Core77’s Design Blog made me jump out of my skin yesterday:
Russian design company Maslov introduces USB-powered E-Paper, a programmable cardboard tablet that joins shortcut technology with good ol’ fashioned hand-written notes. Post-its recommended.
First reaction: OMGWTF!
Second reaction: Sweet Jeebus, don’t tell me that this is a fricking piece of cardboard with a USB cable attached.
Sadly, given that Maslov’s website is a flash slideshow of some admittedly-pretty cell phones and cardboard recyclable stuff, I have to regretfully conclude that my second impression seems to be true.
Although I’d love to be proved wrong.
It seems that, in the early 21st century, high-concept product design has morphed from magic blobject with an LCD glued on, which miraculously solves all your problems to magic paper with a USB cable crammed up its ass, which miraculously solves all your problems.
Progress. Of a sort.