If there’s one thing that winds me up more than anything else in software development is the misguided notion that new features equal innovation by default. This couldn’t be further from the truth.
Microsoft are a perfect example of this dichotomy. Each new version of a product they release includes tonnes of new features which will be of no use to 80% of users whilst at the same time making the product more difficult and obfuscated to use. Just look at all the toolbar and menu items available in Word for a perfect example.
Whilst radical innovation may include completely new ideas and concepts there is a clear distinction between this and simply adding new features for the sake of maintaining a false sense of progress and momentum. Apple understand this and hence produce products which are orders of magnitude easier to use than anyone else. Everything has clearly been well thought through and is joined up ~ using an Apple product is a pleasure rather than a chore.
At its core innovation is not about adding new features (although may sometimes include this); its about creation and improvement through research and experimentation to provide valuable user experiences. Concentrate on the critical core 20% of your service or application and make improvements there before you start bolting on new things (if ever). Careful thinking is always required to exploit new ideas and whilst this is an individual process many people simply don’t seem to get it.
In summary: change is good, change for change sake is not. Innovate, don’t obfuscate!
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After the initial glitches Apple had with their iPhone 3G launch and 2.0 software update launch last Friday settled down I was pleasantly surprised to find that, aside from all the new features, there are some pretty useful 3rd party applications already available and even better many are free.
One which particularly caught my eye is the Mandarin Audio Phrasebook made by Lonely Planet. While I usually take a phrasebook when I’m going somewhere I don’t speak the language to be honest I rarely use it. The problem I have with paper phrase books is that its a pain to find what you want quickly which is the majority of situations when you need it. This application goes some way to solving the issue by providing easily navigable contextual menus structured by helpful subjects like Transport, Accommodation, Food & Drink and so on which lead to searchable lists of useful phrases.
Each phrase includes an audio clip of it being spoken as well as the written form in both Chinese characters and the Pinyin (romanised) alternative. Now instead of having to flick through a paper based book looking for the right phrase you can very quickly find what you need to play it back or show whoever you need to communicate with. One cool enhancement would be to integrate this with something like Google Translate so you could get real-time translation of anything.
I’m looking forward to testing this in the field and hopefully brushing up on my very limited Mandarin!
Lonely Planet also have other phrasebooks available for the iPhone in a multitude of different languages, each priced at a reasonable £5.99.
P.s. if anyone’s interested in how I took screenshots above on an iPhone just hold the home button and press sleep - the screen will flash white for a moment and send the picture to your camera roll.
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What exactly is the definition of human in a society where a mind can be copied and the body replaced with a fully synthetic body? Where is the boundary between human and machine when the differences between the two become more philosophical than physical? Ultimately how do we define what it is to be human?
I’m not going to try and answer this today but these are the philosophical questions that form the basis of the futuristic manga and anime series ‘Ghost in the Shell‘ created by Masamune Shirow (first published in 1989). Whilst being nearly 30 years old the franchise is still alive and well with three movies, a TV series, game and trilogy of novels being spawned from it along with many aspects having slowly percolated into popular culture (it heavily inspired The Matrix).
With such a strong pedigree it’s rather worrying that Production I.G has sold the rights for a live-action movie to DreamWorks under the direction of none other than Steven Spielberg. For fans this is a pretty worrying development. Whist there is no denying Spielberg’s talent it’s an altogether different proposition when applying it to something like this, the main fear being that it will be severely dumbed down for a Hollywood audience.
If they can respect and stay faithful to the original maybe this has a chance but then again the likelihood of that is pretty low – the precedent is already pretty well established for ruining Asian cult classics.
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Before I head off to catch my flight to Seoul I thought I might share a few travel tips that I’ve picked up over the last few years. One thing which traveling has consistently taught me is that less is more when it comes to the amount you have to carry around. Trying to negotiate urban jungles or remote wildernesses with a heavy suitcase is a nightmare you’ll not want to repeat so packing light is a skill worth learning. As a general rule if there’s something you are unlikely to use then don’t take it ~ if you need something desperately when you’re out on the road buy or borrow it.
Here’s my general packing list of things I don’t leave home without:
- Documentation (passport, travel insurance, online bank codes, emergency contact numbers) + photocopies - essential items to keep with you at all times. Somewhat obvious perhaps but these can be life savers (as I have found out). If you have an accident or loose your wallet etc. you’re going to want these close to hand. Some people don’t bother about getting insurance but to my mind it’s not worth the small cost for the peace of mind - the last thing you want is to be landed with massive hospital bills.
- Maps (dual language) + guide book + phrase book - going somewhere is great but actually finding your way around is the tricky bit. Most guide books have maps in English which isn’t always so helpful when asking a local for directions if they can’t understand where you want to go! I recommend picking up a map when you arrive as you will be more likely to find one written in both languages. A phrase book never goes a miss but in most situations body language is going to be more helpful when trying to communicate.
- Camera + memory cards + small tripod - taking pictures is a part and parcel of most peoples holidays; whether you use a point and shoot or something a bit more professional be sure to pack enough memory, especially given the large files modern digi-cams produce. For even better pics I recommend a GorillaPod which is a small, ultra flexible tripod that can easily be carried around in a backpack.
- International power adapter - extremely useful if you’re caring around gadgets which need recharging. You can get all-in-one models which will fit most sockets around the world. Just be sure that whatever your plugging in uses the same voltage (it should usually be written on the plug).
- Multitool - I’ve often found having a multi-purpose tool to hand comes in very useful. Weather it be fixing you camera or just cutting up an apple you’ll be thankful you have it. I recommend the Leatherman Wave which has a good selection of blades, screwdrivers and full sized pliers. Don’t leave this in you hand luggage or you are likely to have a very unpleasant experience at the airport!
- First aid kit - for minor scrapes it’s always handy to have a few plasters to hand. If your prone to headaches or stomach upsets then its also worth taking along some medication as it can be hard to find what you want in a foreign pharmacy at short notice.
- iPod + book(s) - for long flights and airport transfers this is a must have. Even better if you have a modern iPod with video so you can watch the odd movie or TV show. Having a good long book is nice but can add a lot of weight so best avoid hardbacks!
- Unlocked phone - if you’re staying somewhere a long time or need to coordinate between friends in different locations having a mobile phone is an added bonus. Most airports will allow you to hire a phone for a modest fee but if you have your own then it can be even cheaper just to buy a pay-as-you-go SIM card.
- Light clothing - this obviously depends on the expected weather conditions. Most outdoor shops sell some pretty decent lightweight garments made of special fabric which is bacteria resistant and hence can be worn for longer. This of course can be taken to different extremes!
All this should fit in a moderately sized backpack - I use a Berghaus Freeflow 35+8 (43 litres) which has very good back support making for a more comfortable experience. Some more good advice on packing light here.
For times when you need to phone home but don’t have much cash for an international call try finding an internet cafe with Skype installed which will cost a fraction of the price than using an ordinary phone. If you’re ever in a country with restrictive internet access there are some simple ways around this.
I’ve also written about dealing with jet lag before.
What are your must-have travel essentials?
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