Custom Gadgets

March 27, 2012

3 Votes

Status: Archived

Promote

Come up with a way to produce mobile devices that are customized to a user's needs.

Problem:
People will increasingly use mobile devices for a variety of use cases, but many of these will be so specialised that existing standard devices will not be ideal for them.

Solution:
Offer a variety of standard device sizes (e.g. equivalent to smartphone - ereader - tablet ...) and let users customize them in terms of

  • display (epaper - cheap LCD - shiny LCD...)
  • input / output (touchscreen? sound?)
  • connectivity (wireless - mobile phone - none at all...)
  • connections (USB - SD card - ...)
  • energy source (what kind of battery? solar cells? crank?)
Create a robust, flexible system to enable users to customize their devices before they buy them. Probably best use an open source operating system (Android/ Linux/ ...).

Examples:
  • Digital camera with built-in 3G to share pictures
  • Smartphone with an e-paper touchscreen
  • low-cost reading device - http://thewikireader.com/ is a nice device, but has been criticised for having a poor screen. Also, if it had solar cells, it would potentially be more useful in developing countries.
  • etc...
In the second step, enable users to customize devices themselves, e.g. by building them in a modular fashion that lets people exchange parts of the device (replace battery, upgrade screen...).

3 Votes | 3 Comments | Report Abuse

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    Comments :
     
  • Mar 30, 2012     Comment Link

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    Compared to the current technologies, what is the compelling reason to have an e-paper touchscreen?

    Longer battery life of course
    ( btw i hate phones that need recharge every 24 h it's scrap for me )
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  • Mar 29, 2012     Comment Link

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    "Smartphone with an e-paper touchscreen"

    Compared to the current technologies, what is the compelling reason to have an e-paper touchscreen?
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  • Mar 27, 2012     Comment Link

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    yes i would like to customize the product that i choice for mine needs,
    in each trifle ^^