Smart communication under transforming lifestyles : user study of smart mobile devices among Hong Kong youth

Abstract

Social and individual lifestyle patterns are currently undergoing rapid changes, and with the advent of the mobile Internet, an increasing number of people are using smart mobile devices to coordinate their everyday lives. In Hong Kong, for example, smartphones have become widespread and young people have become dependent on them. From basic communication to searching for information on the Internet, shopping online and even hailing taxis, smartphones can help people to achieve their goals. Smart mobile devices have already made people's traditional lifestyles more intelligent, diversified, and convenient. This thesis explores how smart mobile devices are being used by Hong Kong's young people and to what extend they have become integrated into people's everyday lives. This study considers the people, society, device, service (PSDS) model, which can help us to better understand the context of smart communication and how people use smart mobile devices in the information age. Questionnaire, observation and focus group interview research methods were used to compare preferences and user scenarios with regard to various smart mobile devices. Based on case studies of smart mobile devices and emoticon communication among Hong Kong's young people, an analysis of user behaviour and design directions was conducted. The study considers not only the current market, but also potential and future markets. In the context of developing diverse cultures, the trend of smart communication is leading to a new lifestyle in Hong Kong, which brings opportunities and challenges. The study findings reveal six characteristics of smart communication-security, mobility, efficiency, coordination, sociability and enjoyability-and indicate the significant factors that influence these six characteristics, providing insights into the participants' personal device usage, experiences, feelings and emotions. The positive and negative effects of smart communication are discussed. The study analyses how the smart mobile device, as an information provider, can support people's daily lives, and how smart communication can both decrease and increase the distance between people. The findings show what smart communication characteristics can assure the quality of user experience. A framework inspired by the paths and cycles of smart communication was generated to probe the underlying meaning of smart communication in terms of culture and technology, and to stimulate new ways of thinking about the interaction between culture and technology in an information society. This study attempts to explain the different types of behaviour exhibited by young people in Hong Kong and the causes of their behaviour. It also suggests criteria for improved user experience design in the field of smart communication. The research outputs provide references for smart mobile device manufacturers, helping them to better understand users and thus design better mobile devices and user experiences for the future market.