The Carry Principle

Jef Raskin coined the term "information appliance" to mean a device designed not to do everything, but to do a small set of tasks very well and be closely matched to the needs of the people using them. They tend to be simple, always deal with information, and tend to share information. An ATM is an example. Donald Norman popularized the term; learn more in an interview about personal computers and an essay about appliances of the future. Or go read his book.

Thus, I introduce the carry principle: Devices which are always carried, such as mobile phones, can not be mass-market information appliances precisely because they are always carried. We expect flexibility in exchange for the cost of always carrying (or using) a device.

Thus, information appliances are relegated to:

• environmental devices (home automation)
• fixed devices (home stereo, ATM)
• occasional-use devices (book reader, walkman, calculator, etc.)
• professional devices (such as the UPS delivery device or a high-end camera

This principle explains the explosion of features for mobile phones.

Watches may be an exception. They are simple devices (or most of them are) doing only a small number of tasks in a fashion that matches how they are used. Perhaps the carry principle does not extend to wearables.

Hi Barbara

The carry principle referenced on my blog
http://opengardensblog.futuretext.com/archives/2006/01/mobile_web_20_w_1.html
which in turn is referenced by syscon
http://wireless.sys-con.com/read/176358.htm

with a link back to you ..

This should get you some pretty goood coverage
Keep up your good work