Unfortunately this isn’t a how to guide for linking photo albums on Facebook. The functionality to link currently isn’t available. This is all about how it could work, in theory.

1. Photo Albums

Photo albums can be added within Facebook, and the sharing properties of these can be set to allow friends, friends of friends, everyone or a customised set of people based on lists and specific names. This is brilliant, and all very well and good.

2. EXIF Data in Cameras

The next step, which I think would make photo albums more interactive, would be to link photo albums.  By using the EXIF data within a photograph, which is automatically recorded to the photo file on digital cameras and kept within the file as it’s uploaded, the exact timestamps between photographs can be assessed.

3. Functionality of Linking Albums

This data can be used to string multiple photos together from different people in a linked photo album. Provided that the times on the cameras are nearly synchronised, it could provide a better and more complete chronological view of a day, event, party or night out from plenty of different angles and viewpoints, heights and styles of photography.

I see the opportunity to merge multiple people’s photo albums and bring an overall view of one holiday or event. The overall photo album with mixed photos would make for a much better viewing experience.

So, Facebook, is this your next big new feature? It could be awesome!

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The end of the year usually gets me thinking about the future and this year is no different. Current technology and the demands for unique content seems to be growing at an ever increasing pace, and nothing shows this more than the accelleration of mobile devices with their app stores. Apple iPhone App Store, Google Android Market, Blackberry App World, Nokia Ovi Store, and everyone else who is following suit at the moment. But where does this app business all lead? And what does it get us?

The manufacturers have provided and are building on the platforms, and it’s up to the users to create the content, for themselves or for other users. The greatest solutions and answers permiate their way to the surface and become the most well known and widely used.

So, what does the future hold for the app?

The movies depict a future of robots being delivered to our houses, as in iRobot or A.I. and arriving as a close representation of our human selves, capable of everything we can throw at them. Capable of cooking, cleaning, administering medication, mending and making things… but how long would the development and perfection of all of these things take? How long would the development of all the apps in the iPhone store have taken if Apple developed them all before the release of the iPhone? Well, probably a lot longer than it has taken.

Perhaps all we need is numerous organisations to develop the framework, build the platforms, invent the language and create the rules which can be the blank canvas for others to use as a test bed onto which they can throw their ideas. Robot owners can download their applications, test and rate them and provide feedback. Survival of the fittest.

A competitive environment similar to the app store environment of the moment, but with robots and applications which use their motor and processing capabilities, will throw up interesting results.

So, what will happen for the future? How long will it be before robots are available to everyone, like mobile devices are today. Will there even be a time when everyone has their own personal robot assistant? Only time will tell!

Photo by alliewiki

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I’ve been using my HTC Hero, which is powered by Google Android, for a few months now and really like the jump i’ve taken from my previous Sony Ericsson K810i. It’s quite interesting to use something with such a technology jump, and it’s amazing how easily I have become used to the advances. But there are a few things I would change…

I gladly accept the fact that I can check where I am with GPS and google maps, send twitter updates from the train, broadcast video live on the move, check my emails and upload a picture of what’s in front of me straight to facebook.

But there are a few things which I believe could come in handy in future iterations. These mainly lie under the category of the predictive text. The predictive text simply improves the likelyhood of typing sensible sentences by guessing what the word should be when various letters are pressed in sequence.

In comparison to traditional keys which are physical, where one can touch the key to locate a finger or thumb, and then press the key in two separate actions, the use of a touch screen forces a locate and confirm in one action. This, some might argue, enforces a greater reliance on improved predictive text, as opposed to traditional keyboards which require no predictive text at all.

So, what needs to be improved?

1. Improve hardware spec
2. Additional or subtrational letters within words
3. Optional spaces

Due to hardware issues and the occasional slowdown, the phone often thinks that the keys are pressed for longer than they actually are. This leads to a number or symbol appearing within a word and the predictive text stumbles. Symbols and numbers should be interchangeable with letters within the predictive text.

Additional letters are often pressed by accident or missed out altogether. The preictive text within the HTC Hero should give additional options based upon adding or subtracting letters.

Spaces are critical to a sentence. I will often type two words, one after another without spaces in between. It would be nice if the Android predictive text would offer two-word alternatives when two words are typed next to each other.

So, there we have it, a few worthy upgrades to the Android / HTC Hero predictive text system. Probably, all of which have been addressed in versions of Android above 1.5. Roll on the next version, please!

Photo by Patrick He

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I recently found this 15 minute TED talk about Charles and Ray Eames, in a talk by their grandson, Eames Demetrios. It’s a very short overview of the design thinking which Charles Eames adopted in his work. A very short overview of something which i found very interesting to read in a book I have – The Work of Charles and Ray Eames: A Legacy of Invention.

Unfortunately the video isn’t very long and only a short glimpse, but it’s worth while if only to catch a glimpse of the Polaroid SX-70 Land Camera in one of the videos. The video can be played using the embedded version above, or found on TED.com here: Talks The design genius of Charles + Ray Eames.

Related posts:

1. Less and More: The Design Ethos of Dieter Rams at The Design Museum