Is smaller always the better?

It seems that the computing devices are getting smaller in their physical size and yet there is a converging trends that they are getting more features such as being mobile phone, camera, PDA, personal entertainment system. For example, the Samsung a970 shows here on the left is capable of [from Gizmodo]

capable of receiving multimedia content like 3D games, music videos, and other kinds of programming. It also features Bluetooth, a 2-megapixel camera with 2x optical zoom (plus video cam), an MP3 player, a T-flash memory card slot, a 262k colour screen, and VoiceMode, a speech-to-text technology.

From Engadget: No doubt there are mobile phones which also can run the kind of applications we usually found on "PC", such as Nokia 6803 which

Symbian 9.1 + UIQ 3 platform and appears to feature a 1.3 megapixel camera with flash, SD slot, MP3 player, QVGA touchscreen, and weighs-in at 5.3 ounces.

or Lenovo ET980 with 4 megapixel camera and Windows Mobile.

Two major limitations of small devices are (1) the difficulty of processing of complex information due to its limited screen size and (2) hand-sized interaction inputs.


I would like to have several paper-thin full colour devices with touch screen capability so that I can write and make notes on the display (just like paper, but of course processed digitally like a computer). These devices are networked together so that the information marked on one can be transferred to another, including my notes etc. My main notepad, any one of these, will accept my voice input as well as typing via the tiny keys wear on my fingers (so that I don't need a keyboard). These little keys have track balls built-in as well serving also as mouses when I slide my finger(s) over my desk.

Such a set-up would enable me to process and utilize several complex information with smaller cognitive load on my temporary memory (which can be used for more meaningful task) and with sufficient display resolution. The input devices I wear on my hand (and fingers) would provide a comfortable interface for prolong work.

Is there anyone out there designing such a set-up today?

Tags: work+environment