Initial course lecture

1. ExperimentalInput andOutput Overview of concepts, visions and arguments for extending conventional interaction techniques

2. Preview Alternative approaches Ubiquitous computing Design considerations David Lamas & Zahhar Kirillov, TLU, 2011

3. Alternative approaches David Lamas & Zahhar Kirillov, TLU, 2011

4. Alternative approaches Enhancing current input and output devices Keyboards Pointing devices High-degree of freedom devices Composite devices Video input/output devices Audio input/output devices Printers Modelers David Lamas & Zahhar Kirillov, TLU, 2011

5. Alternative approaches Exploring assistive input and output technologies Devices that provide essential accessibility to computers for those with significant vision, hearing, dexterity and mobility, language and communication, or learning needs, such as Alternative keyboards featuring larger or smaller-than-standard keys or keyboards, alternative key configurations, and keyboards for use with one hand Electronic pointing devices used to control the cursor on the screen without use of hands using ultrasound, infrared beams, eye movements, nerve signals, or brain waves David Lamas & Zahhar Kirillov, TLU, 2011

6. Alternative approaches Sip-and-puff systems, which are activated by inhaling or exhaling Wands and sticks worn on the head, held in the mouth or strapped to the chin and used to press keys on the keyboard Joysticks manipulated by hand, feet, chin, and used to control the cursor on screen Trackballsto move the cursor on screen Touch screens, which allow direct selection or activation of the computer by touching the screen, making it easier to select an option directly rather than through a mouse movement or keyboard David Lamas & Zahhar Kirillov, TLU, 2011

7. Alternative approaches Discover ubiquitous computing Which is what we are about to do! David Lamas & Zahhar Kirillov, TLU, 2011

8. Ubiquitous computing David Lamas & Zahhar Kirillov, TLU, 2011

9. Ubiquitous computing A term coined at the 1990s at Xerox PARC to describe a program addressing the issue that… “technology is part of accomplishing social action and that personal computers are too complex and hard to use, to demanding of attention, too isolating from other people and activities, and to dominating” These ideas were described by Xerox PARC’s CTO (Mark Weiser) in his 1991 article on the “The Computer in the 21st Century” published in the Scientific American magazine A sharp contrast to then perceived computing state of the art technologies such as portable computers and virtual reality David Lamas & Zahhar Kirillov, TLU, 2011

10. Ubiquitous computing According to Mark Weiser… The idea of integrating computers seamless into the world at large runs counter to a number of present-day trends. Ubiquitous computing is this context does not just mean computers that can be carried down to the beach, jungle or airport. Even the most powerful notebook computer, with access to a worldwide information network, still focuses attention on a single box. David Lamas & Zahhar Kirillov, TLU, 2011

11. Ubiquitous computing (Still) according to Mark Weiser… Perhaps most diametrically opposed to our vision is the notion of virtual reality, which attempts to make a world inside the computer. Although it may have its purpose in allowing people to explore realms otherwise inaccessible, virtual reality is only a map, not a territory. It excludes desks, offices, other people not wearing goggles or body suits… Virtual reality focuses an enormous apparatus on simulating the world rather than on invisibly enhancing the world that exists. David Lamas & Zahhar Kirillov, TLU, 2011

12. Ubiquitous computing (Still) according to Mark Weiser… Most of the computers that participate in embodied virtually will be invisible in fact as well as in metaphor. Already computers in light switches, thermostats, stereos and ovens help to activate the world. These machines and more will be interconnected in a ubiquitous network. David Lamas & Zahhar Kirillov, TLU, 2011

13. Ubiquitous computing Weiser wrote this paper in the pre-Web era His vision of many small and powerful computers, in different sizes, working simultaneously for one person (or small group) as simply unaffordable It wasn’t until 2005 that his vision begun to take place Although enabling technologies started to become available earlier, only in 2005 a range of industry factors made possible efficient development of products fitting Weiser’s vision of ubiquitous computing David Lamas & Zahhar Kirillov, TLU, 2011

14. Side note Adidas_1 David Lamas & Zahhar Kirillov, TLU, 2011

15. Ubiquitous computing In 2005 CPU technology prices fall to the point that information processing is now powerful and inexpensive The internet becomes familiar with clear social and commercial benefits (outside the scientific and engineering communities) Communication and data exchange protocols are now mature and widespread Digital telephony is firmly established and many people carry lightweight computers in the form of mobile phones Wireless communication becomes common and successful with millions of access points throughout the world Designers spent the first dotcom boom developing a wide range of interactive products and are now experienced with interaction design for networked services David Lamas & Zahhar Kirillov, TLU, 2011

16. Moore’s law To understand why ubiquitous computing is particularly relevant today, it is valuable to look closely to an unexpected corollary of Moore’s law David Lamas & Zahhar Kirillov, TLU, 2011

17. Moore’s law Gordon Moore’s initial assertion on semiconductor industry’s profit margin is usually paraphrased as a law predicting that processor transistor densities would double every two years An unexpected corollary of Moore’s Law is that as new information processing technology gets more powerful, older technology gets cheaper without becoming any less powerful David Lamas & Zahhar Kirillov, TLU, 2011

18. Moore’s law David Lamas & Zahhar Kirillov, TLU, 2011

19. Moore’s law Since new technology gets more powerful very quickly, old technology drops in price just as quickly And again, although older technology gets cheaper, it looses none of its ability to process information Thus, older information processing technology is still really powerful but now it is really cheap At the time of its release, the i486 processor cost about €1200 (in 2010 Euros) and could execute 16 MIPS Today a processor like the ATTiny offers the same level or performance by €0.40 David Lamas & Zahhar Kirillov, TLU, 2011

21. …and highlighting the fact that nowadays we no longer measure the ICT density in terms of person per computer but rather in terms of computers personDavid Lamas & Zahhar Kirillov, TLU, 2011

22. But what is ubiquitous computing? Ubiquitous computing refers to the practice of embedding information processing and network communication in everyday, human environments to continuously provide services, information and communication And this is what ubiquitous computing, UBICOMP for friends, is all about David Lamas & Zahhar Kirillov, TLU, 2011

23. But what is ubiquitous computing? It is also conceptualized as Pervasive computing Pervasive computing refers to the prevalence of this new mode of using digital technology The term also refers to the increasing integration of ICT into people’s lives and environments, made possible by the growing availability of microprocessors with inbuilt communications facilities David Lamas & Zahhar Kirillov, TLU, 2011

24. But what is ubiquitous computing? It is also conceptualized as Physical Computing Physical computing describes how people interact with computing through physical objects, rather than in an online or on monolithic, general purpose computers David Lamas & Zahhar Kirillov, TLU, 2011

25. But what is ubiquitous computing? It is also conceptualized as Ambient Intelligence Ambient intelligence describes how these devices appear to integrate algorithmic reasoning (intelligence) into human-built spaces so that it becomes part of the atmosphere (ambient) of the environment David Lamas & Zahhar Kirillov, TLU, 2011

26. But what is ubiquitous computing? It is also conceptualized as the Internet of Things The Internet of Things suggests a world in which digitally identifiable objects relate to each other in a way that is analogous to how purely digital information is organized on the Internet (specifically, the Web) David Lamas & Zahhar Kirillov, TLU, 2011

27. Ubiquitous computing So, although… Ubiquitous computing Pervasive computing Physical computing Ambient intelligence The internet of things …all carry slightly different meaning, they end up being the different aspects of the same phenomenon The fact that nowadays we no longer measure the ICT density in terms of person per computer but rather in terms of computers person David Lamas & Zahhar Kirillov, TLU, 2011

28. Design considerations David Lamas & Zahhar Kirillov, TLU, 2011

29. Design considerations Rapidly evolving technology and changing social patterns have made identifying best ubiquitous computing design practices difficult Ubiquitous computing products are hybrids of hardware, software and services It is still not clear what skills are required to design such products much less what the titles of the people who hold those skills should be David Lamas & Zahhar Kirillov, TLU, 2011

30. Design considerations It is however clear that the following design disciplines do contribute, in some extent, to designing ubiquitous computing products: Identity design Interface design Industrial design Interaction design Service design Information architecture David Lamas & Zahhar Kirillov, TLU, 2011

31. Identity design The identity is what makes the product memorable and unique It is what carries much of the emotional weight of the product and, in some cases, might even rival its functionality David Lamas & Zahhar Kirillov, TLU, 2011

32. Interface design Interface design is the design of a single mode of functionality This could be a single screen in a software (or web) application or may be the way a single function works in a device Interface design hence emphasizes aspects such as task flow, feedback and consistency over other aspects of the overall design David Lamas & Zahhar Kirillov, TLU, 2011

33. Industrial design Ubiquitous computing products are, for the most part, physical objects Unlike software, they have shape, texture, color, weight, temperature, and buttons, and dials and displays For instance, an ATM requires specialized controls and these controls must match the ergonomic requirements, the capabilities of construction materials, the heat and power properties of the device, etc… David Lamas & Zahhar Kirillov, TLU, 2011

34. Interaction design When using a device or environment, people need to understand how to accomplish their goals They need to know what choices are available and how to make them Interaction design determines how the various user interfaces fit and flow together as a whole David Lamas & Zahhar Kirillov, TLU, 2011

35. Information design Much interaction design focus on getting input into a device but output is just as important Information designers visually organize and prioritize representations of information to match people’s needs and maximize clarity David Lamas & Zahhar Kirillov, TLU, 2011

36. Service design From a business perspective, service design unifies the way users interact with an organization to create a consistent set of methods to relate to a company From the user perspective, service design creates the tools that people use to access a service in concert with designing the service itself In other words… Rather than treating tools as individual consumer facing products and the service itself as a purely internal project, service design treats them as different facets of the same thing thus promoting consistancy David Lamas & Zahhar Kirillov, TLU, 2011

37. Information architecture Every information and navigation task requires an information architecture that matches users’ needs, expectations, and understanding David Lamas & Zahhar Kirillov, TLU, 2011

38. Back to design considerations When designing ubiquitous computing devices the frame is no longer the chrome around a browser window The frame is the world In this sense, designing an ubiquitous computing product today is designing probably something for the first time And designing something for the first time requires special attention to the social and cultural environment in which these products will be used David Lamas & Zahhar Kirillov, TLU, 2011

39. Interaction metaphors As said before… Designing new technologies with unfamiliar interactions is a constant challenge in ubiquitous computing. How can an object that may not be obviously computational communicate its capabilities without requiring enormous amounts of external documentation or training? Mapping one category of ideas to another is the basis of metaphor which have long been part of how we think about design David Lamas & Zahhar Kirillov, TLU, 2011

40. Information as a material Finally, it is worth considering the implications of thinking of information as a material In this case: Information processing no longer needs to be the purpose of an object, but one of the many qualities that enables it to be useful and desirable in ways that are more directly related to people’s wants and needs David Lamas & Zahhar Kirillov, TLU, 2011

41. Information as a material Once information is considered a design material, it becomes possible to ask a new range of questions about it: What are the properties of information as a design material? How can information processing be used by designers? How well is information processing used today?Can better use be made of it? Will adding information processing create a better functional experience? A better esthetic experience? David Lamas & Zahhar Kirillov, TLU, 2011

42. Review Alternative approaches Ubiquitous computing Design considerations David Lamas & Zahhar Kirillov, TLU, 2011