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Implementing the Future
It is amazing that what used to be science fiction is now pretty much reality. The inventions have already been made, the innovative ideas have been put forward, the technology is more than capable, and the cost is not a problem either. So what is the problem? Why don't we yet live in the sci-fi future we dream of?»
Usability of Codes
Today I received a letter from my insurance company. They asked me if they could get my approval for sharing my insurance data between the companies in the insurance group. This is a quite common request, as it is illegal to share financial data without approval (in this country). »
Know what you are doing!
If you give me two glasses of good red wine, I will probably be able to tell them apart - and I will certainly be able to tell which one I like the most. But that doesn't make me a wine connoisseur. While I can tell which one I personally like, I cannot tell you which one is actually the best one. To do that, I need experience.»
That Darn User Experience is Wrecking My Usability
Back in 2006 I wrote the article "The Battle between Usability and User-Experience", where I illustrated that usability and user experience are two different things. Since then, I think, the problem has grown in proportion. »
Finally a Useful Online Backup Solution
Online backup has, so far, been a joke. Most online backup solutions either limit your space to a couple of gigabytes, and if you need more (like everyone does) it costs a gazillion dollars. But, now HP has released Upline.»
The Right Kind of Efficiency
I often write about efficiency because it is the most important element in creating a great user experience. But efficiency is not just about getting things done, or doing something as fast as possible. Efficiency is really about optimizing the user experience. »
Simplicity Rarely Means Less
There has always been a lot of talk about simplicity. "Make it simple" is a very common approach to creating better products. But, unfortunately a lot of people think that you can achieve simplicity by removing features and creating less. This is rarely the case.»
Web Trends 2008 for Web Developers
It is 2008 and time for my annual look into the foggy future of the thing we call "the web"»
Three Pillars of Usability
Creating a usable product is one of the most important things you can do. Where would Apple's iPhone be if it wasn't because it was so damn usable? But many products have a kind of hit-and-miss approach. There is no overall plan; usability is done in areas that seem right at any given moment. »
The Climate Project
As you might have noticed this site has gone green - at least for the duration of this month. The purpose is to raise awareness to the "planet crisis", more specifically that we need to do something to prevent global warming. »
Is the Web ready for HD video?
Adobe has pre-released a new version of the Flash 9 Player which includes support for HD quality video including hardware acceleration. This is big news for video on the Web but how close are we really to HD in our browsers? The short answer is... not that close. »
A Question of Privacy
The question of online privacy is a very hot topic. Many people have an opinion, many companies talk about it - but few really protect your privacy. »
Lying is Not a Good Strategy
I was recently pointed towards NSyndrome - a viral campaign for the new Nokia N95. »
Design Makes a Difference
Bloomberg is undoubtedly one of the biggest players in the financial industry offering a wide range of products for people in and around Wall Street. One of their products is the Bloomberg Terminal. It is a 17" dual screen setup that displays the financial information from Bloomberg Profession Services - all in one tightly packed system.»
The Usability of Passwords
Security companies and IT people constantly tells us that we should use complex and difficult passwords. This is bad advice, because you can actually make usable, easy to remember and highly secure passwords. In fact, usable passwords are often far better than complex ones. »
Ugly Websites Stink
Gerry McGovern recently wrote that the best websites are the ugly ones - he is wrong. Only cheap companies can have ugly websites.»
Usable Graphs are Inaccurate Graphs
Making usable graphs is not as simple as it sounds because usable graphs are highly rich on detail, while showing a general trend. But, adding too much detail will make it hard to read, and you see the wrong trends if you don't.»
Future Trends
The Future of the Browser
Mozilla Labs is asking us for help determining how we are going to use the browser in the future. Aza Raskin came out with his vision about a month ago, and now Adaptive Path has made theirs.»
High-res Video using Still Photos
Researchers from University of Washington have developed a technique to drastically enhance video clips using high-res photos taken of the same scene. »
Augmented Reality Navigation
Robert Winter (and colleagues) has looked at how the next generation GPS's could work on devises such as the iPhone 3G. And it has a number of nice features to it.»
Interactive Water
Water is a very common thing, and not surprisingly it is also the subject of many interactive experiments. Here are some of them. »
Do-It-Yourself Multi-touch kit
Have you ever wanted to have your very own multi-touch table? So far this has been an extremely expensive endeavor, but now you can get a "do-it-yourself" multi-touch kit. »
Firefox Mobile Concept
Aza Raskin, the user experience chief of Mozilla Labs, have published a video about how he envisions Firefox on a mobile phone equipped with a touch screen.»
Opel Eye - Anti-speeding Technology
Opel is introducing a new safety technology that reads the traffic signs and displays them on your instrument panel in your car. »
Future of Interaction in Gaming
We were all amazed when the Wii controller came onto the market. The ability to swing a virtual tennis racket, play golf or bowling similar to the way we do it in real life was quite spectacular. But a company called Softkinetic has taken this a step further. Now you don't need a controller at all.»
FlixFlex Interaction
This interaction concept by Chris Woebken explores how we can interact by flipping, wrenching or bending the screen - as opposed to using multi-touch or keypads.»
Direct Manipulation in Videos
A group of people from Toronto University have come up with an ingenious way to manipulate videos. Traditionally this is done using some kind of "bar", but what if you could simply drag each element right in the video itself. »
Tennis in 2083
Lacoste is celebrating their 75th anniversary with a look another 75 years into the future - or to be more precise - a look at what the game of tennis will be like in 2083.»
Flickr Video
Flickr has finally opened up for the one thing that, in my opinion, was holding it back - video. »
Photoshop Express Online - it's here!
About a year ago I was told that Adobe was going to create an online version of Photoshop - and that was big news. It is relatively easy to create an online mail application (it is just text), but an online version of Photoshop? That would be a spectacular example of advanced application design. »
IE8 Beta is Out
Internet Explorer 8 (beta) is now available for download, and as I predicted in my web trends "the web community will love it - nobody else will notice any difference."»
Introducing Boom! - The Intelligent Search Assistant
Regular readers know that I always advocate efficiency, and this is definitely no exception. I give you Boom! - a much faster way to search the web. »
Design Inspiration
Paper Collage
Niall McClelland has created these interesting collages. Most collages are usually just a mess of images slapped on to a surface, but these are different with its empty spaces and geometric angles. »
Kling Handbags
Here is a nice collection of handbags from designer Natasha Kimling Kwan. The handbags look and feel like they are made of leather, but it is merely polyurethane (no animals were harmed or even sneezed at).»
Luau Portable Lamp
I really like the Luau portable lamp from Vessel. It looks great and the best part is that you can bring it with you. »
Slice
Graypants has created this beautiful chair, where the footstool can slide out from underneath the chair. It is a rather ingenious design that looks good at any configuration. »
Emergency Chocolate
There are many different kinds of emergencies, but I really like to experience one like this. »
Kinetic Sculpture at BMW Museum
There a lot of interesting things going on at BMW's Museum. You might remember the BMW GINA concept car. But what about this cool kinetic sculpture (watch the videos)?»
HTC Touch Diamond
I just bought the new HTC Touch Diamond mobile phone and it is as good as the iPhone (if not better).»
Bike Helmets for City Dwellers
In the past, bicycle helmets made you look like you were wearing a big sponge on top of your head. Today that are all pretty well designed. Most helmets though have a very sporty look, like these from Giro. And while they are certainly cool, it doesn't really fit well with the city-dwellers. »
Museum of Middle Eastern Modern Art
This is probably the most expensive museum of modern art in the world, at least if you look at the production costs. And like many other architectural masterpieces this one is going to be located in Dubai.»
The Art of Wall-e
Today is the day when you get to see Wall-e (at least in some parts of the world). But one thing is the movie, which I am sure is absolutely spectacular, but what about the art the goes into making it? I am of course referring to the book - "The Art of Wall-e".»
Toyota IQ - Wrapped
I am not really into small cars, but there is something special about Toyota's new concept car - the Toyota IQ. But you know if I were ever to buy one of these it would need some special paintjob (or a wrap). »
Plankton Invasion
Do you know the real cause of Global Warming? I mean, besides us humans trying to wreck the planet. It turns out that a small group of sea creatures have decided to flood the planet. The most effective way to do that is to raise the temperature so that the polar ice melts - at least according to these funny (and very well made) animations from Plankton Invasion.»
Shoes with Custom Prints
Have you ever wanted to get a pair of shoes with a special and unique design, maybe even with a design you have made all by yourself? Well, the Swedish company "Look Down" will make you a pair of shoes with your design on them for roughly 200-500 EUR. »
BMW GINA - Design Feature
BMW has created a new concept car, and it is unlike anything you have ever seen before. It is a shape-shifter, has a textile skin, and it challenges our perception of what a car should look like.»