I agree that the cyborg factor is a big deterant to mass appeal. Overcoming this problem would go toward the asthetics issue of a minimal marketable wearable (MMW). Until displays become unobtrusive and inconspicuous the HMD will be prohibitive to mass acceptance. This is partly why I have suggested that there is presently too much emphasis on an the necessity of an HMD. I would suggest that a MMW should certainly have the capability of an HMD, but should be usable without one. This would accomodate a marketing reality. Sort of like how all web pages could have virtual reality and video content, but most web designers are reluctant to put them in because 28.8 browsers can't handle it. So here are my suggestions for an MMW and rough estimates of the technology required and its price: Hardware Features: 1. Wireless voice/data connection 2. PMCIA slot expansion chain with desirable form factor- PMCIA cards would be stacked onto device like bricks in a way that continually let you smack on another PMCIA card. This would allow for further expansion of capability, storage, and batteries. 3. A monochrome, touch sensitive, backlit screen 4. PMCIA connectivity- Ideally the base unit (minus battery and PMCIA cards) could slide into a TYPE III slot or part of it could slide into a Type II slot. 5. GPS- I think you can get this for about $150 now. This might be dispensible for an MMW, but it adds a facility which be usefull for map applications and tracking. 6. A port for an HMD- To save money this might be implemented through a PC Card. Software features- 1. Simple Voice Recognition- Not dictation capable. Just able to respond to commands which the user would have to train the device on. (Given Graffiti's success on the PalmPilot I don't think this is prohibitive.) This might implemented by a dedicated chip like those used in the voice dial phones 2. Voice notes and text-to-speech 3. Mp3 or similiar compact, high quality capability - To win over the walkman crowd. 4. Web browsing, email, voicemail, map directions (combined with GPS this could be as simple as auditory directions like- MMW: "turn left on Maple street" User:"Next direction?" MMW: "Turn right on Main Street") 5. Java capable for other applications. Connectivity features 1. Voice notes could be converted to text when fed into a desktop. 2. Synching capabilities like the palm pilot. Timothy D. Gray wrote: > Well the hardest part of getting a wearable to the mass market is to make > it as invisible as possible to others. I.E. eliminate the cyborg look. > there are some really neat commercial wearables out there, but > unfortunately you would scare children, put seinors in cardiac arrest, and > limit your employment to burger king. Wearables are a great idea, dont get > me wrong, but mass marketing along the lines of PDA's..... the Weller > brush salesman will get more sales if he doesn't look like the terminator. > > Wearables have a really long way to go before mass market applications, or > scoiety needs to wake up and smell the soldering iron and accept us > cyborgs as we are.... geeks with hardware! -- Bill Nordstrom University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center 5323 Harry Hines Blvd. Dallas, TX 75235-9039 W:214-648-9227 Fax: 214-648-8694 emailCooltalk: 129.112.20.190
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