Design
Mobile attraction. What ignites the flame?
By Mike on 10 June 2008
INTERNATIONAL – What is it that gives a mobile phone identity, sparking many of us to to respond to a device on a personal level? There’s no question that mobiles have established themselves as our closest electronic companions, and sometimes we’re lucky enough to fall into a mutually beneficial relationship (one we connect with mightn’t leave our side for up to three years). It’s a question I recently posed to Joeske Schellen, the designer of the newly released N78 in the UK (watch video interview). But despite some discussion on the form factor of Nseries phones, there was no great epiphany.
But the question kept nagging, why do people get so attached to pieces of mobile hardware? Sure, the best devices are effortless facilitators that happen to be packaged in a physically appealing shell, but personality and a human connection occurs thanks to something else. Then it hit me… as I played with the brilliantly simple kickstand on the upcoming N96. Could it be, like relationships of any kind, that it’s those tiny idiosyncrasies that spark a reaction and help shape our emotions?
It’s astounding that of all the technological refinement of the N96, that the kickstand remains the element of that phone that gives it an extra pinch of character. Similarly on the N78, it’s the FM Transmitter that stands out for treading a new path.
You’d think smart functionality has to underpin these ‘extras’, but I don’t think that’s the case. Can a few simple design flourishes and technical twists affect the way you and I unwittingly react to a device? Can you pinpoint what it is in a device that makes you engage with it and feel happy to accept it as a long-term companion? Perhaps you only see your phone as a slab of necessary circuitry? Either way, we’d be really interested in finding out what you think – let us know in the comments section below.
Photo from Dominic’s pics
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June 11th, 2008 at 6:28 pm
I’ve got the black N82, E90, 6210 Navigator, N96, and N95-3 on my desk right now, and my SIM card is happily in the N95-3. Why? It’s my absolute favorite phone, even the Bluetooth name is ‘Precious’.
Why, you ask? Because, for me, it’s the complete package, and hands-down the best S60 product I’ve used – ever. It’s got US 3G, which, if you’ve not used S60 with a 3G connection, you should. It’s as if they were designed for each other.
It’s also got removable storage, which, if you’ve used the N95 8GB, you’ll know is a blessing in disguise for transferring large amounts of data.
It also has the pencil key, which has been removed going forward, and has, in my opinion, the best Multimedia Menu we’ve seen yet.
Indeed, I have a very personal connection with the N95-3. It’s just so very complete, in my opinion, there’s really no other way to describe it.
However, I would *LOVE* if it had that little kickstand, which I’ll agree is by far the best feature of the N96, bar none. It’s the little things.
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June 11th, 2008 at 11:16 pm
That’s a really good question to look into. I know for the N75 that I am very attracted to the keypad. Before this model, I had a healthy disdain for keypads because they were small and not very good for messaging desptite the claims of people with smaller fingers.
Those little things do have a way of making one feel connected to a device. I’d argue that’s a good thing and something that respective lines of devices should move towards; and then add that personal touch indivudually afterwards.
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