Not exactly global
The GPS (global positioning system) Homing Device has a very specific function: Mark a starting place, and the device will help you navigate back to that location. Theoretically designed to help you find where you parked your car during a shopping trip–a worthy aim in itself–but we wonder if it would cover a wide enough range to help people with dementia or other cognitive disabilities find their way home from significantly longer distances.
ChipChick: GPS Homing Device Helps Forgetful People Find Where They Parked
Remote view
At first glance, this concept remote control looks just like our favorite yellowtail nigiri at Yammy Sushi. However, apparently it has a social commentary agenda. When activated, it glows and appears to emulate breathing until a human hand approaches; then the light goes out, respiration stops, and it becomes rigid. How ’bout reversing the functionality for access purposes–the approach of a hand turns the light and breathing on, making it easier to see, and the buttons become more flexible and therefore easier to press for some people?
OhGizmo: Concept flesh gel remote is long and squishy; grows rigid when touched
Hearing loss epidemic
The CDC is now estimating that there are more than 5 million kids with noise-related hearing damage. This is blamed to a large extent on a fully preventable cause: Loud and protracted use of MP3 players that can be set to exceed safe limits of 85 dB. Some of which are marketed for three-year-olds. Three. Well before many speech and language milestones are reached. We can’t even wisecrack; we’re just appalled.
Access and allies
Thoughtful article from Michael Bernstein, who is the accessibility development lead for Windows 7. Looks like there will be a wide variety of improvements forthcoming, including improved support for assistive technologies, better onscreen keyboard and magnification options built in, and a pair of accessibility verification tools for third-party developers. What really heartened us was seeing Bernstein’s definition of accessibility itself: “Clearly, Accessibility wasn’t going to boil down to a simple yes/no question. It is really more like a particular kind of usability, but usability for a specific set of audiences with individual needs.”
The more, the merrier
The Journal of Consumer Research just published a study showing that consumers are more positively influenced to buy products if the description has a longer list of technical specifications. This is apparently true for everything from digital cameras to potato chips (personally, we hate buying a bag of Ruffles and finding there are only two USB slots included). If sellers take this to heart, it’s good news for people with all types of disabilities who may rely on a wider range of criteria than the mainstream in selecting high-tech products–e.g., weight, button size, display text adjustability.
Labspaces: Consumers choose products with more technical specs
Driving force
A new Chinese prototype replaces traditional ignition keyholes with a biometric device that instead asks you to insert your middle finger. Within twenty seconds, it will determine both whether you are the legitimate owner and whether your blood alcohol level is low enough for safety. The former function will likely be particularly welcome at the end of the day by folks who’ve been exacerbating their repetitive strain injuries on the job for the prior eight hours; no wrist-twisting required.
Wired: Prototype Scanner Gives Middle Finger To Drunk Driving
I get a kick out of you
It seems postnatality is no longer a requirement for using the Internet. Corey Menscher, a grad student at NYU, has come up with the Kickbee, a device with piezoelectric sensors that’s strapped to his pregnant wife; each time the baby kicks, a message is sent to Twitter. (The sensors are described as “touchy”; no comment provided about Mom.) If this technology could be extended to permit a range of messages, it could work as a simple communication aid for people with severe disabilities. For example, they’d activate a sensor to send a Twitter message saying “I’m awake and feeling OK” to loved ones first thing in the morning.