Related work justifying the use of apps in mobile context and mainly the browser on the desktop

When comparing user performance with desktop computers and mobile devices, it is important to consider how the usually different screen sizes of these devices affect user performance. Chae and Kim (2004) investigated in a lab experiment, how screen size and information structure affect user behavior and perception. This experiment was designed, because the researchers found that small screens of mobile devices, combined with the increasing complexity of mobile tasks, are an obstacle to usability. The participants were confronted with differently structured menus they had to use to navigate with to a given goal. Chae and Kim found significant results for both screen size and information structure on user behavior and perception, as well as an effect of task complexity on the importance of information structure. (1)

For accomplishing online tasks, users usually have the choice between a traditional browser-based website (optimized for desktop computer or laptop), a version of that website, optimized for smartphone browsers and, often, using an app developed for said online task.

Maurer et al. (2010) developed an online survey about browsing habits, comparing the use of desktop browsers and mobile browsers. The results show, that users prefer the original content over the mobile version, if available. A following user study about performing a visual task showed no significant differences in user performance on desktop and mobile browsers. (4)

Laura Haak Marcial (2012) conducted an extensive study, measuring task execution times for searching tasks with different independent variables. These were the different screen sizes, which in this case are desktop, tablet and smartphone, interaction devices (mouse and keyboard, touchscreen) and different types of search, namely within document, known item and exploratory. Further, scrolling and paging were compared for within document search, as well as generic website and mobile optimized website for known item search on smartphones. Generally, the search tasks went slower on mobile devices, especially smartphones. User perception, in form of task load and usability, mostly aligned with the task execution times. (3)

Ling and Svanes (2011) argue, that the use of mobile internet is linked to the development of smartphones and apps and see apps as an alternative to desktop-based browser metaphors. These browser metaphors are not always appropriate in a mobile context, because they often use mouse and keyboard input and fragmented navigation tools, like drop down menus and text entry windows. Since apps are better scaled for smaller screens and are optimized for the touchscreen as input device, they are preferred over browsers in a mobile context. (2)

Literatur:

(1) Chae, M., & Kim, J. (2007). Do size and structure matter to mobile users ? An empirical study of the effects of screen size, information structure, and task complexity on user activities with standard web phones, 3001. https://doi.org/10.1080/01449290410001669923

(2) Ling, R. (2011). Browsers vs . apps : The role of apps in the mobile internet, (September 2015). https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.1.2688.5602

(3) Marcial, L. H. (2012). Moving beyond the Desktop: Searching for Information with limited Display Size.

(4) Maurer, M., Hausen, D., Luca, A. De, & Hussmann, H. (2010). Mobile or Desktop Websites? Website Usage on Multitouch Devices, (January). https://doi.org/10.1145/1868914.1869018