Ashley_ch.7_i

I love the whole idea of smart applications and clever devices because we use them everyday and usually don't notice them, but they make our lives better. Everything from the computer I'm using right now, to my cell phone, to the programs in them are customizable and adaptable to my preferences. On page 155-56 he talks about the back light on an iPod coming on at night by using the time. I think having the back light come on when you need it in a dark place would be really helpful, but not if it used the clock to determine this, because sometimes you are in a dark place during the day. If cell phones and iPods had a light sensor on them to turn on the light when you are in a dark place, that would be great. My headlights on my car work this way, so why not other things. I also think that sometimes smart and clever devices, while they may be very cool, lack usability. Our parents, and especially grandparents, can't use computers and cell phones as efficiently as we can (generally speaking) because they inevitably become more complicated the smarter they are.
On page 168, he mentions ambient devices and how they have not really caught on. I think that is because a lot of them are not really that useful. They may be neat, but not that useful, and often take more effort to pay attention to than it would take to not have it.