The simplest of devices seem to be the most difficult to make. I've been having this feeling for want of a simple device to take my 'notes'. I'm seeking a simple and elegant tablet device that would do one thing well - substitute for 'back of envelopes' by acting as a device to take notes. Lemme explain why I felt a need for such a device.
An idea might strike us any time - during cafeteria discussions, in a rather sleepy office meeting, walking down the corridors, at the gym, at home while watching a movie or in the middle of the night - a Kekule-ian dream! And then I scurry for a piece of paper to write it down - lest it should be lost in the sea of thoughts. Though I have my laptop most of the times, I don't feel like resuming the system up to write down a few lines of text - it's just inconvenient. Taking the thought down on my mobile isn't a good idea either. The T9 is good, but imagine pushing so many teeny-weeny buttons. And it's definitely not practical when I wish to compose a blog like this one. A nokia communicator is just too big and its qwerty keyboard just too small. Currently I seek solace to this problem by using back of envelopes, an odd notes' book kept on the table, or using Microsoft One Note if my laptop is on. But I need an integrated solution. A digital device that can help compose, store and share.
The usage model for such a device would be as follows. The device should weigh less than 100 grams and should be small enough to fit in a normal pocket - like a mobile phone or an iPod. The input should be using a stylus and a full screen write capability. I insist on a full-screen write because I've seen other phones with styluses having a terrible interface. One Motorola model has a full screen selection - that is, we can select any icon anywhere on the screen by tapping, but we can write only in the small boxes in the bottom of the screen! Much like the TIP feature of Windows Tablet PC edition. That too, one can write only in small letters! Look Ma, no Capitals! This device should store the written content in Beziers - I cannot expect them to be able to convert into text efficiently. The bluetooth should help synchronize it with laptop - so that I could collate all my notes in Microsoft One Note. Such a device would help us taking notes (anytime, anywhere), composing email and putting our thoughts down in a reliable, retrievable, manageable and shareable way.
I don't think we need a Jonathan Ive to design this system. Have a set of basic features. One shouldn't try to design a do all device - it ultimately does none…like many PDAs. Make the UI really easy - like using a flip pad. Have elegant looks. Give it optional features - probably a gsm phone, gps reader (unless it compromises with the weight). Have a full color display with white backlight and black ink. Some options to highlight/flag would be great. Have small number of large icons - Mac style…and we're done.
What in your opinion is the plausibility of such a device? If developed, would you use one?
I use the good old pocket notebook for this purpose..but yes,there is a limit to the 'size'