If it could make a panini, that would be a bonus, too.

I was at dinner tonight with some friends and we, predictably, began discussing the features of the iPhone. Everyone agreed in the end that it looks to be great, with the obvious hesitations (Cingular, price, can it be insured?, battery replacement). By far my personal favorite feature is the Multi-Touch screen. I'm not as excited about it on teh phone as for the potential for future variations of that.

From day one in my graphic design I have been bothered by the input barrier put between the user and the computer. Only when we can tactilely and immediately affect the screen – as we would the real world – will designers take further leaps in productivity and, indirectly, creativity. I'm imagining a 30-40 inch platform where you can maneuver objects around as you would if they were in front of you. This is not a new idea: See here.

Of course, the phone will be great, but I'm more looking towards future, more helpful uses for the technology. Oh, and I think they will print money with this thing, as has been said before.

UPDATE: Read this Macworld article for more potential flaws. I don't like that this is a closed operating system one bit.

The plight of the (nearly) 40-year-old gamer.

So I got a Nintendo DS for Christmas from Jimmy. It is a little slice of heaven. I went out and bought some new games for it – enough to keep me busy for awhile and they are terrific. It all just works well and is a blast to use. HOWEVER...

It brought me to a funny place. I feel insecure about being this old (37) and playing games like a 14-year-old. not wanting to feel guilt because it makes me have to crap, I made efforts to parse the feeling. With a little backtracking I realized it happened shortly after several people asked me a question.

"Do you do anything but play games?" Geez. I hope that is already clear, but here we go.

Three points, all of which put me at risk of sounding a little defensive:

1.) Some learn numbers. Some know people well. My job in life is to learn tools. I do it on many, many fronts, with gaming being the least accepted of the bunch. At the moment I am playing the DS and the Wii (two incredibly innovative tools), learning to sew on a machine AND by hand, learning how to construct and present sushi, learning to handle a culinary knife, teaching myself to be a better illustrator, organizing my home, learning Movable Type and carrying a full time job as a graphic designer. In the past I have mastered OSX, A/V systems, cleaning tools, graphic design hand tools, woodworking tools (Ugh.), my treo and the PS2.

There is a lot to pack into life. If I could not sleep and still feel good I wouldn't get a wink. I imagine a world of every day learning something and taking naps between. All at your own pace, all in your own interest. Some people travel, some work – I learn new tools and languages with my husband.

2.) Video games are efficient. They are a direct line to stress relief for me. I work hard and my brain breaks every day. Rather than get all jiggy, I hit electronic rabid rabbits with plungers.

3.) I like playing games.

How about those printed solar panels?

10 Tech Concepts for 2007 (Popular Mechanics via Slashdot)

This was really interesting read and one which I would find at the beginning of every year. New technologies and the level at which they might impact us in the coming year. A couple stand out:

1. Printed Solar Panels : LOW IMPACT Next step is an energy-generating pair of jeans or solar roofing tiles. Nothing but good can come from this.

2. Plasma Arc Gasifiction: LOW IMPACT (2009) Superheated trash with helpful by-products. Bring it. Build on the craters left by the landfills and do it right.

3. Data Clouds: HIGH IMPACT On it. I can see this one being huge for us in the next year. Ubiquitous data is everything. And it has arrived.

What's your most exciting tech for 2007, whether on or off this list?

Kelvin Kelley's Cool Tools

This is a plug for a site I frequently visit, Cool Tools. It has a rundown of mostly helpful, well-made and super value products and services. In my quest to dsign my life as a simple, effective and cheap machine, I've been scouring and gleaning from Cool Tools for several years. A couple of successful conversions:

Surefire G2 (Buy the battery 12-pack, too.)
Gorillapod (UPDATE: It broke. The plastic just sheared off with little pressure on it. Not really recommended.)
Gorilla Ladder
and not something I bought, but encouraged me to get the catalog: Duluth Trading Company Presentation Twill Jacket

Please comment on anything you find there which you think would be of use. It is a great – and from what I can tell, uninfluenced by sponsorship – site to visit regularly.

Little Tip fer ya #1

Perhaps I'm not seeing well and this was in another release, but I just noticed that iTunes 7.0.1 has the downloads listed below your shopping cart while you are still downloading. It is always the subtle things that turn up in downloads that make me the most satisfied.

Go ahead and download a Podcast and feel the magic happen.

I'd better find something to do while this downloads...

I will not wait this long for anyone. Anyone at all. According to my calculations, I will be waiting 230,982 years. Sexy.