| Problem
Statement
A PC w/ multiple connected devices has user-experience problems associating
streams and devices and control data.
We need to make the PC as simple as consumer electronics devices without
losing the flexibility inherent in the PC.
Personas
We created a list of target personas against which to evaluate various
usage scenarios involving multiple connected devices.
Entry-level (or Mother-in-law)
- Not comfortable with computers
- Unfamiliar w/ terms and concepts
- Needs Simplicity
- Easily embarrassed
Gamer
- Tweaker
- Not usually audio literate
- Frame rate matters
Audiophile
- Buys high-end equipment
- Entrenched, not buying often
- Skeptical
- No compromises
- Relatively simple systems
Business user
- Voice mail
- I/M VOIP
- Mobility
Early adopter
- Knows technology
- Wiling to try unpolished products
- Influencer
Mass Market
- This is who we are trying to sell to
- Highly critical, low tolerance
- Responsive to marketing & influencers
- Likely to call for support
- Karaoke must be accommodated
Professional
- Turn key systems are popular
- No compromises
- Extremely complex systems
- Flexible system
- Plug-ins
- Obsolete quickly
- May include professional DJs
Prosumer/Entry-level content creator
- Solutions trickled-down from professional
- Most DJs are in this category
- Karaoke
New Metadata Needed (by priority)
We identified several new types of metadata needed to adequately describe
the information needed to simplify usability.
| Priority |
Metadata |
Association |
Who Provides? |
| 1 |
Stream Class |
Stream |
App writers |
| 2 |
Control Surface |
Stream |
Devices |
| 3 |
Clock Domain |
Stream |
Devices |
| 4 |
Device Location |
Dynamic |
Devices |
| 5 |
Location Identification |
Dynamic |
Metadata provider |
A Look Ahead
These are devices which will be attached to a PC.
| 2006 |
2008 |
MP3 Player
|
|
| Headphones |
|
| Headsets (wired & wireless) |
|
| Amplifier |
|
| Line level input |
|
| Microphone (3.5mm) |
|
| Microphone (XLR) |
|
| MIDI (both USB & awful DIN) |
|
| Phono cartridge |
|
| Camcorder |
|
| Control surfaces |
|
| Mobile phone |
|
| Speakers |
|
| TV Tuner |
|
| |
Integrated amplifiers |
| |
Network Connected TV |
| |
HDMI |
| |
Network connected transducers |
| |
RJ-11 Phone attach |
| |
Wireless phone |
How the PC Looks Today
How the PC Will Look Tomorrow
Recommendations
- Audio streams need usage metadata.
- Audio streams need clock domain metadata.
- Backchannel control surface information
- Wireless is coming. Many problems to solve specifically for wireless.
- Dynamic attach
- Dynamic location
- Develop a Crossbar/Broadcaster Module.
- This is a consumer of usage metadata.
- This is a consumer of clock domain metadata.
- One crossbar per connection nexus (i.e. PC)
- Applications should provide device-independent native streams.
- Devices should subscribe to stream class.
- Metadata providers are introduced into the architecture.
Action
Each named individual to deliver the attached recommendations back to
their respective companies. Group to meet by phone within 4 weeks after
getting internal feedback to assess the feasibility of building the system
as described; if feasible, develop a strategy for implementation and outreach
to affected technology provider communities as required.
section 4
|
previous
