Mobile refinding of web information using a voice interface

Refinding information found on the web is a considerable problem for many users, especially when in mobile situations. In this paper, we explore how a voice-controlled service, accessible by telephone, could help to support mobile users' needs for refinding specific information previously found on the web. We outline challenges in creating such a service and describe architectural and user interfaces issues involved in an exploratory prototype system called WebContext.We also present the results of a study - motivated by our experience with WebContext - to explore what people remember about information that they are trying to refind and how they express information refinding requests in a collaborative conversation. The results and observations from our study: 1) add support and extend prior research on the importance of waypoints in the refinding process, 2) provide evidence that refinding may be accomplished using an iterative, two-stage model in which users first search for the information source, and then browse for the particular information being sought, revealing details of their information need as they make progress, and 3) give insights into the use of annotations added to web pages by the user to help in a collaborative refinding process. We also note the importance of context and artifacts in the refinding process and comment on the possible implications of our findings for the design of tools and interfaces for information refinding with a special emphasis on implications for voice interfaces for mobile refinding.