The PS3 controller in itself isn't that interesting to me, but the larger problem of physical interface design, a.k.a. ergonomics and usability, is. With handheld devices so popular and component sizes shrinking, we probably have the capability right now to make a Zoolander-style cell phone. But have we seen it? No, because the human hand is too big and fingers are too thick. At some point, anything "handheld" has a threshold for miniaturization, beyond which it's just too small for most people to use. And since companies don't seem to be into releasing multiple versions of gadgets for different hand sizes... we have an interesting problem to solve. If you want to frame it that way.
I think the solutions will be, in no particular order:
a) Ear-hanging phones, voice dialing, no hands
b) Eyeglasses/sunglasses displays
c) Clothing-integrated devices
d) Folding screens
e) Implantation
That last one is going to be a hard sell, as are the glasses displays (especially the kind that project a laser onto the retina). People get squeamish when you talk about violating their bodies for the sake of convenience. Cosmetics, yes, but electronics?
Why do I feel like one of those lame futurists who predicted automats in your house and flying cars and robot butlers?
read more | digg story
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1 comments:
I agree that it's an interesting topic. Until someone is able to tweak out the human sensory system, though, it seems to me that there will be a place for "small" and a place for "full-featured." I think these attempts to converge every conceivable device into one little box are just a waste of time.
As for the implantation angle, you won't see me signing up for that as long as Moore's Law is still going. I need my technology to be disposable and surgery isn't the smoothest upgrade path, yo.
Post a Comment