Hover widgets: using the tracking state to extend the capabilities of pen-operated devices

We present Hover Widgets, a new technique for increasing the capabilities of pen-based interfaces. Hover Widgets are implemented by using the pen movements above the display surface, in the pen tracking state. Short gestures while hovering followed by a pen down access the Hover Widgets, which can be used to activate localized interface widgets, such as marking menus [9] or virtual scroll rings [13]. By using the tracking state movements, Hover Widgets create a new command layer which is clearly distinct from the input layer of a pen interface. In a formal experiment Hover Widgets had a greater time cost associated with their selection than a toolbar icon, but half of the users still preferred to use the Hover Widgets. ACM Classification: H5.2 [Information interfaces an