This month we review books about ubiquitous computing design and content strategy.

Smart Things: Ubiquitous Computing User Experience Design

Type: practical
Publisher: Morgan Kaufmann
ISBN: 978-0123748997
Details: 336 pages, paperback

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For years people have talked about ubiquitous computing and how it will change our lives. It has taken time for this technology to move from the academic and experimental phase of development to being part of our everyday experience. Now that the revolution has started, designers should observe and understand how to design for ubiquitous computing. To fill this need, Mike Kuniavsky has written a book called “Smart Things: Ubiquitous Computing User Experience Design.”

Eighty percent of the user experience books I own start with the history of our field and the definition of user experience. So does this book, but this is the first time in years that I actually read these chapters. Here Kuniavsky provides a clear explanation of the position that ubiquitous computing holds in this history. After this he gives his definition of and differences between identity, interface, industrial, interaction, information and service design. And while I heard about most of these before, understanding his view on this was helpful.

In the book, Kuniavsky takes us on a ride through many different ubiquitous computing projects. He explains each project in detail and gives us insights into technology, design choices, marketing decisions and reasons behind the success or failure. This approach really helps you understand what ubiquitous computing exactly is, which is important since it can be so much and so little at once. Writing in this way helps the reader to get a good understanding, but I also thought it missed some details. People with lots of experience in interaction design will probably get inspired by this, but will not learn a lot of new information.

Clout: The Art and Science of Influential Web Content

Type: practical
Publisher: New Riders Press
ISBN: 978-0321733016
Details: 240 pages, paperback

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In Clout, the author Colleen Jones concisely outlines the methods and techniques that will aid the development of a successful content strategy. There are numerous real-world examples that support the core principles of context, rhetoric and psychology. She advises content creators to turn off their “fire hose” of information and provides effective and proven techniques to reach people.

Not only does Clout suggest organizations change the way they think before they begin to solve customer engagement issues; it may also require some readers that they change the way they think before they read it. Jones delicately introduces elements of psychology and sociology to explain the science of influence. The best SEO or A/B testing tools will not heal a company’s reputation or convince customers to trust your content’s voice. Investing in a new psychology will.

I like Clout because it teaches how and why to create influential content. I also love the fact that Colleen Jones takes the time to review the principles of rhetoric and psychology, principles at the heart of influential content, before mapping it all out and discussing practical tactics to develop influential content.

There is so much valuable information in Jones’ book that I want to summarize it all in this review, but I won’t. She has written a beautiful and good overview of what it takes to apply a good content strategy, without making things too complicated. This book can be used by web designers and content strategists, but is also a great gift for clients.

We are living in a world where computing and information processing is going beyond the desktop model of computer interaction to be integrated into the everyday objects we interact with and activities in which we partake. During the course of a day someone ‘experiencing’ this ubiquitous computing may engage with a number of computational devices and services and not even be aware they are doing so.

This model is moving beyond the desktop paradigm, and has more recently been described as ‘everyware’.  When primarily looking at the objects involved, and the way they are networked through wireless technologies, this can then be described as the ‘internet of things’. Everyday objects being networked is a simple concept yet the application is complex, holding huge possibilities. If all objects from our daily routines could be ‘tagged’ with an identifying device we could see untold amounts of information about the product.

These technologies have the potential to redefine the way in which we interact with the physical world and how we gain insights about the actions that make up our daily routines. That greater awareness has the capacity to help us to adjust and moderate our behaviour in a number of positive ways.

Although we are not yet living in a world where our shoes can talk to our socks to tell them they don’t match… ubiquitous computing is without a doubt starting to creep into our lives. Adam Greenfield described it nicely when he wrote of “information processing dissolving into behaviour”. This is definitely the case for the emerging area of ‘Personal Informatics’.

Photo curtosy of Matt Jones & Tom Coates, from their presentation

Personal Informatics can be characterized as the monitoring and displaying of information about our daily activities through intelligent devices, services and systems. This information allows us to see trends and opportunities for change that we would otherwise miss.  With the rise in network and RFID technology we are pointing to a time where personal informatics can play an important role in our lives. If people can access this information about their daily routines, and interact with their own personal data currently invisible to them: would they make more informed decisions?

One of the greatest values of this new technology is the ease with which it can provide information about specific products and services we use. If household items, personal belongings and new devices could be used to motivate people to make small changes in their lifestyle, the effect could be positive for the entire society. Essentially: what are the possibilities when we help make people aware of their life patterns?

Specific contexts

In our everyday lives we are often engulfed in specific contexts, which makes it difficult to see the bigger picture. Personal Informatics enables us to see relationships in our behaviour we would otherwise miss. Devices such as Nike + and money management software Mint aren’t designed to control your behaviour, but to monitor your actions and display your information. They do it in such a way that it will raise questions and give you the platform to make changes. Many opportunities from personal informatics can happen at a grass roots level. For example if you start monitoring your home energy consumption and realize that you are leaving your lights on more than needed you can instantly change your behaviour.

Opportunities

I see huge potential in the field of personal informatics and it is definitely something that is very exciting in the UX field. There are two areas of challenge within it that really interest me. Firstly: how can these personal insights and data behind your lifestyle be delivered in such a way that it will impact someone on an emotional level. How can you motivate people so they will actually change their actions rather than just turning a blind eye to the reality.

The second is that our lives are already infiltrated with huge amounts of information each day from emails to RSS feeds. So how can the interface for these products, services or software be designed in such a way that the information you receive does not add to the information overload that currently exists. Plus it should not result in people compulsively checking their ‘data’ as so many people currently do with email.

Examples

Nike +
Nike + is one of the most commercial and well discussed personal informatics tools currently available. The system is made up of a small chip that you insert in your running shoes, combined with a personal online service. The tangible UI which is imbedded in the sole of your shoes communicates with your Apple iPod (which has pre-loaded software) feeding it with information about your running to help you track your training regime. The system essentially becomes a digital personal trainer. After you have completed your training session you can plug your iPod into your computer and log into your personal Nike + account. What I think has greatly contributed to the success of the Nike + system is that even though you have a personal account you are part of a community. Your web based account allows you to provide training tips and advice to other people and recommend good running routes. By being part of community I really believe that it makes peoples actions feel more valued.

Nike + software, tracking you progress

The Wattson
The Wattson is a new kind of home appliance that is networked to a sensor attached to your home’s electric meter box. Using colours and numbers, the Wattson device displays your energy consumption and stores it on an online database making it easy for you to manage your electricity usage and therefor save money. Not only is the system hugely informative and practical… the device also looks great.

Time will tell…

Personal Informatics is a very powerful idea, and is hugely based on the assumption that people will makes changes if they are given the platform to do so. Time will tell if knowing more about ourselves will empower people to adjust their daily routines, but the early success in such an emerging field sure is exciting and will hopefully bode well for the future!