One of the sessions that I was sorry to miss at Interactions 10 back in February was Timo Arnall’s “Designing for the World Wide Web” presentation. Not knowing anything about his work I was put off by the bland, timeless title. What a miss on my part! When I finally got around to watching the session recording I found his insights poetic, humane, grounded, and inspirational. Troubling, as well, too – there is as much dystopian as promising about possible futures with smart objects and pervasive computing.
Seeing as it’s Friday though – I’m keeping it light with two of my own fine suggestions for smart objects (yes…. These explain why I make the big bucks for sure):
1. Cuisinart iPhone Coffee Connection App:
What use is it to have to program my coffee maker and set my alarm too, only to snooze the alarm, fall back in a stupor, and let the fresh coffee sit around until it is no better than day old minimart swill? None!
So here’s my winning app suggestions: Pawing the iPhone alarm snooze button turns on my Cuisinart® Grind & Brew Thermal™ Coffeemaker which I have cleverly managed to prepare with a clean filter and fresh water. Minutes later, if the happy pet sound of the coffee maker hasn’t done it, the coffee maker tells the iPhone alarm to go off again and to provide a coffee pot graphic and fresh ground coffee bean aroma so enticing I actually get up. Success! Satisfaction! Verticality! Caffeine!
2. The Fabulous Fridge Alarm Magnet
Who needs a smart fridge? I am perfectly capable of finding a recipe and making a shopping list on my own and I don’t want to watch TV standing up in my kitchen. What I could use is a fridge magnet that shows me the location and severity of each container of old food, liquefied greens, and orphaned egg whites. Not only would it encourage me to do the right thing by my produce but it would allow me to avoid ugly surprises by steering well clear of the truly skeevy, scary stuff.
All the best to everyone in the U.S. for a wonderful, long Memorial Day Weekend
Links:
- Timo Arnall’s Design, Media and Research site
- Wikipedia entry on “The Internet of Things”
- Internet of Things 2010 Conference
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