Interactive video browsing on mobile devices

Abstract

Today, videos can be replayed on modern handheld devices, such as multimedia cellphones and personal digital assistants (PDAs), due to significant improvements in their processing power. However, screen size remains a limiting resource making it hard, if not impossible to adapt common approaches for video browsing to such mobile devices. In this paper we propose a new interface for the pen-based navigation of videos on PDAs and multimedia cellphones. Our solution - called the MobileZoomSlider - enables users to intuitively skim a video along the timeline on different granularity levels. In addition, it allows for continuous manipulation of replay speed for browsing purposes. Both interaction concepts are seamlessly integrated into the overall interface, thus taking optimum advantage of the limited screen space. Our claims are verified with a first evaluation which proves the suitability of the overall concept.