Summary: What is the true significance of the iPad? A ’solution in search of a problem’ or a ‘revolution in a tablet’? An analysis of Apple’s strategy and business model, as it relates to digital publishing and the dangers for telcos. (February 2010) Source. After months of fevered speculation, the launch of the iPad was always going to struggle to live up to expectations. Press reviews have been mixed with biggest question being “Do I really need one?” This note examines the impact for the players across the Telecommunications, Media & Technology landscape.

Executive summary;

The Sense concept designed by CD&I Associates is a wireless device that will, it’s claimed, offer a “more emotional connection between users and experiences” through touch and smell. It aims to give users haptic, thermal and olfactory sensations while playing games, watching movies and shopping online via a tactile hand sheath and flavor-ink printed output.

Its creators, CD&I Associates, ask that we imagine a future where experiences like shopping, gaming and watching media are enhanced by a wireless sensory aid - allowing us to smell, taste or touch virtually represented items on a computer or TV screen.

The Sense concept is CD&I Associates’ contribution to the 13 visions of the future for the French Alliance’s La Fin Du Design exhibition. It is proposed that the device incorporates a tactile, heated sheath in which the user places a hand. The system would then stimulate nerve receptors in the hand to recreate the pressure, temperature, roughness, softness, or hardness properties of an object being viewed on a device with which Sense has been wirelessly linked. The system might also be used to help the blind read on-screen text by converting it into braille and feeding it to the user via the sheath or converting it to speech and output through onboard speakers.

Sense will also feature six flavor cartridges which will mimic basic flavor types such as bitterness, sweetness, saltiness and so on. It’s proposed that seven additional wax cartridges will feature micro emanators to reproduce different types of smell. Responding to device input, cartridges are suitably mixed and a small object-oriented taste and smell sheet is then printed. This not only magnifies and expels carefully mixed scent but when placed on the roof of the mouth will dissolve and release an appropriate taste sensation.

Touchscreen technology will complement any information given on the display of a linked device and allow the user control over Sense’s functionality. CD&I Associates also sees new sensory applications being made available for download to update and improve the usefulness of the product. Of course, being a concept, actual technical details are scant but it will no doubt take full advantage of whatever technical advances have been made by the time any talk of production has begun.

At first glance it may be tempting just to dismiss CD&I Associates’ vision of sensory interaction with virtual objects as being beyond the reach of current technology but if such things as machines powered by bacteria or the 3D bio printer Gizmag featured recently were proposed only a few years ago, would it be fair to say that utter disbelief would be high among the reactions on offer? One to watch, perhaps? Source Gizmag

“My wish is for you to have a strong, sustainable movement to educate every child about food, to inspire families to cook again and to empower people everywhere to fight obesity”, according to Jamie Oliver. Jamie received a standing ovation at Ted’s conference.

Interesting collection/publication on a co creative basis. Osterwalder sketches actually a frame work where he compares Pharma, Telco’s and the Car industry, how they make money. Is more a strategic framework.

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/isoft-health

the Smart eXPerience living lab (SmartXP) is putting ubiquitous technology on a pedestal in a theatre-like setting. SmartXP provides students, researchers, and other professionals the opportunity to experience technology in realistic settings. Here technology meets technology, technology meets humans and humans meet technology, which are all necessary requirements to reach the ubiquitous systems vision. In this vivid environment we encourage people to give constructive extra disciplinary reviews. We feel that the interactive design of SmartXP is a source of inspiration for innovation and the creative use of ubiquitous systems.

Creative application and development of technology is one essential ingredient of ubiquitous computing which however requires in-depth access to the relevant technologies that goes beyond a mere literature study or an occasional cooperation. Ubiquitous computing research often leads to prototypes that however cannot be evaluated without medium to large scale trials in a realistic setting. The cost of such trials is generally too high to be borne by a single project. CTIT and the faculty EEMCS are establishing the Smart eXPerience living lab (SmartXP) environment as an open resource and show-case facility for ubiquitous technology in realistic settings.

Our colleague Ronnie Overgoor had a very open interview with Duncan Stutterheim.Watch. Duncan will be one of the Key Note Speakers at our international executive course 18-23 April.