Follow-ups: 07-10-2009

Follow-ups for Hardware Becomes Software

“A set of more obvious examples of hardware becoming software. These have changed the entire music industry.” (thanks Chris)

| Tags: sensors, apple, technology, innovative UIs, product concepts

Hardware Becomes Software

Though it's not a new trend, the rate at which hardware solutions become just software solutions is interesting to watch. As consumer device platforms (like the iPhone) integrate a rich enough set of capabilities to develop on, the transition from unique hardware for every consumer device to a set of screens that can run many software solutions accelerates. Here's just a few examples:

| Tags: apple, sensors, technology, convergence, interface

Coming iPhone Software Enhancements...

In recent articles, I've been discussing the impact of sensors on design and the transition from hardware to software. Apple's iPhone platform is a shining example of these trends in action. Today, the Patent Office published several Apple patent applications related to iPhone software. From Mac Rumors:

Object Recognition: Describes methods by which a mobile device user could detect an object via camera, RFID sensor or other means and have their device automatically identify and provide additional information on the object.

Facial Detection: Utilizes automatic facial detection via a camera on the device to determine that a user is present or passively interacting with the device. The method may also be used to grant or deny users access to restricted applications or other data.

Voice Modulation: Describes methods for modulating voice audio output to simulate additional voices. Apple's examples describe a mother who could have an audiobook read in her voice to her child or a student who wishes to alter a section of a podcast lecture for emphasis.

More on these fillings...

| Tags: apple, technology, sensors, communication, innovative UIs

Common Capabilities, Different Screens

When personal computing companies build up a compelling platform of hardware and/or software capabilities, they can bring these to life across a range of screens that align with the different facets of people's lives.

• Palm-sized screens: mobile devices, PDAs, cell phones
• Lap-sized screens: laptop computers, netbooks, tablets
• Desk-sized screens: workstations, desktops (perhaps increasingly less important for the home)
• Wall-sized screens: TVs, wall projectors

| Tags: apple, technology, convergence, sensors

Wardrobe Manager: It's Just Software

As part of a series of articles on interface concepts five years ago, I outlined a networked device for wardrobe management. Wardrobe Manager was a WiFi connected wall-mountable display that used the RFID tags embedded in clothing to maintain digital inventory, usage patterns and recommendations for your wardrobe.



Wardrobe Manager accessed information about each of the RFID tagged items in your closet including: product photos, warrantees, care instructions, purchase dates, cost, and more. You could also set Wardrobe Manager to track your daily clothing selections. The interface would then make suggestions based on what you wore in the past, what remained in your closet, what could potentially match your current selection, what a trusted friend has suggested (through a shared social network), and what was most appropriate given today’s weather forecast. You'd never wear the same shirt to work twice in one week again!

At the time, Wardrobe Manager was conceived of as a networked consumer device. In other words, you bought the hardware and got the software. Today, this assertion seems foolish as hardware platforms are so sensor-rich that products like Wardrobe manager only need code to run.

In fact, if Apple's recent iPhone patents come to life, Wardrobe Manager can simply run as software on a networked smart phone with an RFID reader. Just install an application on your phone that makes use of the RFID reader and network connection.



For me, this example illustrates an interesting trend. When consumer device platforms integrate a rich enough set of capabilities to develop on, many consumer devices become just software.

| Tags: apple, product concepts, sensors, technology, convergence

Apple Devices with Built-in Micro Projectors

Expanding even further on my recent articles about understanding capabilities, Mac Rumors reports that Apple is expected to launch devices with built-in projectors later this year. The projectors would allow the iPhone and possibly the iPod touch to directly project video output onto an external surface.

To better understand the impact of this capability on consumer devices, take a look at this video of Pattie Maes' talk at the TED conference this year. In it she demos a wearable device with a projector that paves the way for rich interaction with our environment.

| Tags: apple, product concepts, technology, innovative UIs, interface

Web Form Design at UX Book Clubs

| Tags: forms

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