As If I Am There - A New Video Chat Interface Design for Richer Contextual Awareness.

We introduce a novel video chat interface with a 360° photo as background in order to offer richer contextual and background information. We conduct a preliminary user evaluation in a lab setting. Paired participants were randomly assigned to two conditions, using regular interface or 360° photo interface. Each pair video chatted in pairs, then completed a post-study survey and answered several questions about their experience. Participants reported to have less behavioral interdependence and more inclusion using 360° photo video chat interface. They also reported having strong interest in employing it in long-distance intimate relationship, and made some suggestions for design iterations.