I stumbled upon this very innovative magazine that you can actually wear it.  Like the regular subscribed magazine, each “issue”, designed by T-Post will focus on one news issue. In this past issue, you can play rock, paper, scissors with the t-shirt through a webcam. Not only it take publishing to next level, the AR feature just make this wearable magazine much more interesting.

HCI is about people, interactions and system interfaces. First, people do what people are good at, such as observation, interpreting, determining what is important, and making the final decisions. There are situations where human decisions need to be assisted by data visualizations. Secondly, the computer does what it is good at, which is repetitive tasks and routine. Finally, collectively, people will make better decisions or influence each other on their decisions. But neither people (individual or communities) nor computers are forced to do what the other does better. HCI strives to integrate the two so they can compliment each other to achieve more productivity.

There are quite a few challenges in applying universal design in the context of HCI in order to provide the formative insight needed to design interactive products that can be experienced by the mass in different contexts. The distinctive characteristics of these products may be identified by briefly considering the changes in the socio-technical paradigm; from the early days of computing to the 21st century human interfaces intended to provide a gateway into the world of distributed information paradigm; the scope and context of use of the computer (hard to define what a computer is these days, what is the computing power needed in order to be called a computer),;as it becomes a mediating tool for increasing different types of human (both business and personal) activities.

In another short 5-10 years, mini or micro computing devices will be everywhere as medical and consumer devices becoming mass. While HCI is still in its infancy, some HCI practitioners are trying to break away from common conception of an “average” user interacting with a laptop in the office to get work done, and to engage in a conscious effort to develop new understanding, methodologies and tools, in order to understand the following:

How emerging new distributed computational paradigms will create new challenges for HCI designs? How do we research behavior that does not exist today?
How new interaction /interface design can be effectively used to serve an increasing range of system-mediated human activities?
When does interactions / interface design cross the line and becoming service design? Interactive artifacts are now being introduced into service settings in a larger degree.
How new visceral interactions that are driven by interactive paradigms rather than user needs emerge, beyond the imagination of the novice users?
What are the emerging threats to privacy that force us to rethink some fundamental concepts in HCI when attackers, ranging from the curious to the highly malicious, might abuse or subvert the system?

The mystery surrounding Apple’s next big announcement appears to be up, at least if you follow (and believe) the rumors that are rampant on the internet. Apple will likely be unleashing a tablet product to the legions of Mac faithful. In my mind, this will act as a bridge of sorts, to try to entice those who are willing to buy iPod Touch and iPhones, but have yet to take the plunge on a Macbook or Mac desktop. It seems as though Apple will try to leverage the popularity of the iPhone to get new users to become acclimated to the OS X software. This would be an incredibly smart move from a

Levarging the Success of the iPhone to help a new iTablet?

business standpoint, as the more familiar consumers are with the native Mac OS the more Apple increases their chances of consumer’s purchasing a Mac instead of a PC at the next buying opportunity. Macs are generally known for their ease of use, but it can still be rather jarring to someone who has used a PC for the entirety of their life to jump into a Mac, and the tablet will act as a primer in a sense.

Apple is likely to offer a few variations on the model, likely to accommodate different user needs with different size displays and likely storage capacity as well. It would not be surprising to see 2-3 different models (9″, 11″, 13″ displays) to begin with at launch. One of the main differences between this and existing tablet competition will be the software and the resolution of the screen. I feel as though Apple will go with a HD ready display (for High Def video playback), capable of 1080p for their 13″ model, and 720p for their 9″ and 11″ models. This in conjunction with the capacitive touch software that the iPhone is known for, will be the key to their success. The user interface will make extensive use of the high resolution with the easy zooming that the iPod Touch and iPhone have pioneered.

Given that the screen display is such high resolution, there is the ability to have many different programs / tasks on the go at once. However, given that the screen size itself is rather limited, seeing the entirety of the ‘desktop’ would require a zooming out. This would allow the user to organize their windows, zooming in and out between them, or using the rocket dock below. In a sense, it would be like zooming in on a map to do something specific, but then zooming back out, to get the big picture.

The Mac iTablet would function by touch, but also with a pen that is stored inside the main body of the tablet, so that it avoids being easily lost or left behind. The pen would offer sensitivity and precision that finger usage can not duplicate, and would largely serve for creative purposes (sketching, quick notes, etc). Since the Mac OS Leopard has built in hand writing recogition, that function would obviously help play a key role in making ‘on the fly’ note writing into full fledged text documents with minimal effort.

There are reports that an Apple commercial for an upcoming product was shot in a retro 50′s diner, and that many believe it to be either a new iPod or the iTablet.   It is highly unlikely that there will be any momentous changes with regards to the iPod Touch and iPhone as Apple does not want to break compatibility with all the Apps, which is a big part of what sets them apart from the other companies.

So if the setting of a retro 50′s diner was used for a new product, and it was unlikely to be an iPod, then how would the iTablet fit in to this setting? What if upon entering the diner (or even before), a user’s iTablet was asked (via built in wi-fi) whether they wished to view the menu? So now the users are able to view the menus on their own personal tablet, potentially view detailed pictures of what certain foods are, etc.. What if the waiter / waitress isn’t writing down your order as you say it to them, but rather selecting from the list on their own iTablet? Furthermore they could be scribbling any custom handwritten notes that are necessary with the iTablet’s pen. If the customers are waiting for their meals, they could peruse the digital jukebox’s song list and submit their own choices to enter the song queue to play next over the loud speakers at the diner.

While these are all very small examples of potential functions of the iTablet in the diner setting, it becomes easier to see that such a device has very real potential in all different environments. Think of the person maintaining inventory at retail stores getting live updates on what is being sold and the quantities remaining, or the construction worker building a skyscraper who needs to inform his boss of a problem on the ground. He simply takes a picture or uses the video conferencing to show his/her boss the problem in real time. Such devices usually take some time for people to really sort out the frivolous from the legitimate uses, but once designers and consumers begin to discover the uses that can make a real impact in people’s lives, the power of the device grows exponentially. What potential uses do you see for such a device?

Architectural shot from Chase Jarvis

I have recently re-ignited my interest in Photography in a big way, by going (almost) all out and buying a big expensive camera. I’ve also immersed myself into learning all that I can about the craft and practicing as much as time allows. The process thus far has been rewarding. Learning a new craft usually is, at least for me.

There is one issue. Kinda. Carrying around a DSLR and a couple of lenses, can at times be inconvenient for those times where you are walking about, and see something that catches your eye that you just have the urge to capture. Sometimes, by the time you get the camera out, what you wanted to photograph is gone. You missed the moment. It’s also a psychological commitment. In many ways you have to prepare yourself, and go through a thought process before taking the shot. Now, mind you, this is the way I believe it should be, but one is not always in “photography mode”.

Enter the iPhone. A few months ago, I started noticing some buzz on Twitter coming from the photographers I follow, as some of them started to experiment with iPhone photography. One photographer in particular stood out. That is Chase Jarvis. Every week, sometimes more then once a week, he posts a new iPhone photograph to his twitter account and by doing so, has inspired a slew of photographers to stand up and notice what might be possible to do with a little iPhone camera and a good eye. Have a look at his portfolio of photographs taken with his iPhone. Now, Chase Jarvis is a very talented professional photographer. He obviously has some mojo going on. But, his creative outlook and hunger to stay creative even when he cannot be, inspired him to start experimenting with his iPhone camera.

He ignores the status quo. He ignores the common perceptions that most people see as handicaps. “The iPhone is not a real camera”, “The resolution of the sensor is garbage”, “No control over exposure, or selective focus”, etc. Instead he sees the potential that these perceived handicaps enable, turns them around, and uses them to create art. And the results thus far, are awesome and inspiring. A slew of other photographers are now following his lead, and are now looking at the iPhone and other small mobile cameras, as creative tools. As a result, there is a proliferation of new creative photography popping up online, that up until a few months ago, simply was not there.

And yes. It has inspired me as well. The awesome part about it for me, is that it presents a different way to look at the world. It’s quick, it’s small so its not obtrusive, and with a couple of little apps, you can actually create some pretty decent photographs. As well, it keeps my desire to make photographs alive when typically I would not be able to.

So what is there to take from this? A few things I believe. Creativity can come from anywhere. Don’t limit yourself to just one way to look at the world or a problem. Use tools that are readily available. Innovation can have unintended consequences, which in turn can create other innovations.

Caress is a product platform that combines physical hardware with web and mobile services to provide people living with diabetes a simple set of tools and services to monitor and track their blood sugar levels while providing the opportunity to socialize their experience and educate others. By utilizing an electromagnetic technology developed at Baylor University, users will be able to accurately measure their glucose levels simply by touching or caressing the device, transitioning the blood glucose readings from a painful and awkward, private experience to one that is more naturally habit forming. Hand vein scanning technology will be used to identify and differentiate between the separate users for tracking purposes in order to allow friends, coworkers and family members to participate in the experience and see their blood glucose levels, promoting better understanding and removing some of the isolation that many people living with diabetes feel. It can also operate to ease the concerns that friends or family often have through visibility. Hand vein scanning was decided upon over fingerprints as it is more accurate and studies have shown that fingerprint scanning has a negative psychological effect as it still connotes criminal behavior, which may present a barrier to usage.

Each Caress device will be networked with bluetooth or WIFI capabilities, allowing readings to be transmitted to the web services component of the platform through home or office computers or mobile devices. Users will be able to access through their computers or mobile devices metrics around their blood sugar levels with the opportunity to receive mobile alerts when it is time to take a reading. Over time, the aggregated data will provide users with trend data that will help them and their health care providers identify the optimal approach to dealing with their diabetes.

Phase One – Sculptural Object

As the electromagenetic technology is fairly nascent, Phase One will focus on creating modern sculptural devices (sample shown figure 1.0) that can be placed in high traffic areas within the home or office. Interior displays beneath the touch surface of the device will provide the user with their current levels as well as relevant trend data. When the device is inactive, the display will show color coded (to represent various glucose levels) dynamic abstract visualizations of the most recent data, providing encouragement and reinforcement of positive behaviors while attracting visual interest to initiate the socialization process.

Phase Two – Mobile

As economies of scale are achieved with manufacturing, integration of electromagnetic ainto the skins of mobile devices through a flat radial design will allow for a seamless experience as the skins will be able to get a reading each time the device is used, transmitting readings directly to the mobile device and by extension the online analytics experience. Unique ring tones can also be setup to remind the user when a reading is required. Internet capabilities will allow data to be transmitted to and from the central web servers to either the mobile browser or native application. Integration with other mobile data services can seamlessly provide value add information such as where the nearest grocery or convenience store is or specific recommendation on actions to take to balance sugar levels.

Economic downturn or not, travel continues to be a huge growth industry – if not for the sheer numbers of people criss-crossing the globe in search of tans and adventure, at least in terms of the sheer numbers of social media connections between them that facilitate better, more personalized experiences of travel. Customer reviews and ratings are fine and dandy, especially for sites and services designed to help customers find out what existing travel, trips and future stories await them. But do niche-motivated tourists and travelers who want to get off the beaten path and discover more granularity go?

Idea Couture’s first book, No One Works Here, offers a series of roadmaps to navigate what we see as emerging intersections between sociality, technology, design and business opportunity. One of those roadmaps is designed to make sure tourists and travelers arrive in style – a whole new style. It’s Red Crumbs. The idea behind it?

Truly discovering a new city at ground level takes more time, effort and money than most visitors can afford. Usually, the short cuts fall short: publishing cycles keep travel books from being on point and up to date; hotel concierges are quick to recommend only those restaurants, bars and clubs that are nearby; online portals to specific cities are driven by advertising, not users; and organized tours offer little more than a bland view (usually from the top of a bus) for the generic tourist. As an industry, travel and tourism have yet to meet the needs of those visitors who are eager to get off the beaten path, down the back alleys and into the realm of experiencing what cities have to offer beyond the brochure.

RedCrumb is a service that meets the experiential expectations of every visitor to every city in the world by connecting them with the spaces, places and people that make local cultures truly come to life. It begins with Crumbs – bits of information, reviews, routes, addresses, reviews, routes, dates and tips – dropped and tagged by Crumby Guides, neighborhood natives with specific areas of interest and experience in hotels, shopping, restaurants, bars, chefs, parks, beaches, markets, fetish clubs, DJs, bands, galleries, historical landmarks, microbreweries, yoga classes and more. On personal tours led by Crumby Guides or through digital audio and video they’ve uploaded to RedCrumb.com, visitors to a new city curate the kind of urban experience normally reserved for insiders. A self-sufficient platform, revenue is based on an in-person cost-per-tour/digital cost-per-stop model and shared between enterprising Crumby Guides and RedCrumb.com.

Case Study: You Could be the next great Crumby Guide
Your friend calls you up to say they will be visiting you in the big city next month! They’ve never been outside their town. You have lived in your city for about 3 years and take it upon yourself to show them everything you possibly can in the short week they are visiting. You start mapping out the great places they simply must see. Do they want to do all the touristy things? Are they a food connoisseur? Do they have money to burn on some serious shopping? All these questions factor in to your week long extravaganza. Now, what if you are visiting a new place and you don’t have that friend/personal tour guide? Then you need Redcrumb. A resource for fantastic and even custom tours of cities and towns you want to visit. Love vintage shopping? Want great food for cheap? Want to see the best places to take photographs? The most general or specific tours, just for you.