Evaluating Information Synchronization Methods in Large Display-Centered Multi-Device Collaboration

Information-sharing between devices is believed to affect collaboration ef ciency and user experience in multi-device environments. However, existing research has not adequately explored how different information-sharing methods impact users in commonmulti-device setups involving both large and small devices. To address this gap, our study investigates the impact of three different information sharing methods-No Sharing, Conditional Sharing, and Continuous Sharing—on user collaboration behavior, task completion time, and user experience in a multi-device environment. We also examined the role of participant familiarity and its effect on collaboration. We conducted a within-subject experiment in which participants collaboratively planned a shared trip using three different information-sharing modes. We found that different information-sharing modes did not signi cantly change users’ task ef ciency and exploration habits, as participants often focused on the same region regardless of the mode. Familiarity between users signi cantly affected both communication time and frequency. Participants generally preferred the continuous information-sharing mode. These ndings suggest that incorporating continuous information-sharing features can improve user satisfaction. Designers should also consider user familiarity to create adaptive communication features that enhance collaboration efciency and user experience.