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Re: Where is the Apple II of wearables?

From: Pete Hardie <>
Date: Mon, 27 Apr 1998 17:11:32 -0400

Bill Nordstrom wrote:
>   Mainly I want to combine the
> following modern day encumbrances:
> 
> 1. A mobile phone
> 2. A walkman- a necessity in my view.
> 3. Organizer
> 4. Address/phonebook
> 5. Maps
> 6. Memo pad

This parallels my recent thoughts on this, but add in 
7. pager

I know that the digital cell phones usually have this capability, but
until digital
service is the norm, pagers are useful.

(side note, are there PC/104 compatible boards that will receive pager
and/or
cellular signals, and drop them into the text/audio paths?

> As I see it, the emphasis on HMD in the wearable community is stifling the
> emergence of this crucial product.  I don't know many people that are
> dependent on a camcorder all day long.  Sure, I would love an unobtrusive,
> nonstop visual data feed all day.  I would love to video conference with my
> wife while shopping, but that is a wish presently, and not a need in most
> peoples minds.

I disagree - the HMD stuff has been mostly for a *text* HMD - the P4 as
Grail.

I don't want to need to remember to look into a lens to see if my email
is answered,
or have an open flat LCD (privacy), and sometimes an audio alert (or
Steve Mann's
electro-shock alerts) is not good either.  An HMD allows for a private,
visual
alert.

If I'm going somewhere and need directions or a map, I'd prefer not to
have to stop
and look into a device, then resume my journey - I want to have them 'at
my eyeball-tips'
so I can navigate and keep on track.

I'm willing to do with less for now, and I think that a mini-LCD (3-inch
screen, say)
that can be retro-fitted with an HMD later would be the ideal system.

-- 
Pete Hardie                   |   Goalie, DVSG Dart Team
Scientific Atlanta            |
Digital Video Services Group  |

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