With rumblings of watch computing just around the corner, what possible benefits can another computing device/accessory have for the consumer? Although I'm perfectly happy with the current mobile devices available on the market, I have to admit it's an intriguing albeit superfluous product to release these days.
1. Addressing a need. As far back as 2002, I already knew I wanted a tablet. Even before the first generation Amazon Kindle and the debut of the original iPad, I knew I would someday own a device that will allow me to read years of notes, magazines, clippings, ebooks, and comic books I scanned and archived over the years. Industry "experts" originally dismissed tablets as just consumption devices with no real use. Who would have thought apps and wireless broadband Internet would make tablets the must-have device on everyone's birthday and Christmas list? The tablet (and ereader) addressed my needs as a reader and researcher. The iPod addressed the need for music on-the-go without a cassette tape. But a watch? I guess we'll wait and see. In the meantime, I'm perfectly happy with my cheap, glow-in-the-dark Fossil on my wrist.
2. Interplanetary Spy. Back in the 80s, there was a "game book" called Be an Interplanetary Spy. It was superior to the overrated Choose Your Own Adventure series and was the sci-fi counterpart to the excellent Wizards, Warriors, and You series. The multi-ended series of books had a strong continuity (a hundred times better than Marvel's ridiculous storylines today). The game book consisted of fractals, mazes, and clever puzzles that the Spy figured out using his wrist scanner. His wrist device could interpret symbols, project x-rays to see through objects, scan for life forms, analyze matter and energy, and in some books could even be used as a weapon. If Apple and Samsung could figure out how to integrate that to their wrist devices, I'm sold on the idea.
Scan from Be an Interplanetary Spy: Planet Hunters (1985)
Scan from Be an Interplanetary Spy: Red Rocket (1985)
3. Dick Tracy. Everyone who has written about wrist computing adds a JPEG and PNG of Dick Tracy. All I can say is that with hands-free Bluetooth and really small phones, you'd look like a Dick talking to your wrist.
4. Projected Interactive touchscreen. Miniaturizing the Minority Report interface components to a wristwatch would be revolutionary. Think about what would happen if everyone riding the "D" train in New York was holding one wrist up while dragging screens with the other. Cool and surreal but no one would talk to anyone any more. Casual conversation would become extinct. If they can develop a scalable 3D virtual desktop like Jihna Lee's design then we're looking at a totally new way of mobile computing.
"Yeah, but can it shoot webs like mine? (with matching utility belt, too!)"
Spider-Man screencap from The Amazing Spider-Man (1977) TV series.
5. Pre-Daniel Craig James Bond functional watch - I don't mind removing the watch just to swing across enemies while being shot at (The World is Not Enough - 1999). I'm also sure an integrated geiger counter would be very useful as a technical writer. And yes, I can certainly imagine commuting with a watch that can double as a taser or fire steel cables. I have my iPod and iPad for apps. I want a device with practical, integrated functions built-in, not stuff I have to download.
7. Game and watch awesome? Uhm. No. Have you seen the games available on Google Play, Steam, and Sony Playstation 4? I'm not a gamer and even I'm impressed. Why the heck would anyone break an arm playing with one hand while stabbing buttons on his wrist (or worst, both wrists)? I'd rather use the old-school NES controller.
Continued in Considerations for an Apple and Samsung Smart Watch Part 2
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