News in mobiles: Comparing text, audio and video

Virpi Oksman, Elina Noppari, Antti Tammela, Maarit Mäkinen, Ville Ollikainen

    Research output: Book/ReportReport

    Abstract

    If a user had the possibility to watch the latest television news on a mobile phone, or listen to the news on the radio or read text news with the mobile, what would he or she choose? In what cases would the user opt for mobile TV content and when would text or audio be chosen? This report examines the users' mobile media choices (text, audio and video) in different everyday contexts. The data for the research is based on ongoing empirical research, including field tests on a mobile media service prototype, carried out in Finland in 2006. The role of mobile TV news is also discussed in relation to other media usage. The purpose of the first field study was to evaluate the usability of the prototype and to explore users' media choices in different situations. Qualitative and quantitative methods were combined to make sure that adequate data was collected. Semi-structured interviews and media diaries help us understand users' media habits and how they voice their expectations and preferences. Log data reveals the time and duration of actual occurrences of service use. The empirical research shows that the mobile phone as media is suitable for many different situations. Mobility, diversity and the real-time effect are considered to be the most important characteristics of the service and that combination distinguishes the use of the news service from any other media use. The ability to select the media format (text, audio or video) suited to the situation at hand was considered important. Audio was perceived as being suitable for situations where the user was mobile, e.g. while walking, cycling or roller skating. For situations when the user was sitting or standing still, the media format selected was more likely to be illustrated news, text or video. Users appreciated updated information and information-rich media forms for mobile news delivery. There was high demand for only the latest news in mobiles. The real-time effect was considered important. Users appreciated fast functions, easy usability and condensed information and media forms for mobile TV and news delivery. Most of the users looked at the headlines or followed the news several times a day - much more often than the traditional TV and news prime times would allow.
    Original languageEnglish
    Place of PublicationEspoo
    PublisherVTT Technical Research Centre of Finland
    Number of pages41
    ISBN (Electronic)978-951-38-6907-6
    ISBN (Print)978-951-38-6906-9
    Publication statusPublished - 2007
    MoE publication typeNot Eligible

    Publication series

    SeriesVTT Tiedotteita - Meddelanden - Research Notes
    Number2375
    ISSN1235-0605

    Keywords

    • telecommunication
    • mobile phones
    • mobile media
    • data delivery
    • services
    • mobile television
    • on demand delivery
    • audio
    • video
    • text news

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