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The author:(作者)归海一刀published in(发表于) 2014/6/1 9:15:55 Intelligent iPod designer hardware development： with love
Intelligent iPod designer hardware development: to love-smart hardware iPod-IT information Intelligent iPod designer hardware development: to love
Android Wear the iWatch, Sproutling, Nest to the heat transmission, intelligent hardware industry has entered the flourishing times. "Software is eaten hardware" the references don't look so fit people instincts of the hardware industry. But as an advocate of software design, yadangmaikebai (Adam MacBeth) believed that only provide an excellent end to end (end-to-end) product user experience, you might have users of all ages. Macbeth had to designers as part of the iPod, FiftyThree and Jawbone bracelet a smart pencil designs.
He said, "it is generally believed that through good industrial design and packaging will be able to launch change industry products, but that idea has not tried. Amazing industrial design has become the essential elements of an intelligent hardware. Really works for users is if you can provide the customer with an industrial design and the same excellent cross-device software system, which is no easy matter. ”
With the accelerated technological development, companies like Dragon Innovation for hardware production, supply chain and achieve a substantial reduction in the cost, and hundreds of hardware startup companies have sprung up in emerging. First Round Review business information website for Macbeth intelligent hardware how to hold people's hearts, how to create world-class products for the interview:
Manufacturing experience and not just a product
FiftyThree smart pencils were perceived in recent years one of the most aesthetic, one of the most revolutionary hardware works is not justified. Macbeth says, "it's all user experiences are designed around the way people work. You will find that the pencil there is no power button. When you tip it down in the corner on the iPad, it will automatically start working. Clever software design through connected devices and applications, this function can be realized. Multiple minor user experience similar to this were integrated into one device, the hardware will certainly stand out. ”
Your product should not be confined to a particular function. Macbeth says, "many of the company's hardware products on the market satisfies a basic need. Raise site is flooded with single function for wearable devices (think of watches, pedometers and the like). When there are more competitors come in, they move faster, they can provide more comprehensive set of hardware products. At this point, your company is in jeopardy. ”
"To be successful, your hardware needs software to help. ”
Macbeth says, "I have seen the most interesting devices are those elements of the physical world, integrated into the software of the device. You can do things on the program were very surprised. If you purchase a Tesla model s vehicle, you'll find its performance compared with six months ago there has been a pronounced improvement. This is due to software optimization to hardware performance for continuous improvement. This performance increase is already well beyond the user's previous forecast. ”
To be won under the present circumstances, the best way is to create a user connect multiple aspects of life in the software. He said, "this is the core of product differentiation. Beautiful industrial design is your minimum threshold for admission. You need different software with the right brand positioning, the right look and feel, as well as pertinent information together. If you can do all of these things, then I think you have all the elements of the next Apple or Tesla. The first time ever, outstanding start-up companies have achieved through excellent software talents to the challenge of the big opportunities. ”
Yet, for several reasons, to be successful is not easy:
· There is your product needs to have real needs.
· Your team needs to consist of multidisciplinary experts and be able to communicate seamlessly.
· Do you project to be processed in the course of technology, time and money constraints.
· On the premise of quality discount, you need to determine which jobs can be outsourced.
·, You need to make your product is both humane and practical engineering spent a lot of time and money.
For these practical difficulties, Macbeth shares his best practices. Hope this will help you develop a more than interesting and intelligent hardware market.
· To identify real problems to be addressed
· "The best new ideas exist in the real world and the junction of the software. ”
Sensor why get so much attention? This is one of the reasons. They allow us to collect data from the environment around, and then through the software to process these data. Low power wireless (Low-power radio) technology has also created a new category: the Internet of things. Which makes it possible to and around objects, realize our lives. Through the application of surrounding, we can save energy, increase the security of the home, our own environment more comfortable.
Macbeth says, "a first step, you should always observe which areas in the data? Which data can yield new opportunities? From this point of view, even if your starting point is very narrow and you may subsequently find out thousands of new directions. The key is, you have to think about what are the real needs of the people. ”
In General, people need ease of technology tools to help them reduce costs, increase, enhance the professional space, to help them upgrade their health status, and access to better quality of life. Type in search of useful new information, one of these human needs are for you the way.
Macbeth says, "I take a blood flow monitor technology as examples to back it up. "The Cue device through the blood and saliva samples were obtained by people's health standard. He said that "through this device, you can let people's medical costs and anxiety levels have dropped significantly. Since the corresponding sensor technology is already forming, you don't need to reinvent the chegulu. Through the software, you provide a high quality user experience for users, and of course, you won. ”
Once you've found a worthy question, you need to consider how your hardware through an end-to-end user experience to resolve any problems found. He said, "identifying those users are most difficult to deal with, or for the user the most challenging points. Identify opportunities for a you can provide users with the most value. On these points, integration between hardware and software had to be extremely close. ”
Let the tip touch screen to activate the device's mechanisms for Pencil users a very elegant to boot experience. In addition, the tablet can accurately identify writing tip and finger painting behavior when differences in value of system equipment. In both cases, work closely with software and hardware allows users to intuitively without the guidance will be able to start operation. Corresponding user experience that's as simple as writing with a pencil on the paper.
Hardware software team leadership development team
People to put it down to create a device, you will need to make more of the experts in the field of closer cooperation: user experience, sound design, industrial design, production, engineering, marketing, ... ... Your structure and clear communication is key. You absolutely can not consume energy in the wrong place.
First of all separate the engineering and manufacturing functions. Yes, in determining the design can be achieved within existing resources, they need to work together. However, you need to be clear is that both functional departments, skill sets and work rhythms are very different. Macbeth says, "when the manufacturing sector is also tackling a product, the Engineering Department may well be going to the next step. Don't let them offline at the same time working together. ”
Secondly, never let the hardware engineers as the leader of hardware design. This may surprise people. Macbeth says, "when you promote a product feature development, software teams should be allowed to assume leadership responsibilities. For users, the primary responsibility lies in the user experience pros and cons software team. "After determining the user experience you want to create, project leaders and staff in various fields working together to understand the possibilities. But in the end, should be employed by a software team to bring all the elements together and ensure the freshness of the product. They should apply the update with the firmware update, upgrade and supporting network services are always kept in sync.
Macbeth says, "I've seen start-ups are manufacturing team as team including software engineering, electrical engineering, engineering leadership team as a whole. No doubt, they end up launching products must have been a trivial, the commercialization of the product. ”
"The hardware is a multidisciplinary challenge, you need a multidisciplinary talent. ”
For hardware through software to achieve differentiation, Macbeth thinks it needs the support of a new technology skills. He believed that the skill will become the industry's most powerful skill set: "this man is a system-oriented software engineer, he should know how small the device power management, wireless signal and network communications, and so on. "The real problem is that such people are hard to find.
Macbeth says, "for start-up entrepreneurs, my suggestion is that you need to find an integrated talent. This recommendation applies equally for hardware companies. For those who understand the running mechanism of the human ecosystem as a whole, the project as a whole will be more easily controlled. For those who have a strong background in computer science for integrated talent, they can deal with any kind of software problem. ”
Limiting factors become less
In the covered physical product limit, clear communication is very key.
Macbeth says, "you'll encounter the limit categories: current state of technology to achieve what? How big is your endurance? Your level of what manufacturers can do? Most of the operations can be outsourced? Access to markets you need to spend a lot of time? "He said," there may be a wireless protocol will restrictions on the formation features of your product. You should make a list of a list of constraints and assess them. ”
In some cases, you are likely to get rid of obstacles to software. Indeed, addressing barriers of the result is the most advanced innovations that produce sources. Macbeth says, you come across limit people will encounter, if you can break you will get ahead.
Macbeth says, you should try to reduce the constraints of the circle smaller, "after trying to, you know it has loaded into the hard wall, you'll be able to take a step back from elsewhere looking for breakthrough innovation. ”
Dealing with constraints, Macbeth shows his killer: to ensure that everyone working for the same function. When different teams for wartime version coordination problems quickly arise. You can't allow this to happen. The product owner to control a single function, as functionality evolves, constantly upgrading it in a concentrated manner and should ensure that all team members understand that companies focus on ways to solve the problem.
In addition, Macbeth also spoke of the hardware is one of the weaknesses of the company control over the retail distribution chain. He said, you can't just keep an eye on the quality of our products, you have to take into account the retail and logistics chain.
Any constraints should be put in front of everyone's features and concentrate on solving the problem. Address constraints in a focused way, over time, your problems will continue to narrow. Previously faceless problems become quantifiable issues.
Macbeth says "hardware project lies in achieving a balance between the ideal vision and physical reality. ”
Not "outsourcing", please find a partner
Hardware startup how outsourcing is one of the often refers to Macbeth. Most start-ups do not have capacity to carry out large-scale production of hardware. At the same time, outsourcing costs have reached an unprecedented low level.
Outsourcing, Lady Macbeth says, "you can't simply as outsourcing outsourcing. The way you should be looking for partners looking for outsourcing firms. ”
If you find a partner to understand your product, your budget and your availability requirements, your company will be very good. In this case, you should be outsourcing business as soon as possible, because you can look at product molding process and the ability to apply adjustments made in the development process.
As time goes on, when you grow and attract more cross-cutting talents afterwards, you can gradually get the outsourced functions back into his hands. If possible, you should be able to keep important part of autonomous control ability of the business to enhance these links.
Think like a man
You may think it's crap, isn't it, Macbeth says, it's not nonsense.
He said, "the purpose of technology is to serve humanity and not the other. A good product is not based on the functional development. For hardware products, it is more important. Because we are talking about people in the physical world interact with every day. Touch of your product must be done well and blend into everyday life as a whole. ”
Keep in mind that the objects were of sentimental value . Macbeth says, "people buy the device is really, really going to fall in love with them. If you want to create a device that people really like, ugly must not be tolerated . Before the product is released, you must be able to achieve human level entirely candid. If things get inside look human enough these shortcomings in the listing will be magnified a hundredfold. User is not going to keep their critical voices, they will vote with their feet. ”
Software has become a new dimension for user to judge product quality. Create products meant for a human to provide all their daily interaction with products. These devices may be computers, cell phones, flat-panel, or cars. Macbeth says, "when you set your product vision, you need a thorough consideration of the user's daily life, think about them every day, every moment. What they are doing? At any point using your product, what are their expectations for your products? ”
The good news is, the software can make human demand-oriented development easier. Your software on the hardware's influence, your products are more likely to meet the human needs of users. He said, "the case of Tesla, it has great hardware certainly contains many innovations, but Tesla is actually a giant through the software firmware upgrade became a running car on the highway. ”
"Best products is the ability to remove the burden of humanity. They would say, ' put that burden to me. ’”
Macbeth says, "this software can bring about unexpected things. Some of the questions I often ask is: ' Why can't we do this thing for users? Why do users have to do such moves? Why can't it be done for them? ' We are more concerned about the user will create a better user experience. When technology components more after being hidden in the background, your product and the natural human life one step closer. ”
iPod设计师谈智能硬件开发：要有爱 - 智能硬件,iPod - IT资讯iPod设计师谈智能硬件开发：要有爱
从Android Wear、Sproutling、Nest到热传的iWatch，智能硬件行业进入了百花齐放的时代。“软件正在吃掉硬件”这个提法看上去不太符合人们对硬件行业的直觉。但作为软件先行设计方式的倡导者，亚当麦克白（Adam MacBeth）认为，只有在提供了出色的端对端（end-to-end）用户体验后你的产品才可能获得用户的青睐。麦克白曾经以设计师的身份参与了iPod、Jawbone手环和FiftyThree智能铅笔的设计工作。
他说，“人们普遍认为通过优秀的工业设计和封装就能够推出改变行业现状的产品，但这个理念已经不再试用了。因为不可思议的工业设计已经成为智能硬件的必备要素。真正对用户起作用的是你能否向客户提供一个和工业设计同样优秀的跨设备软件系统，而要把这件事做成绝非易事。”
随着技术发展加速，像Dragon Innovation这样的公司让硬件的生产、供应链和渠道费用实现了大幅降低，成百上千的硬件初创企业犹如雨后春笋般的涌现出来。创业信息网站First Round Review对麦克白就智能硬件如何抓住人们的心，如何创造出世界级的产品进行了专访：
制造体验而不仅仅是产品
FiftyThree的智能铅笔被人们认为是近年来最具美感、最具革命性的的硬件作品之一并非是没有理由的。麦克白说，“全部的用户体验都是围绕着人们如何开展工作的方式而设计的。你会发现，这款铅笔根本就没有电源按钮。当你把笔尖压在iPad的角上时，它会自动开启工作。通过连接设备和应用的巧妙的软件设计，这一功能得以实现。类似这样的多个细微用户体验被整合到了一个设备中，这款硬件当然会脱颖而出。”
你的产品不应局限于某种特定的功能。麦克白说，“市面上的很多公司推出的硬件产品只是满足了某项基本需求。众筹网站上充斥着单一功能的可穿戴设备（请想想手表、计步器之类的）。当有体量更大的竞争对手进来时，他们的动作更快、他们的可以提供功能更为全面的硬件产品。这时，你的公司就岌岌可危了。”
“要想成功，你的硬件需要软件的助力。”
麦克白说，“我见到最为有意思的设备是那些将物理世界里的元素整合到软件中的设备。你会对程序能做到的事情感到非常吃惊的。如果你今天购买一辆特斯拉S型车的话，你会发现它的性能比半年之前发生了显著的提升。这是由于软件的优化让硬件的性能获得了持续不断的提升。这种性能提升的速度已经大大超出了用户先前的预期。”
要想在目前的环境下胜出，最好的方式就是创造出一个能够将用户生活中的多个方面进行连接的软件体验。他说，“这是产品差异化的核心。漂亮的工业设计只是你入场的最低门槛。你需要将差异化的软件与正确的品牌定位、合适的外观和感觉以及恰当的信息传递结合在一起。如果你能够做到所有这些点，那么我认为你就具备了成为下一个苹果或特斯拉的一切元素。有史以来第一次，优秀的初创企业具备了通过优秀的软件人才即可实现对巨头挑战的机会。”
但基于多个原因，要想成功尚非易事：
• 人们对于你的产品需要有真实的使用需求。
• 你的团队需要由跨领域的专家组成并且能够无缝沟通。
• 你的项目在开展的过程中要处理技术、时间和资金方面的限制因素。
• 在品质打折的前提下，你需要确定哪些工作可以外包。
• 你需要在使得你的产品兼具人性化和实用性的工程设计上花费大量的时间和资金。
对于这些现实的困难，麦克白分享了他心目中的最佳实践方式。希望这些能够帮你开发出一款不仅仅是有趣而且能够市场化的智能硬件。
• 找出真正的问题加以解决
• “最佳的新点子就存在于现实世界和软件的交界处。”
传感器为什么获得了那么多的注意？这就是原因之一。他们使得我们能够从周边环境收集数据然后通过软件对这些数据进行处理。低能无线（Low- power radio）技术也已经创造了一个新的品类：物联网。这使得我们能够和生活中周围的物体实现交流。通过环绕四周的应用，我们可以实现节能、增加住所安全性、让我们自己的环境更加舒适。
麦克白说，“第一步，你始终都应该观察有哪些领域在产生着数据？哪些数据能够带来哪些新的机遇？从这一步出发，即便你的出发点非常狭窄，你也很可能会在随后发现成千上万的新方向。关键在于，你要思考人们的真实需求是什么。”
一般而言，人们需要技术手段帮助他们降低成本、增加便利度、帮助他们提升健康状况、提升职业空间以及获得更好的生活质量。在搜寻有用的新信息种类时，这些人类需求是为你指路的不二法门。
麦克白说，“我以一项进行血流监控的技术作为例子来说明一下。”这款名为Cue的设备能够通过对血液和唾液取样而让人们的健康水准获得优化。他说，“通过这款设备，你可以让人们的体检成本和焦虑程度都大幅下降。由于相应的传感器技术早已成型，你根本不需重新发明车轱辘。通过软件，你为用户提供了优质的用户体验，当然，你就获得了胜利。”
一旦你找到了一个有价值的问题，你就需要考虑如何以硬件通过端对端的用户体验来解决掉所发现的问题。他说，“确定出那些用户最难解决的点或者对用户而言最有挑战性的点。确定出你能够为用户提供最大价值的机会点。在这些点上，硬件和软件之间的整合必须做到极为紧密。”
让笔尖接触屏幕来激活设备的机制为Pencil的用户提供了非常优雅的开机体验。另外，平板电脑能否准确识别出笔尖和手指的在写画时的行为差别也体系了设备的价值。在两种情况下，软件和硬件的紧密配合可以让用户在没有指导的情况下凭直觉就能上手操作。相应的用户体验就和在纸上用铅笔写字一样的简单。
让软件团队领导硬件开发团队
要想创造一款让人爱不释手的设备，你需要让多个领域的专家紧密合作：用户体验、音效设计、工业设计、生产、工程、市场营销……你的架构和清晰的沟通是关键之所在。你绝对不可以把能量消耗在错误的地方。
首先，请将工程和制造功能部门分离。是的，在确定设计工程能否在现有资源下实现时他们需要在一起合作。但是，你必须清楚的是，这两个功能部门的技能组合和工作节奏是非常不同的。麦克白说，“当制造部门还在攻坚一个产品时，工程部门很可能已经走到下一步了。不要让他们在同一个时间线下一起工作。”
第二，永远不要让硬件工程师作为硬件设计的领导者。这一点可能让人感到吃惊。麦克白说，“在推进一项产品的功能开发时，应该让软件团队担负领导的责任。对于用户而言，用户体验优劣程度的主要责任人应该在于软件团队。”在确定了想要创造的用户体验之后，项目的领导人应该和各个领域的员工通力合作以了解相应的可能性。但是在最后，应该由软件团队将所有的要素整合在一起并确保产品的新鲜度。他们应该与固件更新、应用更新和支持性的网络服务始终保持同步升级。
麦克白说，“我看见过有初创公司让制造团队作为包括软件工程、电器工程团队在内的整体工程领导团队。没有疑问，他们最终推出的产品一定是一个琐碎的、商品化的产品。”
“硬件行业是一个多学科的挑战，你需要多学科的人才。”
对于硬件通过软件来实现差异化，麦克白认为这需要一套新技术技能的支持。他认为这项技能将成为行业内最有力的技能组合：“这个人是面向系统的软件工程师，他应该懂得小型设备的电源管理、无线信号和网络通信等等。”现实的问题是，这样的人很难找到。
麦克白说，“对于初创企业家，我的建议是你需要找到一个综合性人才。对于硬件公司这项建议同样适用。对于那些了解整个生态系统运行机制的人来说，对项目的整体把控会更加容易一些。对于那些拥有深厚计算机科学背景的综合性人才来说，他们足以应对任何类型的软件问题。”
让限制因素变得更弱一些
在了解产品所涉及的物理限制时，清晰的沟通显得非常关键。
麦克白说，“你一定会遇到的限制有这么几类：目前的技术水平能实现什么？你自身的承受力有多大？你的制造商能做到什么程度？多大部分的业务可以外包？进入市场你需要花费多少时间？”他说，“有时候，可能一个无线协议就会对你的产品形成功能的限制。你应该先列出一个限制因素的清单并对它们做出评估。”
有些时候，你是有可能解决掉软件方面的障碍的。事实上，解决障碍的结果也正是大多数超前式创新的产生来源。麦克白表示，你遇到的限制别人也会遇到，如果你能突破你就获得了领先地位。
麦克白说，你应该尽可能的把限制因素的圈子缩的更小，“在尽力之后，你意识到已经装到了硬墙，你就可以后退一步从其他地方寻找创新的突破口。”
对于处理限制因素，麦克白给出了他的杀手锏：要确保每个人都在为了同一个功能而工作。当不同的团队各种为战时，版本协调的问题就会迅速出现。你不能允许这种情况出现。产品负责人应该对单个功能进行控制，随着功能的演进，应该以集中的方式对其进行不断的升级并且应该确保所有的团队成员都明白公司集中解决问题的做事方法。
另外，麦克白还谈到硬件公司的弱项之一是对零售与物流环节的控制。他说，你不能只盯着产品的品质，你要考虑到零售和物流的环节。
所有的限制因素都应该成为放在公司每个人面前的功能问题并集中精力加以解决。在以集中的方式处理限制因素后，假以时日，你所面临的功能问题将会不断缩窄。以前面目不清的问题也会变成可以量化的问题。
麦克白说，“硬件项目在于在理想的愿景和物理的现实之间实现平衡。”
不要“外包”，请找个合作伙伴
硬件初创如何进行外包是麦克白经常提到的问题之一。多数的硬件初创都没有进行规模化生产的能力。同时，外包的成本已经达到了前所未有的低水平。
对于外包，麦克白说，“你不能把外包单纯的看做外包。你应该以寻找合作伙伴的方式去寻找外包厂商。”
如果你找到的合作伙伴理解你的产品、你的预算和你的供货需求，你公司的情况就会非常好。在这种情况下，你应该尽可能早的把业务进行外包，因为你可以看着产品的成型过程并且能够在开发过程中进行实施调整。
随着时间的推移，当你的规模增长并且吸引到更多的跨领域人才之后，你可以逐渐的把外包出去的功能收回自己的手里。可能的话，你应该尽快的把重要的环节转为自主运营以提高对这些环节的把控能力。
像人类一样思考
你可能认为这不是废话吗，麦克白说，这真的不是废话。
他说，“科技的目的在于服务于人类而非其他。好的产品不是基于功能开发的。对于硬件产品而言，这更加重要。因为我们谈论的是人们每天在物理世界中与其进行互动的产品。你的产品必须做的触感良好并能和日常生活环境融为一体。”
请记住，物体是具有情感价值的。麦克白说，“人们买了设备之后是真的、真的会爱上它们的。如果你想要创造出一款人们真的喜欢的设备，丑陋是决不可被容忍的。在产品发布之前，你必须能够做到对产品的人性化程度完完全全的坦诚。如果在公司内测的时候都显得不够人性化的话，这些缺点在上市之后将会被放大百倍。用户是不会保留他们批评的声音的，他们会用脚投票。”
软件已经成为了用户对产品质量进行评判的新维度。为人类创建产品就意味着为他们所有的日常互动提供产品。这些设备可能是电脑、手机、平板或者汽车。麦克白说，“在你设定产品愿景的时候，你需要彻底的思考用户的日常生活，思考他们的每一天、每一刻。他们在干什么？在使用你产品的任何时点上，他们对你产品的期望值是什么？”
好消息是，软件可以让面向人性需求的开发更加容易。你的软件对硬件所具备的影响力越大，你的产品就越有可能符合用户的人性化需求。他说，“以特斯拉为例，它巨大的硬件设施当然包含了众多创新，但特斯拉实际上是通过软件把一块巨大的固件提升成为了一款可以在高速公路上运行的汽车。”
“最好的产品是能够去掉人类负担的。他们会说，‘把那个重担交给我把。’”
麦克白说，“这是软件能够带来的不可思议的东西。我经常问的一些问题是：‘我们为什么不能为用户做这件事？为什么用户不得不做这样的动作？为什么我们不能替他们完成？’我们越是关心用户就越能产生更好的用户体验。当技术的成分更多的被隐匿在背景里之后，你的产品就和自然的人类生活更近了一步。”
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