Cloud2Bubble: enhancing quality of experience in mobile cloud computing settings

In recent years the mass adoption of mobile devices and increasingly ubiquitous connectivity have contributed to a radical change in the way people interact with computer systems. Moreover cloud computing infrastructures have paved the way for the development of smart systems in such settings, whose goal is to provide a service to enhance user experience based on environment and user sensed data. In this context, there is a clear disconnection between the two streams that flow continuously between user and cloud-based systems. On the one hand, user- and environment-generated data is being, for the most part, disregarded by service providers. On the other hand, services offered do not address users' specific needs and preferences. In addition, service discovery is a cognitive demanding process and it may have detrimental consequences in user experience. In this paper we propose a user-centric framework that addresses the disconnection between these two streams: Cloud2Bubble. The framework facilitates the design and development of smart systems. It aims at leveraging existing technology, such as environment sensors and personal devices, to aggregate localised user-related data - defined as a bubble - into the cloud. This aggregation later supports the delivery of personalised services, contextually relevant to users. The delivery of services with such characteristics has the potential to enhance quality of experience and influence user behaviour. A first iteration of the platform was developed and an evaluation in a simulated environment was performed with encouraging results. Thus, the platform will be further expanded for instantiation and evaluation in the context of urban public transports. We intend to investigate the effects of relevant service delivery in terms of enhancement of quality of experience and influencing user behaviour. The delivery of a service with these characteristics presents benefits for both users and service providers.