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| Calm Computing Devices Enter Concept Stage |
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posted by Editor on Wednesday January 16, @12:57PM
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With computation and communications capability getting built into more and more devices, users are becoming increasingly vulnerable to information overload. A central theme in the development of calm computing is the shift of information from the center of a user's attention to the fringes, allowing people to deal with information at a pace and at a moment they are comfortable with. This allows information to be presented in a manner that relaxes the user's senses. Following these guidelines, Ambient Devices has developed a software and hardware platform that can be used to embed information in any product, targeting traditional product companies that want to embed ambient information in their watches, pens, shoes, key fobs, clothing, furniture, etc. The company is now gearing up to make its first product: StockOrb, a softball sized sphere that continuously changes color depending on an investor's portfolio performance. It turns increasingly green as the investments earn money, more red when they losing money, and glows a brighter blue as change minimizes.
The company also has some other calm computing products in the concept stage, including smart key chains that show traffic conditions and pens that monitor email.
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Some of the applications Ambient Devices is considering include:
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A pair of "peer-to-peer" picture frames that light up when one member of a couple is thinking of the other.
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A pinwheel that spins only when the user receives e-mail from a select group of friends (a variation of the original dangling string). With this interface, the user only goes to the computer when there is meaningful email waiting.
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TrafficFob, a smart key chain that is included with new cars. To set it up, the user goes to the automaker’s home page and enters their home and work addresses. The TrafficFob then constantly shows if there is congestion on three alternative routes home.
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SchedulePanel, a display embedded on partition wall that indicates when it's getting close to next meeting. Instead of starting a time consuming task requiring deep concentration, the user can the remaining time to return some phone calls. The wall panel lets user optimize his time by giving him a constant awareness of upcoming events without the distraction of being in front of his computer.
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MessagePen, a smart pen that changes color depending on the number of voicemail messages waiting. Users can concentrate on meetings confident they’re not ignoring other clients. Users thus done’t have to waste time checking their voicemail when the time is better spent on other business.
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