Understanding and supporting long-form text in Mixed Reality

Abstract

Mixed reality (MR) technology provides advanced spatial computing and display capabilities, yet its implications for reading and navigating long-form text are not well understood. This thesis investigates, through two controlled studies, how MR can support central aspects of the medium: sustaining deep, focused reading experiences and enabling efficient navigation within long-form documents. The first study examines user experience and flow state when reading narrative text in MR. The second explores MR capabilities for spatially organized navigation in long-form documents compared to conventional approaches. Through these studies, this work demonstrates that current MR headsets can support immersive reading experiences, and that spatial navigation systems significantly reduce task load while improving speed and usability. These findings highlight the importance of designing for human factors and how spatial metaphors can inform the development of more effective and engaging MR reading and navigation systems.