Comments on: Can We Design Gadgets That Age? http://www.psfk.com/2007/07/can-we-design-gadgets-that-age.html Ideas & Trends Mon, 23 Nov 2009 18:51:10 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: David http://www.psfk.com/2007/07/can-we-design-gadgets-that-age.html/comment-page-1#comment-6169 David Sat, 21 Jul 2007 16:04:55 +0000 http://www.psfk.com/2007/07/can-we-design-gadgets-that-age.html#comment-6169 Ever trolled through your iTunes for 30mins trying to figure out what to listen to? Imagine an iPod that gathered data on its owner and gradually learnt to accurately recommend/select music for you based on your music listening habits. The older it is, the better it would be at this. Technology that ages...? Ever trolled through your iTunes for 30mins trying to figure out what to listen to?

Imagine an iPod that gathered data on its owner and gradually learnt to accurately recommend/select music for you based on your music listening habits. The older it is, the better it would be at this.

Technology that ages…?

]]> By: John Voelcker http://www.psfk.com/2007/07/can-we-design-gadgets-that-age.html/comment-page-1#comment-6099 John Voelcker Thu, 19 Jul 2007 10:04:49 +0000 http://www.psfk.com/2007/07/can-we-design-gadgets-that-age.html#comment-6099 Tangentially related is the enormous growth in collecting of electronic gadgets. There's a guy in Silicon Valley who has > 20K electronic calculators, for example. Like all good collectors, he pays far more for NIB examples with manuals, original styrofoam inserts, etc.--and even more if they're shrink-wrapped! Taste knows no boundaries. Tangentially related is the enormous growth in collecting of electronic gadgets. There’s a guy in Silicon Valley who has > 20K electronic calculators, for example. Like all good collectors, he pays far more for NIB examples with manuals, original styrofoam inserts, etc.–and even more if they’re shrink-wrapped! Taste knows no boundaries.

]]> By: Scott http://www.psfk.com/2007/07/can-we-design-gadgets-that-age.html/comment-page-1#comment-6089 Scott Wed, 18 Jul 2007 21:24:22 +0000 http://www.psfk.com/2007/07/can-we-design-gadgets-that-age.html#comment-6089 Interesting you bring gadgets that age. Recently, a biologist spoke at an architecture conference attended by a friend who noted that in a rainforest...or any forest, the trees and canopy become stronger with the weather, while our structures weaken. I think it's the ultimate challenge in design, simply because we'll need to crack mother nature's code. Interesting you bring gadgets that age. Recently, a biologist spoke at an architecture conference attended by a friend who noted that in a rainforest…or any forest, the trees and canopy become stronger with the weather, while our structures weaken.

I think it’s the ultimate challenge in design, simply because we’ll need to crack mother nature’s code.

]]> By: Christine Huang http://www.psfk.com/2007/07/can-we-design-gadgets-that-age.html/comment-page-1#comment-6088 Christine Huang Wed, 18 Jul 2007 21:11:41 +0000 http://www.psfk.com/2007/07/can-we-design-gadgets-that-age.html#comment-6088 While retro electronics (original Gameboys, 8-tracks, early synths, etc) have a strong following, it's generally nostalgia and quirkiness that drive their popularity, much like Nike's vintage running shoes series. It would be interesting to see a gadget that, as you mention, actually improves with age, like worn-in jeans and softened leather - rather than something that becomes cooler only when it becomes sufficiently antiquated/obsolete. While retro electronics (original Gameboys, 8-tracks, early synths, etc) have a strong following, it’s generally nostalgia and quirkiness that drive their popularity, much like Nike’s vintage running shoes series. It would be interesting to see a gadget that, as you mention, actually improves with age, like worn-in jeans and softened leather – rather than something that becomes cooler only when it becomes sufficiently antiquated/obsolete.

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