Hi ppl,

I’m new to this forum and this is my first post and I will be very grateful of any replies.

I’m a student studying Product Design at a University in London. I’m in my 2nd year, and currently working with a small UK based manufacture, which although doesn’t stock much in the product that Im about to talk about. Has a very broad portfolio.
The project we are working on, has been taking very seriously and I’m one of the select few that will be proposing the final concept to the board of directors (for possible further investment) in the coming weeks.

So what exactly have I got?
I have designed, and developed a new interactive, dynamic, and ambient webcam. For use with all messaging clients. The market I’m aiming at is a genderless age from 11 – 18, but hope that this product will appeal to older users, but 11 – 18 are just a very strong consumer group.

What dose it do?

Ambient. When not being used for a messenger device, It will act as a ambient device (changing Colour depending on when something happens) . Such as showing you when you have e-mails, the states defcon status, weather reports, when someone’s Myspace is updated etc…  Sort of like the already existing  http://www.ambientdevices.com/

Dynamic. The dynamic function is for during web conversations, a program will gauge the mood of the conversation. (based on expressions in text, smiles, nudges) and change its colour dynamically. It will even vibrate into live when someone what’s to initiate a web conversation with you.

Interactive. The product will be fully interactive, although you might see it as white, the “chameleon” will adapt to the colour of you MSN skin. So it will be as unique as you..

These are 3 pages from my development crit, they describe a basic aesthetic, and outline of the function.  2MB PDF

So why the hell am I telling you this!
Some people keep any product idea very secret, but I need your feedback to make this product better for the final design and the reassurance that such a market for this type of product exists.

If you have any comments on functionality, form, technical specification, or if you’re a manufacture and what to invest in my idea, post me a reply or drop me a e-mail to web@born4boarding.com

Thank you for your time, and interest.

Ben

very interesting product you have there...
a few thoughts of my own here...

1. perhaps the age range should be for a slightly younger user group than suggested.

2. gender... possibly more attractive to the female population methinks..

3. for a development crit, you might also think of how the cam is used.. for example, at the moment you see the cam is on an L-shaped base .. intended for standind on a desk perhaps... many people have their cams attached to their screen... sometimes the desk may be too low for a clear shot of the person... is there adjustability in direction that the cam points?

4. have you considered using the actual form of the cam to represent something with some personality or character... maybe something anthropomorphic.. maybe you've just thought that's too cheesy but there are subtle ways of doing this too.


Anyway, you definitely need to do more research into your user group... i myself am outside this user group so can't comment.. i probably wouldn't be buying into this sort of thing..

Good ideas... I keep they keep coming.... and good luck with your presentation to the board.

Hi gif83,

Thanks for the reply. In response to you comments..

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1. perhaps the age range should be for a slightly younger user group than suggested.

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2. gender... possibly more attractive to the female population methinks..

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3. for a development crit, you might also think of how the cam is used.. for example, at the moment you see the cam is on an L-shaped base .. intended for standing on a desk perhaps... many people have their cams attached to their screen... sometimes the desk may be too low for a clear shot of the person... is there adjustability in direction that the cam points?

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4. have you considered using the actual form of the cam to represent something with some personality or character... maybe something anthropomorphic.. maybe you've just thought that's too cheesy but there are subtle ways of doing this too.

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The age group is not too high IMO.

Age below 11 are not the ones who will buy (or even can buy) this sort of product. IMO, the agegroup 11-18 (although a very big range) is spot on to who use such things the most. Aiming at -11 is not a good thing todo with such a product, unless you want to make it all fluffy or Dublo Lego style so to speak. Not to mention the knowhow for the software installment and use for such a product is not what -11 years olds have.

just my 2 cents

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Originally posted by b4b


What dose it do?

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1 thing about the use of vibration when nudges are sent/received ...
this could be annoying as the cam will probably blur the picture, and also if it is on a desk/shelf then it may move when it vibrates, thus being VERY annoying when every time someone sends you a nudge it moves.

Also it would be cool if you had an L.E.D. "recording" light, so that when the cam is in use the light is lit to show this, some webcams do do this already and is a very nice feature.

Though, this seems like a pricey camera and so many people may not buy it (me for example, i can't afford a webcam that is to expensive even if i like it)

PS: how many pixels do you plan to have with in it?

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Originally posted by b4b
What dose it do?

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Just wondering out of personal interest whether your studies on the dynamic function of your webcam showed that the colour changing actively changed or enforced a messenger conversation to be lead in a certain direction. Maybe subconciously the colour changes may enhance emotions and maybe make people type things they normally wouldn't. Whether desirable or undesirable i find this is a most interesting part of your product.

Hi guys,

Thanks for all the interest and differing opinions. It is invaluable.

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cant be bothered downloading something to get a weather report  .....    maybe you could program it yourself to reflect your mood at this current time.

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so that when the cam is in use the light is lit to show this

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Maybe subconsciously the colour changes may enhance emotions and maybe make people type things they normally wouldn't. Whether desirable or undesirable i find this is a most interesting part of your product.

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That seems like a really, really cool idea. Although im not to keen on the shaking and vibration part, maybe an option in the software to turn it off?
Personally, id buy one but it seems as though it would be extremely expensive.. hence i wouldnt be able to afford it.

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Originally posted by Scone
Personally, id buy one but it seems as though it would be extremely expensive.. hence i wouldnt be able to afford it.

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I work. I just dont have the money. It gets spent on my girlfriend, and my X360. Hah.

Feel free to send me a free one when if it goes into production

That is a beautiful product. It would match a Mac computer really well actually .

It's a great idea...

If you target the modding scene it would probly become a pretty hot product.

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Originally posted by Scone

I work. I just dont have the money. It gets spent on my girlfriend

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Originally posted by Scone

Feel free to send me a free one when if it goes into production

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Yeah, i'll beat test the hardware for sure

stil trying to get into mobile phone testing as no current phones suit my needs >_<

Same here,
Im only 13 but i want to test phones

Serious suggestion:

If this does go through, and you want to test the product i have 4 home computers (XP Pro, XP Home, OSX) on which i can test your camera provided im sent a test model, and then i will gladly purchase a final product (Cause im sure i will fall in love with it)

Let us know how your proposal is going..

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Originally posted by Fukafly
Yeah, i'll beat test the hardware for sure

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Originally posted by NiteMare

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Originally posted by Fukafly
Yeah, i'll beat test the hardware for sure

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lol, i'll do 1 better, i'll beta test it, instead of beating it

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yeah well my beta testing might involve some beating its called 'durability'


still works must be good hehehe

Will you let us know when it is avaleble?

Gotta say, looks like an awesome design. Like gif said, it would be interesting to know if the colour effects the mood/direction of the conversation. I'd probably buy one. I'd love to test it

I'd absolutely love to test it.

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Originally posted by Max
I'd absolutely love to test it.

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I agree.

Whats up with bumping this really really old thread..this guy probly isnt even around anymore..

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Last Visit:     Monday, April 10th, 2006 at 09:24 PM

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