Adapting to mobile contexts with user-interface modeling

Mobile computing offers the possibility of dramatically expanding the versatility of computers, by bringing them off the desktop and into new and unique contexts. However, this newfound versatility poses difficult challenges for user-interface designers. We propose three modelbased techniques that will aid UI designers who are working in the domain of mobile computing. These techniques will allow designers to build UIs across several platforms, while respecting the unique constraints posed by each platform. In addition, these techniques will help designers to recognize and accommodate the unique contexts in which mobile computing occurs. All three techniques depend on the development of a user-interface model which serves to isolate those features that are common to the various contexts of use, and to specify how the user-interface should adjust when the context changes. User-interface models allow automatic and automated tool support that will enable UI designers to overcome the challenges posed by mobile computing.