TABLE OF CONTENTS This chapter focuses on the use of mobile devices, particularly when they are used in public places. There is a strong emphasis placed on mobile phone usage throughout the chapter, as the mobile phone, more than any other form of mobile device, is having the most significant impact on the way we behave in public places. Therefore the discussion will focus on the social usability of mobile devices. Social usability can be defined here as environmental and social factors; such as current locations, expectations, interpretations of behaviour, that influence people's own behaviour and attitude towards the use of mobile technology in social situations.
As the use of mobile telecommunications increases (particularly that of mobile phones) there is a growing body of research that indicates that use of mobile communications are influencing how we go about our daily lives from both a social and economic perspective. According to a study carried about by Wei and Leung (1999), the majority of calls being made by mobile phone users takes place on streets, on public transport, in shops and in restaurants. This finding will probably not surprise you as you will be used to seeing people using mobile phones on trains, in caf s and restaurants, etc. In addition, you have probably (unintentionally, of course) heard the topics of some of these conversations, which may have been business orientated (e.g. someone talking to a client) or more socially orientated (e.g. arranging to meet a friend to go...
