Thoughts » tokyo

Meeting Points

raphael — Sun, 14 May 2006 08:00:46 +0000

How to solve the “let’s meet at…” and “hey, where are you?”

Tutorial

raphael — Tue, 02 May 2006 18:45:44 +0000

2D barcodes are all the rage in Japan, and they have been for a couple of years; yet a large proportion of potential users do not know how to use the service. While walking around Shimo-Kitazawa, I have noticed the poster below. I like how elegantly the tutorial has been integrated to the ad. Technology company/engineers/designers often neglect to teach users how to interact with their new killer product.

Similarly mobile phones have been widely available for 10+ years, and S60 OS for 5 years or so, yet the Smartphone 360 study shows that people fall into the 20/80 pattern. In order to improve the user experience (and ARPU), Nokia is taking a similar approach than the Japanese advertisers. The Nokia N80 is introducing a Tutorial application which is designed as an interactive guide to help the user familiarize himself with his new phone/applications. Unlike this ad, the application is introduced to the user IMHO at the wrong time – during the first startup; and then buried into Applications>Tools>Tutorial.

Introducing or bringing up to “the surface” at the right time for the user such application or feature is one of unsolved challenge for interaction designers. Since most attempts happened to be very disruptive and annoying (Microsoft/Apple), it may just be impossible.

First impressions

raphael — Mon, 01 May 2006 21:21:00 +0000

Would you vote for these teeth to represent you?

Low-tech navigation techniques

raphael — Fri, 28 Apr 2006 19:30:11 +0000

Paul and Younghee demonstrated to me some pretty impressive GPS/navigation mobile phone software while I was in Tokyo last week – think Google maps in 3D/eye level perspective. Alas my Japanese is pretty limited so I had to rely on other methods while out and about.

Capturing/remembering visual cues

Capture with my Nokia N80 places, signs, street numbers and names, etc. to remember and find again.

Following the herd

The probability to find your destination is pretty good if it is 1) nearby and 2) popular.

Landmarks

Landmarks are whether they are universal ones – Meguro station, Daikaniama tower, Shibuya crossing, etc. or personal ones – where we have bumped into each other last week, John’s house, etc.

Maps

Maps are the universal navigation tool, however it has some serious usability issues. Where I am? What’s the direction ? Where is North on the map ? Where is North anyway ? etc.

Instinct

Well, according to some studies and empirical experiences, you are better off if you are a man. Although, you are better off if you are a woman in case you get lost

Power Sockets

raphael — Sun, 29 Jan 2006 06:17:28 +0000

This is:
a) a minimum service expected by travellers/glomads.
b) a new unexpected and significant cost for infrastructure operators.
c) theft.
d) a design opportunity.
e) all of the above.

HomoAeroportus

raphael — Mon, 23 Jan 2006 04:02:13 +0000

Every time I travel, I encounter the homo-aeroportus: crumpled suit, cheap shoes, carry-on trolley, Targus laptop bag, and a somewhat questionable hygiene after an 11-hour flight.

Airport digital content scanner

raphael — Wed, 11 Jan 2006 06:07:43 +0000

A few days ago, I took a domestic flight from Haneda airport. While going through a relatively light security check, I saw this machine at the check point. Immediately, I went “Oh shit! No way” – a digital content security scanner. A couple years ago in China, Jan Chipchase and I were discussing the implications of a machine that would scan in few seconds hard drives (computer or other devices) for incorporeal illicit, stolen, harmful data. Consequently, it would also scan your personal pictures and files, company secret and confidential documents, etc. Would that machine changes your behaviour and the content on your laptop and music player? Yes. Would that be a new type of privacy invasion? No, since it is the same has having the customs rummaging through your suitcase at the airport. For the past 15 years, people had the liberty to carry around any type of incorporeal data. This will soon end.

False alarm, it is just an aluminum can/plastic bottle scanner.