I want to build or buy a wearable computer suitable for use at all times and as inconspicuous as clothing, glasses, or a fancy watch. This is a sci-fi dream, but it seems possible with current technology - it's just a bit pricy at the moment. Shouldn't stop me from throwing some notes & thoughts together though. I've babbled about this before - see
Blog:000308.
Desirable qualities:
- Long-lived battery life
- Physically inconspicuous rig
- Small & light
- Pocket-sized
- Multiple belt modules
- Small backpack / messenger bag sized
- Vest sized
- Socially transparent
- Inobtrusive in daily use
- Modestly powered CPU
- Low-end laptop equivalent
- If networked, shift heavy work to servers at home
- But the networking would probably be over something wireless like 802.11b. Driving the radios takes power, so perhaps it's better to do more stuff locally than waste power phoning home?
- Ubiquitously networked
- Wireless ethernet equivalent where possible
- Roam using cellular data services
- Ubiqutous yet inobtrusive user interface
- Situational flexibility
- Change UI scheme and I/O devices depending on context
- Full keyboard & monitor - at a desk
- Tablet device - at a coffee shop
- Wrist LCD screen & pad - at a meeting or while walking
- Monocle & twiddler - at a meeting or while walking
- Voice, sound, vibration - while walking or driving
- Vibration - at a movie, if expecting urgent msg
- Output
- Lightweight monocle on glasses
- Smaller wrist-mounted display for alternative
- Vibration feedback
- Sound feedback, loud & public or earphone & private
- Input
- Chording keyboard?
- Thumb / pocket mouse
- Gestures via finger-mounted motion sensors
- Kio's flower ring
- Guy's rotating ring & wooden communicator
- Condenser mic
- Camera
- Environmental data (ie. location, temperature, etc)
- Bio data (ie. blood pressure, temperature, etc)
- Construction
- Custom design, build, wiring, etc
- Off-the-shelf construction
- Bluetooth for new devices?
- USB everywhere