Hook's next cloud experiment-- Google redux. Questions.

[Mi An]

Both of the methods talked about in this thread will merge in time. The next major UI change for mobile will be in the guise of time-stream-based user interfaces. Here, you need to have linear and spatial recognition of everything and everyone as an event in time, and from that point in time, you and your mobile are searching for those content types (content containers). Such a system though requires that you know the basics of organization (Dewey decimal) while also how to leverage keywords, times, tags, etc. for dynamic (right-now) queries (search). It will be the kind of UI and attachment to other people and systems that looks like its almost predicting what we want before we get it - and its not, but it uses where we've organized data before, to present to us data in a way that best speaks to the moment we are in.

I was just thinking the other day about how much I'd love to have a mobile interface that I could script the way I build pages at wikidot. Wikidot is a module-based wiki. The primary mechanisms are a module called ListPages (there are many other more specific modules), a display tailoring mechanism called Live Templates, and of course pages and categories and tags. The pages contain the content, for a web developer, often simple data points. LiveTemplates controls how they display if you look at a solo data point in one category. Then, the real magic, happens in calling on all data with specific tag, category, date, rating etc information and display it one place however you like. Once you roll these mechanisms all together, there's a lot of magic and a lot of power.

I don't really use webapps on the go, and I'm not sold on the availability of connectivity, but the further the mainstream gets away from my needs, the more I think I'll end up developing some of my own wares in the future to meet my niche needs -- sharing in a small community of niche users become niche developers. Which leads to the idea that I'll be developing my own platform independent webapps, something I won't have to redevelop every time I move on. I hope mobile browsing makes real strides in the coming years. Not just in rendering and internals, but in the way you open and utilize particular windows. WebOS' cards are actually quite apt for what I imagine in that regard.

Wikidot is an open source php application. What I really, Really wish I could do is pop php on my phone, load up wikidot, script my own interface, plug in my wikidot apps there and never connect to the internet. Next phone, same thing.

Java, flash, WebOS and I'm sure others have all thought of little pieces of what I want, but they're all fatally flawed in my book in one way or another. HTML5 as a local, unmolested standard might be nice for preservation across platforms, but the lack of simplicity in scripting wouldn't.

[NamelessPlayer]

Reading through this thread has given me some ideas.

Combined with what someone said on ForumOxford, perhaps part of the solution I'm looking for will be a "glue" between various different data ecosystems-one that will make everything apparently seamless, which it currently isn't due to flawed current implementations.

Another area that could use some advancement is the overall context of the information-why we have it, and what we want to do with it. A system that understands this will more efficiently and reliably present its information to the user. Perhaps that time-space concept could go some way toward realizing this.

I've also thought for a moment about how I like to organize my information, and how I like it presented.

For the organization, I don't know what I'd do without color-coded categories. Those help me identify what relevance a given entry has. I'm not against search-categories and such make useful filters-but I've never been overburdened with too much information such that I can't find it manually. (Most of my information load is dates and tasks for schoolwork; I have little need for contacts, though I do keep some of those stored just in case.)

For the presentation, PocketBreeze is probably the single biggest reason I can't pry myself away from Windows Mobile. It makes the default PIM suite usable as a nice Today screen frontend, and if Pocket Informant is installed, I mostly use it for more under-the-hood functionality while letting PocketBreeze do all the presentation.

What I especially like is that the calendar tab also shows dated tasks alongside appointments, and undated ones just sort of float under the current day entry 'til I check them off. I don't have to keep switching between the calendar and tasks tabs.

There are still improvements to be made with PIM systems, however.

-To expand on the presentation further, I would like the ability to bind to-do tasks to a given calendar appointment, such that on the home screen with the calendar tab open, I can open a drop-down menu on any calendar entries to reveal any related tasks, while not having to see tasks for appointments I'm not as concerned with yet. And, if possible, I want to see far more integration between calendar appointments, contacts, to-do tasks, and notes than there currently is. It irritates me enough that a lot of those things on other mobile platforms are done on separate apps and don't integrate well, if at all, but even robust PIM suites with all of those things in one app don't quite have the best integration. (Pocket Informant's ability to link entries doesn't seem quite like what I'm looking for.)

-I wish there was more effort on an ability that is little-seen outside of the old Apple Newton MessagePads; being able to write down something like "Appointment at 6:00pm Thursday", highlight it, hit the Assist icon, and have it bring up a new appointment field with many of the relevant forms already filled out properly. Now imagine that with voice recognition as another input option. It would certainly lessen the perceived numerous tapping-on-screen I have to do just to input something like that.

[Antoine Wright]

Combined with what someone said on ForumOxford, perhaps part of the solution I'm looking for will be a "glue" between various different data ecosystems-one that will make everything apparently seamless, which it currently isn't due to flawed current implementations.

Another area that could use some advancement is the overall context of the information-why we have it, and what we want to do with it. A system that understands this will more efficiently and reliably present its information to the user. Perhaps that time-space concept could go some way toward realizing this.

Coming... but is also what Facebook, Google, MS, Ovi, Apple, Cisco, US Gov... are all trying to be.

-I wish there was more effort on an ability that is little-seen outside of the old Apple Newton MessagePads; being able to write down something like "Appointment at 6:00pm Thursday", highlight it, hit the Assist icon, and have it bring up a new appointment field with many of the relevant forms already filled out properly. Now imagine that with voice recognition as another input option. It would certainly lessen the perceived numerous tapping-on-screen I have to do just to input something like that.

This = Android

[Hook]

I had an interesting opportunity for a new experiment so I took it. It was a chance to, in the words of Pete Townshead, go mobile.

I am traveling for work this week in areas and locations where I always have a good 3G signal and where, although I have a laptop, it will stay in my hotel room. Since this is a situation I am never in under normal circumstances (again, I spend 9 hours a day plus half my commute with no cell signal), I decided to try being as mobile and 3G oriented as I am capable of being to see what it is like and what I can learn.

This is different from my other experiments. I was not looking to sell myself on being mobile since I can't do it, nor would my not being happy with it be considered a failed outcome. In fact, in a week, I don't even get the chance to develop best practices and efficiencies. No, the point was just to learn a little more about it and to maybe gain some new perspective for discussions at Brighthand and elsewhere. No earth shattering revelations here.

I've been doing it since last Saturday. One thing is very clear. If you move around a lot (either constantly on travel or just don't sit at a desk all day and have to collaborate or co-ordinate with other people at different locations (even in the same building), particularly if a lot of your work is web based, this is a good way to do it. I really don't. Most of the things I was doing fell into the "this can wait until I get back to the laptop" category. However, if I needed a quick answer from the web to solve a problem or make a decision (e.g., wife needs money transferred to her account), it was really nice not to have to whip out my laptop, boot up and hope for a wifi signal.

My 5800 is really not that good a test. The screen is too small making the on-screen keyboard too cramped. Yes, I can (and did) use the BT keyboard, but I was focusing on the purely mobile aspect. This would have been much nicer on an N97, but a small keyboard is still a small keyboard and I really don't like typing on them. However, if it served a valuable need such as I outlined in the above paragraph, I'd probably push back the resistance. I certainly understand why IM, SMS and witter have become so important-- long messages are a pain in the rear on a small device.

I really have no interest in streaming video or other high-bandwidth uses. It is not something I feel is worth doing on a 3.2" screen. Further, for me, it is not worth it to pay a monthly fee to be able to do it (remember, I can use wifi, but my focus this week has been on 3G).

Things I really liked:

Google Sync: Really top-notch, as long as I keep any other syncing method from touching the data (like Outlook). I won't be doing that in the future, but if you are happy enough having the data just in the cloud and your phone (yes, ther is a physical copy of the data in both places) this is a really smooth experience.

Skyfire for S60: Just a terrific browser. Allows me to have full-scale web pages on my 3.2" screen and, more miraculously, has a very nice set of controls that don't get in the way when you are using the pages. Great for secure login sites that are looking for IE or Firefox. Strangly, the only site I found that doesn't work well in Skyfire is Brighthand. Luckily, it works fine in the 5800's webkit default browser.

Nokia Messaging: Just works. I easily set up 3 email accounts, two with gmail (I don't normally even do email on my mobile when it is being a PDA). Handles SMS as well.

This has been very eye opening (I'd actually call the experiment a success). I really see why, for some here, this is a really great way to get things done. Even trying to use data all the time (my hotel room has a wired connection), I only managed to use 5Mb of data so far.

I will continue this through the week-end (I'm taking a couple of days to visit family before returning home), but I suspect I've learned about as much as I can this round. If I were a web centric person, I'd be all over this. However, it does make me frustrated with the lack of options from the US carriers. I think there are a lot of people out there who really don't need unlimited data plans, just reasonably priced bites of data to get some things done more easily.

That's what bothers me about the marketing. By marketing smartphones and, particularly, overpriced unlimited plans as if everyone needs them when only some people need them, you are closing off options both for devices and for diverse and more creative approaches to buying data.

Nonetheless, I really am having a positive experience.

[JRakes]

By way of a few little birds (no, not those mockingbirds ) having told me some of what was going on with Hook's experiment this week, I've learned a bit, as well. For one, I know (as I've stated before) that there are certainly some uses for this approach. For a select group of folks who must remain "out and about" but still stay in touch with other people, there are tools to do so.

At the same time, I've become even more convinced that very little "real work" is going to get done on anything that will fit in one's pocket. Of course, what one defines as "real work" is different from person to person. Neither my professional nor personal life can be managed with 15 word sentences or acronyms clumsily stuffed into text messages. I've attempted to do a few more things with Office docs but have found that what I can do on a "real" computer in an hour would take me an entire day on a pocket-sized device. Talk about an exercise in frustration...

It all boils down to: If I have to work that hard just to FIND a productive use for something, then that something isn't what I want, much less need. Great for those who DO need it, but I have to wonder if the inefficiencies in the approach are a self-fulfilling prophecy of having too little time, hence the need to deal with these things around the clock, because so little is actually getting done, because the approach is not appropriate for the task.

The problem, then, becomes just what Hook mentioned: The giant push for the "totally mobile" approach is as much hype and marketing as it is any real tool for efficient use of time. But it is being pushed by way of closing off other approaches that are more appropriate for many people.

I, for one, would MUCH rather spend an extra hour in my office to do some things than spend half of my evening struggling with an unproductive approach to sorta kinda getting a little of it done. I simply don't see ever having a pocket-sized device replace a full-size computer (i.e. display, keyboard, pointing device - Interface aspects.) And I still have no need, much less desire, to be tracked by or stay in touch with everybody else remotely associated with my life (personal or professional.) My PDA is a handy, useful, and convenient extension of my "real" computer. I just want the tools I need and want for that, and they don't live in the cloud.

Just give me the option.

Thanks for the report, Hook! I agree - It has been a very successful experiment. Added knowledge and perspective is always a good thing, regardless of whether it suits a particular preconception. Sometimes it reveals a new path, sometimes it confirms the current path, sometimes it's a mix.

Good stuff, this!

[jigwashere]

Happy trails, Hook! I'm glad it's working out for you. Say hi to the family from all of us in the BH breakroom!

[brickman65]

Nice experiment Hook. You just described how I work every day. But like you said not everyone does or has the need for what I do.

Not that I think that they would ever do this, but I would like to see the US Carriers have some sort of tiered Data pricing. I mean not everyone needs/wants unlimited data. In this post , provided by AW, you see you can still be very connected and in-touch with little data usage and minimal cost.

I wonder if the above experiment could be pulled off with Palm OS (ie. Treo) The reason I wonder is that even when I had my 755P and I was using all the time I did not use 1/4 of the Data that I use with my iPhone.

[Antoine Wright]

It is not easy being mobile-phone productive. I've learned the lesson and keep relearning. Hearing others try and get lessons of their own is encouraging. And points to where development, sales, etc. needs to flow. Good stuff Hook. Good stuff.

@brickman - yea, Rita's lesson is indeed a good one. And something of a kick in the pants. She stays very productive w/Wi-Fi and in being mobile-centric. Part of that is cultural, but the rest is being persistent.

[Hook]

Nice experiment Hook. You just described how I work every day. But like you said not everyone does or has the need for what I do.

Not that I think that they would ever do this, but I would like to see the US Carriers have some sort of tiered Data pricing. I mean not everyone needs/wants unlimited data. In this post , provided by AW, you see you can still be very connected and in-touch with little data usage and minimal cost.

I wonder if the above experiment could be pulled off with Palm OS (ie. Treo) The reason I wonder is that even when I had my 755P and I was using all the time I did not use 1/4 of the Data that I use with my iPhone.

As long as it is a GSM Treo, yes, probably.

[jigwashere]

I wonder if the above experiment could be pulled off with Palm OS (ie. Treo) The reason I wonder is that even when I had my 755P and I was using all the time I did not use 1/4 of the Data that I use with my iPhone.

My data use on my 755p was about 1/2 what it is with the TP2. In my case, I think it's because I'm pulling in more information on each web page. Blazer just didn't pull in all the pictures, formatting, and web junk that Opera Mobile does. I'm also using RSS feeds which use more, too.