Distributed Interaction: A Multi-Device, Multi-User Music Experience

In order to take full advantage of the opportunities provided by an increase in consumer device interoperability, we need to explore the design of multi-device systems beyond data sharing between devices. This paper presents an approach to distributed interfaces as technology supporting social interaction in a non-work environment. It consists of a collaborative music system, which in addition to bene fit from distributed music storage also distributes playback control onto several mobile devices and provides output through a common situated display. The system has been tested in three different real-life contexts in order to explore the interaction space of non-work multi-device, multi-user environments.