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Ideo follies

2001-12-13 16:37:11+00 by Dan Lyke 8 comments

Once again, I found the flexible rubber "hinge" for my Palm Vx tearing. So I dropped by Office Despot to pick up a new one, and found a Palm[Wiki] hard case, with a "designed by Ideo" plastered on the back.

So I bought it, tried to fit it in my fanny pack where I usually carry it, promptly pulled out my Gerber multi-tool and carved the back cover off of it; now it's actually the roughtly the right size, not a monstrosity that makes my sleek Vx as thick as a III. This case had been returned previously, probably for exactly the reason that I saw fit to modify it.

What is it with the cult of design that manufacturers are willing to shut their brains off when design companies like Ideo make suggestions? Is this part of why FrogDesign is in trouble? Maybe now that the .com craze is over we'll get back to engineers designing products, and see a new wave of usability.

[ related topics: Invention and Design ]

comments in ascending chronological order (reverse):

#Comment made: 2002-02-21 05:33:46+00 by: mkelley

But you have to admit Ideo's Dilbert Cubicle is pretty cool.

#Comment made: 2002-02-21 05:33:46+00 by: ccoryell

I must admit that I have been waiting for palm to release a thin handheld that wasn't designed by Ideo. I have always been offended by the anti-ergonomic points ("The Ideo flare") at the bottom.

Just for funsies: is this The case you bought?. -ccm

#Comment made: 2002-02-21 05:33:46+00 by: Dan Lyke

Yep. That's the one. With the back cut off it's almost perfect (well, aside from that damned flare), if they'd left a bit off the bottom so it'd still fit in the docking cradle, it would be perfect. "Memory Stick of the moment and media" issues aside, some of the Sony CLIÉ devices look pretty darned close to optimal, especially with the scroll dial along the side.

#Comment made: 2002-02-21 05:33:46+00 by: TC

I know I'm in the minority here but I like the flare on my Vx as it adds style but doesn't compromise function (at least not for me). My palm of choice right now would be this Clie but I think I'm going to wait for them to thin the model a bit and add some kind of connectivity.

#Comment made: 2002-02-21 05:33:46+00 by: Dylan

Holy cow, I thought I was the only one who was really annoyed by that flare...glad to see I was wrong.

#Comment made: 2002-02-21 05:33:47+00 by: Dan Lyke

Nope, I think, in fact, that Todd's the only person who isn't annoyed by the flare.

#Comment made: 2002-02-21 05:33:47+00 by: Shawn

Of course, you could forget the whole flare thing and go with a Handspring Visor... ;-)

What I really wish I could find for my Visor is a soft case/cover that "hinges" at the top (so I can fold it all the way around 'til it's flush with the back) and holds the PDA with clips instead of lame velcro tape.

#Comment made: 2002-02-21 05:33:47+00 by: TheSHAD0W

My Visor Edge is safely ensconced in a leather case designed for the Palm III. While putting the velcro square on the back made it impossible to install the expansion slot, it's well protected, and the case has room for a few necessities and an extra stylus.