Handows: A Palm-Based Interactive Multi-Window Management System in Virtual Reality

Window management in virtual reality (VR) remains a challenging task due to the spatial complexity and physical demands of current interaction methods. We introduce Handows, a palm-based interface that enables direct manipulation of spatial windows through familiar smartphone-inspired gestures on the user's non-dominant hand. Combining ergonomic layout design with body-centric input and passive haptics, Handows supports four core operations: window selection, closure, positioning, and scaling. We evaluate Handows in a user study (N = 15) against two common VR techniques (virtual hand and controller) across four core window operations. Results show that Handows significantly reduces physical effort and head movement while improving task efficiency and interaction precision. A follow-up case study (N = 8) demonstrates Handows' usability in realistic multitasking scenarios, highlighting user-adapted workflows and spontaneous layout strategies. Our findings also suggest the potential of embedding mobile-inspired metaphors into proprioceptive body-centric interfaces to support low-effort and spatially coherent interaction in VR.