In this paper we examine the contextual factors driving users’ decisions to change smartphone ringer modes, and in particular switching between a full (normal) mode where all notification modalities are enabled, and a discreet ringer mode (i.e. where audio is disabled). We add to the limited current literature through a qualitative study based on the theory of Reasoned Action Approach, and the longitudinal collection of empirical data from users’ devices. Our findings demonstrate that temporal, spatial and social context are strong determinants for the decision-making process of switching ringer modes. In particular, social context emerges in a much more complex form than described in previous studies, questioning if it can be accurately captured in all its richness. On the other hand, temporal and spatial context are found to explain much of the variation in ringer mode use, enabling prediction of appropriate ringer mode states using machine learning. Our findings open new directions for cross-cultural, longitudinal research.

在本文中，我们研究了导致用户决定更改智能手机铃声模式的上下文因素，尤其是在启用所有通知模式的完全（正常）模式和谨慎的铃声模式（即禁用音频）之间进行切换。通过基于“理性行动方法”理论的定性研究以及从用户设备中纵向收集经验数据，我们增加了有限的文献。我们的研究结果表明，时间，空间和社会背景是切换铃声模式的决策过程的重要决定因素。尤其是，社会情境以比以前的研究中描述的更为复杂的形式出现，质疑是否能够以其全部丰富性准确地捕捉到它。另一方面，发现时空上下文可以解释铃声模式使用中的许多变化，从而可以使用机器学习来预测适当的铃声模式状态。我们的发现为跨文化的纵向研究开辟了新的方向。