Mat Harden

Designer’s Depot led me to learning about Micro$oft’s research (this link will annoyingly resize your window) into the future of computers. What I found interesting was their ideas about gesture technology, which looks like it’s maybe where Minority Report got its idea from.

Whilst this all seems very clever, I’m left thinking that it’s a lot more effort. I was under the impression that I had been sitting erganomically with my arms resting on the table & my screen at eye level. I can’t really see myself wanting to wave my arms around all day like a conductor. I’m very comfortable browsing with one hand & with my other hand holding up my head.

The poor old cassette got pushed out the window as soon as MP3 reared it’s head. Now it’s all iPod this & Metallica lawsuit that. This site has some good points on the subject. It’s nicely done & is also relatively amusing.

Got my phone upgraded this week to a shiny new Sony Ericsson K700i. I did have the T610 before which I was very happy with, so I’m comparing the new one to that.

The screen is so much clearer & the camera is a lot better with a light on it too, which I really like (also very handy for looking around in the dark). I can now also record movies (with sound) & take panoramic photos, with the new fancy little feature.

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Yay! I’ve found a new shortcut on my Sony Ericsson T610. Hold down C. As long as the keys are not locked, the phone will switch to silent. Press again to reverse the effect.

I’ve saved myself 1 key press every time I want to mute my phone. Brilliant!

So I’ve just started to see the adverts on TV. Chip & PIN is making it’s way into the UK.
At the point of sale we simply tap in our 4 digit code for authentication. Great! Seldom does a shop assistant say “sorry, you’re signature does not match that on the card” & that’s even if they’ve bothered to look (I don’t think petrol station attendants even know what a signature is).

Somebody said to me that a mugger could just watch you type in your PIN, steal your card & use it. True, but they can do that now anyway & take your money from a cash point.

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