Now i'm a bit of a avid collector for all things gadget, such as often getting the latest gadget as soon as it comes out.
I also own quite a few apple devices, but I hadn't felt the desire to rush out and buy an iphone.
These days the trend is to converge all our devices into one, in an attempt to make our lives simpler by not having to carry or buy more than one device.
It was whilst discussing the features of the iphone that it was pointed out that it lacked certain features.
The iphone web browser doesn't support flash, for one and the ability to send multiple text messages, were just two of the simple features missing.
Being limited to one network and not being able to change the battery, also removes that element of choice.
I'm sure all these features will be included in the next generation iPhones as the technology improves.
But it's because of this need to cram it all in and the limits in technology that somethings had to go.
With all the improvements and convergence, products are suffering.
Improved functionality often has to be sacrificed in order to reduce cost, keep a product size down or just to get it out in time.
As the old saying goes "Jack of all trades, master of none".
It's better to have a device that does what it does well, rather than trying to do a bit of everything and failing.
Now convergence can't always be bad, certainly when it enhances the primary function of the device.
For example, the advent of camera's on phones has turned everyone into a photographer and has provided them with the ability to record and send images to friends.
The original purpose of putting cameras on phones was so that people could make video calls (does anyone actually do this?). The functionality of the phone can't get much better but with the addition of the camera the phone has been enhanced for both good and bad (happy slapping-!!??).
Another fine example, is internet connections and wi-fi in games consoles. There has always been that extra enjoyment when playing against a friend rather than the computer, the interaction, the challenge, and the ability to gloat!
Now the ability to play anyone all over the world has opened up the arena and the chance to play and interact with someone else.
Television watching habits have changed over the last few years with the combination of a hard drive with a TV set top box. People can now chose when and how they watch and record there favourite TV programme.
These are good examples of a secondary function being added to a product to improve it.
This is all part of good product design.
Thinking about how to improve on a product, device, service is what design is about not what can i add.
So when you think about it, do you really need just one device to fit into one pocket?
Next time take a look at your new device and see how it works, however i might add i did say the iPhone look good!
Two products i have come across recently which caught my eye was the glo pillow and the new Samsung NV digital camera.
Now i often feel particularly tired in the mornings, especially in the winter months. But if i was to to treat myself i would get one of these.
The glo pillow is an alternative to the traditional alarm clock. It was designed in response to a brief to create a product which helps to combat the pressures of a "24 hour" lifestyle.
The pillow uses an LED fabric below the surface to wake the user using light. This fabric also functions as a display, showing the time on the pillows surface using the grid of LEDs below.
40 minutes before the set alarm time the pillow begins to glow and gently brings the user out of sleep. This natural waking process helps to set the circadian rhythm or "body clock" and results in more healthy sleep/wake patterns.
The second product is more from a aesthetic perspective. The new Samsung NV digital cameras are a just thing of beauty. Whilst the technology inside the camera is up to date, the styling harks back to the 1970's style SLR cameras. The old roll film SLR cameras were rarely messed with when it came to functionality. The choice of buttons and speed settings were rarely changed, with only the lens being updated.
Digital cameras are constantly being improved with the number of pixels being upped everyday. Samsung have combined the latest technology with a simple design which has gained recognition, having been recently included in the current Best Design and Advertising exhibition at Urbis, Manchester.
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