Constructing and examining location-based applications and their user interfaces by applying rapid software development and structural analysis

Abstract

Location-based applications exist at the border of the real and virtual worlds. These two realities are merged into a single experience that provides some added value for the user. Objects in the real world, whose position can be determined, can be projected to the virtual world, and with proper technology, the virtual data can be projected onto the real world.

Personal location-based applications serve the needs of an end user and are easily available for them. An interface for personal location-based applications is preferably carried by its user all the time, and possible devices include mobile phones and wearable computers. These devices are very different in nature, and they allow different kinds of applications and user interfaces.

This Dr. Tech. dissertation deals with location-based applications and their development. The dissertation is composed of eight research papers, which deal with the construction of location-based applications, user interfaces, and associated theory. Three research methods have been used in this dissertation. Constructive research methods have been applied in location-based application and platform development, empirical methods are used in application evaluation, and theoretical analysis on location-based application UIs.

In this dissertation we propose new user interface techniques, and a method for analysing the user interfaces of location-based applications. Rapid development of multi-user location-aware applications have also been studied, with emphasis being on user generated content. Finally, a new way to analyse the structure of location-based applications is proposed.