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Until recently, only traditional research methods have been used to understand the use of mobile devices and applications. These include, for example, focus groups, observations and interviews that are conducted in controlled laboratory-like settings. In reality, however, these methods possess several challenges and even problems. Most importantly is the fact that these methods do not consider or measure the influence of context. The fact is this: a user does not exist in a social or physical vacuum.

Many of the complexities related to gathering data about mobile technology use emerge from the fact that the real life is “out there”– it’s not enough to gather information in a fixed environment. The physical movement and ever changing geographic location found in the modern mobile lifestyle suggests the need to use a more fluid, hence less static, method of analysis. Therefore, the methods used to study mobile use and usability need to be context-centered.

Context provides insight into not only who users are (demographics) but what is important to them and what motivates them to act and make decisions from moment to moment. It is already a well known fact that users are innovative, i.e., they invent new ways to use their mobile devices. Added to this is the fact that different users may use the same device differently in different situations. Meeting the users in their natural surroundings allows observers to monitor user behavior triggered by environmental, social and emotional cues.

Hence, context provides the key to understanding the user…and the user cannot be understood without observing the everyday contexts in which she uses her mobile device. So, good usability testing will somehow, in some way, take user context into consideration.