Category Archives: Product design

Digital simulacra and the iPad human interface guidelines

This was originally posted as a comment to an article in UX Magazine about the iPad human interface guidelines. I was reminded by it today by this blogpost by Ben.geek.nz about the forthcoming Windows Phone 7 UI design. While I … Continue reading

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Why wouldn’t you want an Apple iPad on your coffee table?

The Apple iPad isn’t just the first credible device in a new category — it’s leading the way towards a world of elegant, specialised computers. Continue reading

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A Litl bridge across the digital divide

The simple new Litl computer could be just the thing for first time computer users and may help to bridge the digital divide by bringing new computer users online. Continue reading

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Netbooks: the really personal computers

The joys of using a really small, really useful, go-anywhere computer. Continue reading

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Parsimonious design (or not)

In which we explore the parsimony principle in design with reference to two horribly over-engineered ideas: the Segway personal transporter and ebook readers. Continue reading

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The features you have vs. the features you use

Of the 21 features on my phone, I use just five. Can’t someone make a phone without all the rest? Continue reading

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Reboxing videos

We need reboxing videos to show us how to get our tech toys back in their boxes. Continue reading

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Hack your world

On the web, in the streets and even in the municipal flowerbeds, people are taking design into their own hands. Continue reading

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Simplicity: The humble vernacular kitchen timer

Just twist and go. No low-contrast LCD display. No instruction booklet. No learning curve. No fiddly buttons. No modes. No batteries. No battery cover to snap off or lose. No battery changes. No weedy digital beep-beep-beep. £3 delivered. This is … Continue reading

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