Example 6: Microsoft Kin

A new product from Microsoft specifically focused on the social media enabled youth. With an intensively graphic UI, aggregating numerous social media channels, the Kin is a sharp contrast in both design and function to Apple's iPhone.  A MySpace-esk website serves as the desktop version of the UI.

Pros

• Intriguing and unusual shape (the smaller dubbed "turtle"), counter to popular minimalist design
• Secondary/supplementary "dashboard" function via home computing allows for greater control and customization of Kin UI and content
• Ergonomically crafted for rapid "thumb" navigation and input
• Enabled sharing on multiple channels through a single interface (single app instead of many)
• Encouraging and empowering community building

Cons

• Limited market and focus; not applicable to professional/business marketplace
• Potentially founded on past social media trends; category which has not yet been defined and constantly evolving
• Also considered a "fad" product, developed specifically to accomodate the latest tech trend. Little to no future-planning.
• Secondary, physical keyboard still required for text entry (unlike other popular devices with virtual keyboards)

Example 5: Siemens Snaked (concept)

The result of a previous design competition, the above concept takes wearable consumer electronics a little further then the last.  Developed to "snake" around the fore-arm or upper-arm, this phone becomes an integrated part of the consumers out-fit.  Basing comments upon visuals, which do not include how a head-set/speaker/microphone and other necessary functions (dial pad) are integrated, the concept appears to primarily be reliant upon a minimalistic, futuristic, fashion orientated design.

Pros

• Clean and attractive design, though subject to fashion (current clothing)
• Hands-free, non-bag, holster alternative - potential sports application
• Suggestive of music features (mp3 player)
• Strong concept of making every-day products part of your attire

Cons

• Lacking visual functionality and poor mapping, though this may be hidden
• Shape suggests difficult of application (wrapping around arm with one-hand)

Example 5: Segway

The Segway was one of the first main stream solutions that captured the imagination of the public globally. But, although recognized as an iconic and head-turning product, Segway has yet to fully penetrate the commuter market. Pricing, local traffic laws and recent "keep-fit" trends have kept the vehicle predominately grounded in the business realm. Still, the Segway represents an excellent use of intuitive accelerometer technology, through a clean and desirable design.

Pros

• Robust construct and ergonomic design
• Intuitive accelerometer technology to assist balance and drive
• Successful manufactured and proven business history (armed forces, security, delivery, x-games)
• Small footprint, with rugged terrain potential
• Electric

Cons

• Deemed unfit for pedestrian walkways - illegal in many western countries
• Associated with promoting the "lazy" society concept
• Incredibly pricey.  Comparable with low-cost road vehicles ($7,000+)

Example 4: OLED screens (inspiration)

Though OLED's have been around for a while, production costs for even the smallest use has kept the technology away from consumer electronics. However, recently both Samsung and Sony released footage of OLED screens that for all intensive purposes are hair-thin, malleable and approximately the size of a large mobile phone. With clear indications of lowering production costs, it will not be long before we witness a new era of hand-held products and UI designs based on this technology.

Example 4: Toyota I-Swing

The successor to Toyota's I-Swing, the I-Real was showcased in 2007 as a social media enabled, urban, personal transportation vehicle; features include parameter/collision sensors, light, sound and vibration announcements, and two modes of transport (pedestrian and road-going). As a three wheeler, the single rear wheel extends and contracts allowing faster or slower speeds, and greater or less stability respectively.

Pros

• Familiar "driving" position
• Two modes allow for greater flexibility; road for increased speed, pedestrian for smaller footprint and higher seating position (eye-level)
• Communicates directly with other I-Reals in the vicinity - encourages community use
• Hands-free/ single-hand control
• Electric

Cons

• Similarities and connotations with wheel chairs
• Impacted by weather conditions
• Presumed expense and longevity for a technology heavy product (over-engineered?)
• Relatively large and bulky foot-print

Example 3: Samsung Brix (concept)

As a single piece, the Samsung Brix concept has similar characteristic to other UI driven designs -  a minimalist design, with a full-frame screen encompassing the entire surface of one side.  However, the unique feature of this phone is its ability to combine with other Brix phones/attachments, to grow the screen size - providing a better platform for visual media.

Pros

• "Frameless" design for complete picture
• Introduces new social side to mobile phones - sharing of the physical object
• Multiple configurations and roles (screen and remote control)

Cons

• Feasibility of combining with other phones/attachments
• Audio challenges (quality? speakers/out synchronized? multiple head phones for more then 1 user?)
• Issues of convenience for requiring more then 1 device (charging, carrying, purchasing)

Example 3: Xcite Bike

Orientated more for extreme sports, the Xcite Bike provides an innovative solution to personalized transportation. Labeled a "foot-scooter", the petrol powered, 49cc bike has a top speed of 45km-h, and an hour of run-time on 0.9 litres of fuel.  Further development might see an electric version, and the removal of the hand-cable throttle and brake control.

Pros

• Range not limited to battery life
• Superior ground clearance and power for rough terrain/off-road
• Elevated body position, with low centre of gravity for stability at speed
• Compact design

Cons

• Noisy, petrol engine with a maintenance requirement
• Appearance and design intent limits market to extreme sports

Example 2: Sony Rolly (inspiration)

Energetic, playful product created by Sony in 2007; Rolly's sole purpose is to bring colour, movement and life to sound. Advanced sound editing software translates the audio data into a series of actions, through a combination of "ear waggle", rolling motion and lights. Furthermore, several Rolly's can be synchronized to perform choreographed pieces!

Potentially, this kind of "life" may have a place with something as static as a mobile phone.

Example 2: Honda UX-3

Wonderful personal vehicle embodying complete 360 movement - the ability to travel at any degree upon one plane.

Pros

• Unisex appeal with anamorphic similarities (hourglass shape)
• Accelerometer/gyro controlled movements for "hands-free" control
• Incredibly small and compact, with a tiny footprint, can allow for indoor use
• Light-weight construction - examples illustrate storage within car doors

Cons

• Presumed expense of the product, with limited availability in the near future
• Creative, though questionable sitting mechanism - potentially limiting size/weight
• Louder then expected electric motors
• Stepper then normal learning curve

Example 1: YikeBike

An unusual yet finalized/production solution to personal, urban transportation. Inspired by turn-of-the-century penny farthing bicycles, YikeBike is an ingenious fold-able, light-weight electric bike with a top speed of 15mph - aimed at lowering average commuter carbon emissions, with long-term personal savings on time, transit, and parking.

Pros

• Aesthetically and ergonomically well designed
• Compact folded design and light enough to be carried on shoulder
• Include road safety features (lights)
• Small, comparable foot-print enables use in confined spaces (pavements)

Cons

• Limited market potential due to cost ($4,800 USD )
• Similarities to a regular folding bicycle

Example 1: Bracelet phone (concept)

Literal interpretation of the mobile phone as an accessory - the product embodies a futuristic bracelet that doubles and unfolds as a phone.  Jewelery with a secondary function appears to be the main theme of the product.  Unfortunately the ergonomics of the phone half are forgotten.

Pros:

• Developed aesthetic combination of jewelery vs. phone
• Visual identifiers for phone functions (lit buttons)
• Durable material, uncommon amongst today's examples
• Presumed mapping of unclasping the bracelet, activates "pick-up"

Cons:

• Poor ergonomic understanding of phone form
• Limited functionality of phone product (screen for contact info, caller id etc.)
• Lack of detail for supporting products (charger)
• Limited viability - only for the female market? Subjective aesthetic value as "jewelery"