A large-scale study of iPhone app launch behaviour

Alistair Morrison, Xiaoyu Xiong, Matthew Higgs, Marek Bell, Matthew Chalmers

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

21 Citations (Scopus)
57 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

There have been many large-scale investigations of users' mobile app launch behaviour, but all have been conducted on Android, even though recent reports suggest iPhones account for a third of all smartphones in use. We report on the first large-scale analysis of app usage patterns on iPhones. We conduct a reproduction study with a cohort of over 10,000 jailbroken iPhone users, reproducing several studies previously conducted on Android devices. We find some differences, but also significant similarities: e.g. communications apps are the most used on both platforms; similar patterns are apparent of few apps being very popular but there existing a 'long tail' of many apps used by the population; users show similar patterns of 'micro-usage'; almost identical proportions of people use a unique combination of apps. Such similarities add confidence but also specificity about claims of consistency across smartphones. As well as presenting our findings, we discuss issues involved in reproducing studies across platforms.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationCHI 2018 - Extended Abstracts of the 2018 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems
Subtitle of host publicationEngage with CHI
Place of PublicationNew York
PublisherACM
Pages1-13
Number of pages13
ISBN (Electronic)9781450356206, 9781450356213
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 20 Apr 2018
Externally publishedYes
Event2018 ACM Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems - Palais des Congrès de Montréal, Montréal, Canada
Duration: 21 Apr 201826 Apr 2018
https://chi2018.acm.org/

Publication series

NameConference on Human Factors in Computing Systems - Proceedings
Volume2018-April

Conference

Conference2018 ACM Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems
Abbreviated titleCHI 2018
Country/TerritoryCanada
CityMontréal
Period21/04/1826/04/18
Internet address

Keywords

  • App launches
  • IOS
  • IPhone
  • Large-scale
  • Methodology
  • Mobile HCI
  • Privacy
  • Smartphone usage
  • Usage patterns

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