Lecture4 : Smartphones, Lecture and MR Appstore

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 Evolution of shape of smartphone


To discuss the evolution of shape of smartphone I decide to study iPhone's size from iPhone 1 (2007) to iPhone 12(2020). I chose Apple because it released a new smartphone each year and -most of the time- represents the state-of-art of smartphone : it's a good indicator. The graph below represents the evolution of diagonal shape in inches.


I didn't take into consideration the sizes of "Plus version" because I consider it as an option. The linear regression and visual observation show that the shape of smartphone had increase over the years.

We can wonder why smartphones change their shape. The main reason concerns the evolution of the utilization of smartphone. At first, phones were just to call people and sometimes send messages... Then some applications appeared on it, and text messages become more used, leading to the apparition of Smartphones : AZERTY keyboard and more applications. In fact, over time, smartphones become small computers : we consult our mail, use them as GPS, search things on the internet, and much more... Thus, our using time spent on our phone has increased a lot : to feel more comfy society increase the size of it. Last trend, thanks to technologies show that the screen is almost the size of the phone. Below the picture if iPhone 1 to iPhone X.


We can now imagine the next step, are we going to have a tablet for calling our friends? 
In my opinion, that won't happen. Indeed, when we look again on the graph iPhone 12 and 12 Pro include previous shape. I think we obtain a good shape for our smartphones. But for me the next step, will be modularity : transform your phone into a little computer or extend the size of the screen as we saw with the Samsung Galaxy Fold. The dock of our phone could bring them into little computers.

The computer for the 21st Century by Mark Weiser

Are we already living in a world of ubiquitous computing ? 

The author makes a difference between Virtual Reality and ubiquitous computing : ubiquitous computing doesn't mean we all live in a virtual world controlled by computers but means that computers are used a lot and for a lot of tasks (as we represent our language by symbols). The technology disappear in a sense of it's taken for granted : we do it with consciously thinking about it. 
According to Mark Weiser I will define some terms which describe a world of ubiquitous computing:
  1. Computers are invisible
  2. Computers know where they are
  3. Different size of computer for different tasks
  4. A Hundred of computers in a room
  5. Cheap
  6. Low-power computers with a decent display 
  7. Ubiquitous network between all computers 
The article ends with some example which are very interesting to read. Let's now think on our list and try to see which are done or not.
  1. Computers are invisible : Some start to appear in our lives (badges, USB key with program, ...) so OK.
  2. Computers know where they are : our smartphones have a lot of captors which permits them to understand where they are. They could also know when you take them in hand. OK.
  3. Different size of computer for different tasks : Cook robot, smartphones, tablet, connected TV, Laptop, huge calculation machine. OK.
  4. A Hundred of computers in a room : For the moment : NO.
  5. Cheap : In a sense yes, many are affordable. Active badges are a good example we gave them hundreds of it to students each year. OK
  6. Low-power computers with a decent display : This question could be a long discussion but let's say not all forms and tasks can be achieved by computers. NO
  7. Ubiquitous network between all computers : Not for all tasks, but most current "computers" are inter-connected, we can print from a lot of devices on our printer which is connected to the same network. OK 
Conclusion, we are on the right path to live in a world of ubiquitous computing. However, this transition isn't over, we do not have hundreds of computers through our walls like we already have hundreds of volt coursing currently in it.
For me the next important step concerns low-power computer and cheap. For me the main actual objective is to reduce the coast of it and also is electrical consumption. This will permit to achieve this world of ubiquitous computers.

 

The future MR Appstore

Mixed Reality represent the domain between Virtual Environment and Real Environment, thus it includes Virtual reality and Augmented Reality. In this part we will imagine the top 3 application of a future appstore in a world where head-mounted display(HMD) are as ubiquitous as smartphones.

  • Navigation app :
When you use a bike you cannot use headphones, it's a law. And except if you have an accessory to fix your smartphone or GPS, you cannot follow the indication of your GPS. With mixed reality and in this case Augmented Reality : you could follow the road and the indication with just glasses on. Hearing and sight are conserved : no more issues with laws.

  • VR Chat
This one already exist but for me if MR HMD become ubiquitous as smartphones this app going to be the most have. It's free and looks like the beginning of the future. Have you seen the film "Ready Player One" ? VR Chat is the beginning of the oasis : a Virtual World where people live in a dream.


  • Ikea MR app
Ikea is a very know furniture store, when you buy something in Ikea is in a little box : you must mount it. Assembly instructions look like this : 
And you could quickly finish in this situation : overwhelmed.

With an HMD on pieces and screws could be recognized. With audio and visual instruction superposed on what you see it will become easier to mount your furniture. If we take the previous example, all necessary planks are highlighted and how they fit together could be shown in the real environment around you.