Watches in the Wild

Wearables in an environment highly influenced by Silicon Valley.

Interviewing: 

Interviewee 1

Mid-20’s Bioengineer living an active and social life.

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During the interview, this man said that he wished he had a phone when out camping or when his phone was out of battery. Trying to push him toward a smart phone connected device, I asked, “when was a time you wanted to look at your phone but had your hands full.” He replied, by saying it’s mostly when he’s doing something active like biking or when he’s in a social setting where pulling out a phone would be rude. He then went on to say that it would be nice to just see why his phone vibrated or notified him. I then asked, “what would you see yourself inventing in order to see these notifications.” He replied saying he would like a watch since it’s discreet enough but large enough to display information. He said in an active situation like biking, it would be able to show him what the notification was for. In a social setting, he would be able to see if the notification was important, i.e. a phone call from his family. I then asked him to dream big, what if the watch could be more than just a screen to display notifications. He said when he’s camping or hiking, he’d like a watch because it just sits on his wrist. It would be able to give him a compass and altimeter. The interesting thing about this man as the way he wore his watch. It was backwards on his wrist; the face of the watch was on the underside of his wrist instead of on top like most people wear watches. After asking why, I learned that it was because the watch dug into his wrist when he biked; the watch was just too thick and bulky to be comfortably worn normally when riding a bike.

Distilling the interview:

After talking to him, I learned that a watch must be comfortable. It’s hard to wear if the watch causes discomfort. I also distilled that he’d mostly use his watch as an information viewer with little to no action.

Interviewee 2:

Early-20’s product designer working for a start-up in Mountain view

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During this interview, it was great talking to a designer. He was focused on the appearance of a smart watch. To start the interview I asked, “when was the last time he wanted to get his phone but could.” In response, he said when he was in bed and his phone was charging; cables are just too short. I then asked, how would he see himself viewing this information. He said I watch. Being younger and more in tune with modern technology I found this to make sense. He said He wanted a watch that he could wear all the time and it would just be a watch. He wanted it to disappear when it wasn’t needed and when he did need it, it would be quick to glance at. He’d like a classic looking watch; something analog that looked like a normal watch but showed notifications and set reminders. He wanted an app to show him what type of notification it was and whether he needed to take action right at that moment.

Distilling the Interview:

After this interview, I learned that the watch should be fashionable and discreet. It shouldn’t scream smart watch but actually just be a watch that happened to show notifications. Comfort and durability would be important too if it were to be worn all the time.

Brainstorming:

Ideas

1. Notification Center: Use the watch as a way to check what kind of notification you're getting. If it's an important email, I should take out my phone; if it's Facebook, I can probably wait.
2. Clock app: Simulates an analog watch that shows notification icon in the center when raising wrist. Discreet to the world while still giving you insight to why your phone buzzed.
3. Altimeter app: Targeted to hikers and campers. Altitude changes can be dangerous to your life. Water boils at a lower temperature and air gets thinner. App provides tips on how to deal with these altitude changes.
4. Compass app: Doesn't require data. A simple way to get your direction while lost in the woods. Chances are you don't have reception. Maps won't work so let's go back to the basics.
5. Mapping System: Great for when biking. Gives you the next direction right on your wrist and is always accessible. Gives you estimated time of arrival, how fast you should be moving to get to your destination on time, and your current speed.
6. Pedometer and heart rate monitor: For the health geek or exercise guru. Great to make sure you're maintainer the idea heart rate for your workout and doesn't require a strap around your body.
7. Voice recorder: Keep track of the meeting without pulling out a giant recorder. Or when you just want to be discreet and ninja.
8. Camera app: Requires watch to be a bit bulkier but camera doesn't need to be of highest quality. Again in a social setting, pulling our your camera might not be acceptable but if you want to be sneaky about taking a picture, a watch is a good alternative.
9. News app: Get breaking news on your wrist. For those who are always commuting.
10. Reminder scheduler: Get rid of your notifications, remind you about notifications in a couple hours, or view now. Great for the forgetful types or those who just want a way to manage life.
11. Transit app: Give bus or train times when near a stop. For the commuters, an easy way to check for times.
12. Weather forecast: For those too busy to check the weather and plan their outfit of the day. Morning notification and article of clothing suggestions.

My Choice:

Reminder Schedule

All too often in a busy life style, one goes to check a notification, deems it important enough for a response, but is too busy at the moment, so one makes a mental note to respond: that response never gets sent or even thought of in about 15 minutes. An app targeted at those with just too much on their mind and for good reason.

Prototyping:

Ideas

• Watch when no notifications
• Swipe gestures to work with small screens
• Big readable blocks
• Get rid of notification
• Remind me 'x' amount of time
• View on phone now: Important!

Prototype

Feedback:

• "Would like analog watch to be present at all times"
• Notifications should come up when user raises wrist instead
• Notifications could also just be a drop down to the watch like on a phone
• Tapping should give preview of notification
• Swiping is confusing without instruction
• When selecting time for remind me later, it'd be cool to just spin the hands of the clock instead of scrolling through a digital clock