Sunday at the Korean Grill House

Monse, Behrad, Lexa, Mandana

Lexa took this picture!

Johann, Farzad, Curtis- Korean Grill House

i know its not with our map...long story

i-LIMB mechanical hand- replacement for damaged human hand

When I first saw this posting I thought it is just a device that goes around the arm, but when I watched the video I figured it’s a mechanical hand that replaces the human hand. The guy in the video, Evan Reynolds, had a car accident and lost his hand. The doctors then replaced his hand with the i-LIMB. A Scottish company, Touch Bionic, developed i-LIMB. This device costs about £ 30,000 (installation included), and Time Magazine chose it as the top 50 innovations of 2008. i-LIMB is a very functional, it is simple to use, aesthetically it looks just like a regular human hand. The only downside to this device is the fact that it runs on batteries and has to be recharged for full performance.

One of the most important features of this product is the fact that it allows people to do the things one with two hands can do, such as the ability to hold stuff. In terms of accessibility, this product is going to be available for the public, however because it is kind of expensive not everyone can afford it unless it is covered by public health system. Overall this product is very useful and I think over the next few years with further research this is going to be the only solution for people who need to replace their hand.

The information about this product was taken from http://www.engadget.com/

Honda ASIMO human like robot

This video is about a conductor robot, which is produced by Honda Company but it is not in the market for people to buy yet. Actually, it has the ability to conduct an orchestra. When I saw it at the first time, I thought it is a cool and incredible product because it could do human actions, but when I thought about it more, I realized some points. First of all this product is going to be expensive, so it would not be available for everybody. Also, the population of the world is growing really fast and with growing the population, product of these robots are going to grow up as well. As a result, lots of these robots will be replaced by people so there is going to be lots of jobless people who are replaced with robots. If you see the movie wall-E there are lots of fat people who are using chairs, which act like robots and do whatever the users tell them. Those chairs do everything for them. The only thing that they do is sitting on a chair and eating as much as they can. This product reminds me that movie. Overall , the structure fpr the robot is fine and it seems that everybody could feel comfortable with that.

I got the information form youtube.

Korean Grill House

This map was orginally created in WORD and we had difficulty uploading onto the blog. As pictures were taken of the print out version the quality of the image could be better. We can present via jumpstick once in class.

Our apologies,
Roz, Alyssa, & Lorene

Indian Flavour - Buffet Experience

Mapping an Experience - Korean BBQ

By Johann, Farzad, and Curtis

Playstation Home

Playstation 3 Home GDC 2007

E3 - Xbox 360 "Avatars" (spoof) (Comparing the Xbox 360 avatars to PS3 and what separates PS3 from the other systems)


Being a new owner of a PS3 I was quick to test out the capabilities and take advantage of all the features this system provided. I recently discovered a program on my Playstation 3 called Home. To give you a brief idea, it’s a virtual version of the real world but with out responsibilities like work and house cleaning . Its a very strong mix between the Sims and MSN, which both appeal to me but I’ll let the video explain more.

Home is a free community-based service developed by Sony Computer Entertainment for the PlayStation 3 on the PlayStation Network. Home was in development since early 2005 and was recently released in beta to the public in December 2008. Home allows users to create realistic avitars that are fully costomizeable form the avitars facial features to its cloths. When the user logs in they automatically go to their “home.” All avitars have their own waterfront appartment which they can fully customize to their liking by adding accessories and furniture which they can buy at the mall. The basics; wonder around in the Playstation world and interact with the environment and people.

The program is very fun and reolutionary in terms of its communicational aspects. The whole idea of creating an avitar and and living a separte life is nothing new but when you make it a free roaming online experience where you are conversing and experiencing people from all over the world in real time the experience becomes exhillerating and more than enjoyable. Being able to converse, play games, and share content with any one on the server makes socializing and networking alot faster and takes gaming to another level. Unfortuneatly the program is only accessable to those who have a PS3 with a working internet connection. But! To those with a network connected PS3 the program is very easy use its also very visually appealing and truely reflects what next gen systems have to offer. Its inviting visuals and apealing interface is what sets it appart from the other virtual online worlds offerd by the other next gen systems. Its asthetics and easy to use interface allows any one to pick up the controller and play, there are preset avitars for people who want to get right in game, and features which enables you, to make an avitar that looks exactly like you! The avitars have preset phrases actions and sounds, but again you have the option to say what you want. The simplisity of the interface and over all controlls mixed with the vast capabilities and options available make Home it not only appealing to more experianced gamers but also to people new to gaming in general, and would deffinatley apply to Okham’s Razor. In terms of Performance and Preference it works well and doesn’t lag, but that also depends on your internet service. It’s free, and it is rediculously detailed. I think Home has set a new bar for this genre of gaming, and provides all the features that gamers of this genre have been wishing for ever since the first Sims game was released. The only downfall is of course is the only way to access home is to own a PS3, and its not exactly a cheap system, but with that said for the money you pay you getting a product that is more than worth it.

You Rock Guitar

Video games can be a fun and exciting way to communicate with and relate to others. Interactive video games are growing with popularity because they offer the user an experience, for example Rock Band simulates the experience of playing in a band or being a rock star. The You Rock Guitar with Multi-Touch Technology is functional as both playable guitar and interactive game controller. This product is desirable for anyone who enjoys music or playing video games or both (like me). I was attracted to the You Rock Guitar because it combines two deferent but relatable interests into one sleek design. A more realistic gaming experience and increased usability are also very desirable.

This guitar is accessible to all major game systems and popular games such a Guitar Hero. The games are made in a range of difficulties for increased operability, perceptibility, and error forgiveness. The You Rock Guitar adheres to the concept of Ockham’s razor. The guitar’s simple but elegant form is lightweight and easily transportable. Its looks, sounds, and feels like a real guitar with everything you need inside of it. You Rock Guitar can generate its own sound, it can connect to a variety of applications, and it never has to be tuned.

The You Rock Guitar has an aesthetic advantage over other guitar controllers. The technologically enhanced guitar has an invisible, touch sensitive, fret instead of coloured game buttons. The more realistic body and form of the guitar is another pleasing improvement. The aesthetic-usability effect makes this more appealing design seem easier and more enjoyable to use. The You Rock Guitar is also more interactive and versatile than its counterparts creating a positive and more personal relationship with the user.

The You Rock Guitar is a design of preference. It is easy to use and enjoyable for everyone whether it increases performance or not. The overall aesthetically pleasing but simple design and it variety of uses make it a unique option for play and practice.
http://www.ezgear.com/GS/YouRockGuitar.html

Trispecs: Sterio Fashion Eyewear

On my way to school there have been two things I’ve always wished for other than wishing that I had done my homework; first to be able to listen to music without having to tie myself up with wires. And second to be able to take out my cell phone or my iPod out of my pockets without having to take my gloves off in the freezing cold. But now, with the Trispecs wireless phone/earphones/sunglasses, I get two of my wishes granted in one, so in case I found a Genie lamp on the way to school, I get an extra wish other than wishing I had done my homework.

There really isn’t much else to say about these cool sunglasses other than their experience design. Perhaps the first term that comes to mind with these cool glasses is accessibility since it makes the phone, the music controls, the sound source, and of course, the sunglasses accessible all in one item.

It is easy and simple to operate because it has only the most basic controls, some of which do multiple functions. These keys include volume control for phone and the music, the controls for music player, and the “OneTouch” button which both answers and makes calls. And in terms of forgiveness, with so few controls, it doesn’t really leave much space for the user to make errors.

All these simple controls help create a positive user experience. For example, the volume function could have been made with the old fashioned scrolling form, but they used separate buttons because if someone is wearing gloves they don’t want to accidentally turn the scroll while pushing a button near it.

To demonstrate the efficiency and elements of Ockham’s Razor in this device, I should point out to the “power button”. There actually is no power button anywhere on this device since the designers have tried to minimize the number of buttons with so many functions to be controlled. How it works is, if you pull any of the earplugs out of their hidden position, the device turns on. And in order to turn it off, you can push it back to its hidden position.

The sunglasses don’t have much aesthetics. Apart from the fact that the huge glasses just aren’t my style, the device doesn’t allow the user to become attached to it since it has no customization features and it only comes in the colour black.

In terms of Performance vs. Preference, The Bluetooth technology has been around for a while now and I find it very useful. However many people still prefer to tick to the wires, or maybe the wires have a way of sticking to people which is why I hate them. This is most likely because most Bluetooth operated devices need charging every day, and also the technology is still expensive especially when compared with wires.

Overall, considering that the Trispecs are estimated to cost only about $200, they show how technology is becoming more and more accessible and easy to use day by day.

E-Ball Tiny Round Futuristic PC

First of all, I attracted by E-Ball because it claimed itself as the smallest PC computer. E-Ball is designed by Apostol Tnokovski. He designed E-Ball with a completely new PC concept, which comes in a round shaped. This 6-inch orb-shaped PC called the E-Ball. It also touted as the smallest PC ever made. From an aesthetic point of view, the idea of the smallest PC and the ball shape with cool colour cover, this product is quiet successful.

E-Ball makes keyboard and screen become the unnecessary elements. It comes equipped with projected keyboard and display. It uses an IR sensor to recognize where your fingers are typing. Given laser keyboards haven’t had exactly glowing reviews, thanks to the eventual pain suffered after you bang your fingertips on a desk for any length of time, this is probably more of an occasional-use PC rather than something you’d be replacing your desktop with. However, it truly reduces the room that the screen and the keyboard are going to take.

E-Ball also features a dual core processor, a 250 to 500GB HDD, 2GB of RAM, integrated graphic card and sound card, 2 x 50W speakers, HD-DVD recorder, wireless optical mouse and laser keyboard, LAN and WLAN card, modem, webcam and an integrated LCD projector.

Photo and information cites: http://www.toysgadget.com/e-ball-tiny-round-futuristic-pc/computers/zh_TW/

"WashUp"

This is recent conceptual design created in Turkey for the Greener Gadgets competition in 2008. The name given to this wonderful invention is "WashUp" , denomination given as a result of its function. This design has the concept of a toilet and washing machine linked in order to form a toilette-flush that has as main purpose reduce amount of space placing two usable daily life machines into one. It suggests a sustainable water consumption by storing the wasted water in toilette-flush tank and reuse it with flushing. Since the world is already facing water problems , this sort of inventions are the only ones that would allow us to have proper lives if the natural resources keep on being exploited as drastically as they have been now. We have to start reducing space, resources and amount of time we spend doing things in order to be prepare for the future world we will be facing.

Circa

Circa, the 4 storey nightclub at John and Richmond in downtown Toronto, is not only the largest club in the city, but also well designed, entertaining experience.

To start with, acessing the club is easy and efficient, with an indoor line-up area (very pleasent during the winter) with several payment booths to keep the line running smoothly. Once you enter the club, you're taken directly into the main room, where there's a stage for the main DJ or other artist of the night. To get to other rooms simply requires taking the nearby escalator, or moving to the back where there's an elevator.

Circa dosen't stop the experience at efficiency, the main attraction is discovering the various themed rooms in the complex. These smaller rooms provide more intimate areas within the complex which has a capacity in the thousands. Each room has a unique motif (all fitting in with the general cool, fun aesthetic) and enjoyable features, such: as the Skyy Cinema Lounge, where clubbers can lounge on the sleek black and white couches while viewing videos; the washroom bar, a tiled space which feature a toilet shaped bar, and a dentist's chair which by nature encourages visitors to sit in it, and often pose with it for pictures; and also the sensacell bar, which is a futuristic space lit in warm tones, featuring a bar which responds to touch by lighting up taking interactivity to the next level (video posted.)

All of this goes to show why Circa's been said to "put the 'art' back in 'party', and why it continues to draw crowds in the thousands weekend after weekend.

The Sensa bar:

[Taken from www.youtube.com]

A guest posing in the Washroom Bar's Dentist Chair:

[Taken from www.flickr.com]

Circa's website:
http://www.circatoronto.com/

Smartfish Pro:Motion Keyboard

One of the biggest problems with the physical design of computers these days are the keyboards. The layout is largely the same, save for the orientation of keys or a differing symbol, on almost every single computer or laptop produced now-a-days. Anyone who has ever spent an extended period of time at a computer will be well aware of the strain on your hands and wrists. There are many ergonomic keyboards out there but the Motion Keyboard by Smartfish Pro is the only one on the market that continuously adapts and changes to suit the specific needs of the user. Using an internal motor, the keyboard gradually shifts throughout the day lowering the risk of repetitive stress injuries.

It is already a very familiar object. Anyone who has ever used a standard keyboard can use this one and it is better suited for people with disabilities because it adjusts itself for the users specific needs. It still functions as a standard keyboard would so it is very simple to use. The design is not too far off from a standard keyboard either, which in accordance with the aesthetic-usability effect, people will be able to deal as the keyboard design is so universally accepted already. The keyboard is such a tangible object that people can connect with it very easily and have little to no problems with it, even problems such as sticky keys. 

This product seems so useful; being able to spend a day (or night) working on a project on the computer and not having to deal with hand cramps would be such a relief and would help to clear up future medical problems related to this such as carpal tunnel syndrome.

Via Engadget

Sook Bringing Social Networking To The Kitcchen

Cooking without borders, a new and innovative way to spice up the kitchen, the Sook does just that. Created in 2008 by Adam Brodowski, a design student in Georgia at Savannah College, for the Electrolux design lab competition. The Sook is a wireless kitchen assistant that essential displays and shares recipes through networking over the internet. What first attracted me to this design was the beauty in its simplicity, and the aesthetic-usability is really enhanced by this. It's clean cut lines, and crisp black colour attract the consumer far before they know what the product is, already setting them for the state of mind that they will like this product. The accessibility comes from the fact that it is connecting people through the net, and by default making it available to many people, although not all. I also like the fact that the Ockham's Razor concept can be applied in the sense that all features of the product will be used, and there are no unneeded components, it is precise and to the point. Performance vs preference are a two for one deal with this concept because the whole purpose is to aid in the kitchen, you can use it to make a chef out of anyone, and to make a good chef even better. over all it leaves the consumer with a positive cooking experience, and its easy on the eyes, which is something that most people can appreciate.

Photo credits.
http://www.motherinc.com.au/magazine/frontpage/904-frontpage/471-amazing-design
http://www.yankodesign.com/2008/09/19/make-dinning-delicacies-with-ease/

PlayStation 3

The PlayStation 3 (PS3 hereafter) is a video game console and media center created to succeed the PlayStation 2. I became interested in it because I love video games and look at the latest information and news happening within the gaming industry. I followed it's development and wanted one so I could play (and be inspired by) the latest videogames as well as play online with my friends as we went our separate ways studying in different places for our post-secondary education.

The PS3 has a sleek, black, elegant design for it's exterior, and a user-friendly interface called the XMB. This follows Ockham's Razor in that they chose a simple design and opted to decrease as many unnecessary elements in the product. In terms of the Aesthetic-Usability Effect, the PS3 is designed to be easy to use and implements a controller with a design identical to the PS2 controller. The reason why? People preferred the old controller design rather than accepting a new design. This choice reflects Performance vs. Preference in that the new controller designed to be optimally effective to a gamer was rejected by gamers in favour of the old design of the PS2 controller.

Video games are not just extremely fun, but are inspiring to me. The union between the story, sound/music, characters, design elements, and the gameplay mechanics in a game become ingrained in your memory when you play a great game. This makes the User Experience very special because you are not just interacting with the PS3, but also with the games you play, videos watched, music listened to, and friends interacted with - making the experience as unique as the people who play. Designed to be highly Accessible, apart from playing games, it plays Blu-ray movies, comes with wireless Internet connectivity in mind, has multimedia capabilities, and offers a free PlayStation Network account, which can be used to access the online store, chat with friends, play online games for free, access Home (a social gaming community), and other, more unexpected things such as Stanford University's Folding@Home project, which lets the PS3 system help research diseases by understanding protein folding and unfolding and how they are related to diseases and cancer. It also is updated once in a while, meaning that new features are implemented to improve the consumer experience with the product. The newest feature I have learned they may add in the future is implementation of stereoscopic 3D in watching videos and gaming.

It fulfills people like me because it eases people's stress and is fun to use. When you turn it on, you enter a zone of tranquility, excitement, and anticipation. You can watch a movie, play games, surf the net, or chat with friends. It also lets you 'become' someone else - a racer, soldier, fighter, monster, or some unsuspecting hero that embarks on an epic quest - it is truly an immersive experience with the right game. This also creates great things to discuss with other gamers. What was your favourite moment? What did you think of the issues and messages raised? What's the best way to beat this boss? How do I... and the list goes on. It creates some pretty memorable moments with friends too (mostly hilarious) from playing offline or online in multiplayer games. 

The PS3 has improved greatly from it's predecessor, the PS2. Some notable features are the implementation of the PlayStation Network, wireless controllers (the PS2's wired controllers were prone to break due to damaged wires), media center features, and graphics. There are a few minor things that could be changed or implemented, such as how I cannot delete my received/sent messages all at once or how it is a bit of a hassle to send a message to a friend while playing, but the major things I would like to see on the PS3 are planned to come in the future. I am extremely satisfied with the product in how it provides me an entertaining, fun, and memorable way to communicate with my friends and other gamers.

Information from:

http://www.us.playstation.com/

 Image from:

http://gadgeteer.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2007/12/sony_ps3.jpg