates the conversationconversation

Implications?Implications?

Instead of a confined, artificial space, Instead of a confined, artificial space, users work in the real world and are users work in the real world and are conscious of real spaceconscious of real space

Increased awareness of and Increased awareness of and increased richness of real-world increased richness of real-world environmentenvironment

Implications?Implications?

Increased person-to-person “gravity”Increased person-to-person “gravity” More likely to transition from online More likely to transition from online

to IRL interaction if you know it’s to IRL interaction if you know it’s easy! If they’re right next to you...easy! If they’re right next to you...

In the context of a social network:In the context of a social network:• Increased consciousness of F-o-FsIncreased consciousness of F-o-Fs• Encourages relationship-buildingEncourages relationship-building• Can provide immediate physical Can provide immediate physical

meeting opportunity AND immediate meeting opportunity AND immediate icebreakersicebreakers