Plug and Play Objects
During the Sensibility and Limitations workshop, a workshop on how the elderly deal with information technology, we made some interesting observation when we attended a class on that teaches the elderly to use the Internet.
Among many insightful observations, we notice that they wrote down all the steps meticulously in a notebook, they would quit the program and restart whenever a popup dialogue box appears, they find the “folder within folder” layering of information daunting and one of them was using a magnifying glass over the screen to help him see better. The later has inspired us to develop the Digital Magnifier and we are exploring other Plug and Play Objects and how these physical objects could be use as tools that evoke thoughts and trigger a sequence of actions that are both conscious or unconscious.
Digital Magnifier provides a direct interface between user and technology by having a single function – enlarging information (both text and graphic) shown on the screen like a traditional magnifying glass. It connects directly to the computer via USB. The software activated enlarges the portions of the screen where the Digital Magnifier scans, offering enlargements with a sharper resolution than a traditional magnifying glass.
When we have computers that are so sophisticated, it may seem redundant to have a physical tool that performs just one simple function. Yet, because these new tools are shaped and behave like objects we are familiar with, we intuitively know how to use them for the digital world. The act of plugging it in to use and removing it when it is not needed emulates how we would do a task physically, by taking a tool, using it then setting it aside after. These tools strip away the complexity we associate with using technology as intention of each tool is clear. With that, the operation of the computer is simplified for
the user.
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Other products and services derived from the Sensibility and Limitations Workshop:
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Selection Knob / Button
Software solution
For actions / applications that are program-based like emailing or browsing the internet, a physical selection tool like a knob can be used to activate each program.This clears away any ‘interference’ from other appli-cations allowing one activity to be performed at a time. |
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Concierge Helpline
Business framework
 Modeled after concierge services and service call helplines where a single point of contact, via phone, will provide a large range of personal-ized services.
Potential high cost could be mediated by out-sourcing the service to other more cost-efficient countries and tapping on existing services provided through the Internet. |
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Payment Dongle
Service solution
A physical add on to existing products (mobile phone / computer) to enable time-based services to be activated. When it is plugged in, the pre-paid amount and remaining time available will be indicated for the service.
Unplugging will disconnect the service and reflect the remaining amount available. |
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