Evaluating Swiftpoint as a Mobile Device for Direct Manipulation Input

Amer, T., Cockburn, A., Green, R. and Odgers, G.

This paper presents a promising new computer pointing device, called Swiftpoint, that is designed primarily for mobile computer (for example, laptop) users in constrained space. Swiftpoint has many advantages over current pointing devices: it is small, ergonomic, has a digital ink mode, and can be used over a flat keyboard. We present the results of a formal evaluation conducted to compare Swiftpoint to two of the most common pointing devices with today's mobile computers: the mouse, and touchpad. Two laws commonly used in evaluating pointing devices, Fitts' Law and the Steering Law, were used to evaluate Swiftpoint. Results showed that Swiftpoint was faster and more accurate than the touchpad. The performance of the mouse was however, superior to both the touchpad and Swiftpoint.

Cite as: Amer, T., Cockburn, A., Green, R. and Odgers, G. (2007). Evaluating Swiftpoint as a Mobile Device for Direct Manipulation Input. In Proc. Eighth Australasian User Interface Conference (AUIC2007), Ballarat, Australia. CRPIT, 64. Piekarski, W. and Plimmer, B., Eds. ACS. 63-70.

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