Samah Dada
Sociology 166
October 4, 2013
Assignment #2: Will It Be Adopted?
Product: “Photograph Yourself Arm for Phones”
Source: Japan Trend Shop
Photos: (courtesy of Japan Trend Shop)
Product Summary: This product is one that allows the user to
photograph themselves from a point that surpasses an arm’s length. Often,
mobile phone users (and especially those with iPhones) utilize the camera lens
on the front of the phone in order to capture photos of themselves without
having to ask a second or third party to take the photo. However what this
technology allows is the freedom to do so while simultaneously capturing more
than just a close-up shot of the face; this close-up is typically what the
front lens of an iPhone solely allows. The product itself consists of an
extendable pole with a phone holder. It works with iPhones as well as other Smartphones,
digital devices, and cameras. It weighs 178 grams.
Will it Be Adopted?: In a society that appears to be growing
more materialistic and self-obsessed, this product is likely to be adopted.
This adoptability can be examined in terms of relative advantage, compatibility, adaptability (re-inventability), and
observability.
Relative Advantage: Relative advantage is defined as whether or
not a technology is perceived to be an improvement or replacement of an
existing technology. This technology will attempt to be an improvement on the
front camera lens of Smartphones, and especially iPhones, that we are seeing
today. This front camera lens is used often by those who would like to capture
a photo of themselves by themselves or with others in the frame. The existing
front camera lens essentially allows users to avoid asking strangers on the
street, or other parties to take a picture of them; instead they can simply
take the photo themselves. However, with the current front camera lens on
phones, there are limitations; the depth of the shot is very small,
consequently only allowing headshots to be taken with the lens. The “Photograph
Yourself Arm” would allow users to take a photo of themselves and their
companions with more than just their heads in the frame. It would allow
individuals to efficiently take photos of themselves without having to trouble
strangers. This is an improvement on convenience, efficiency, and time. Often
it takes time to explain to strangers how to operate the camera, and the end
result may not be a decent photo anyways. This technology thus allows the user
to control the photo and its contents.
Compatibility: When a technology appears to be consistent with
the values, beliefs, and norms of a system, it is said to be compatible. The
more compatible a technology is, the faster it will be adopted. The “Photograph
Yourself Arm” caters to society in the sense that it is compatible with the
materialistic, self-centered attitudes that seem to be prevalent among many. We
are a society who places a great deal of emphasis on presence within social
media as a symbol of status; a major part of this presence on social media is
the ability to take, exhibit, and share photos from our respective lives. This
may be for personal fulfillment, or to merit the comments and “likes” from
friends, family, and even strangers. Thus, the “Photograph Yourself Arm” allows
users to take photos in a way that has not been done before, increasing the
frequency of the photo taking and the amount of photos created and
disseminated. However strange the technology may appear as a prototype, it
would simply mould into society just as taking iPhone photos using the front
camera lens. It has become socially and culturally acceptable and this
technology allows for a way to expand this existing technology further.
Adaptability: A technology can be called adaptable if it is
able to be re-invented in a way that serves a new purpose or environment. While
this technology states that it is a “Photograph Yourself Arm for Phones,” it
can also be considered a generalist technology. This is due to the fact that
the dimensions of the holder can adapt to fit multiple Smartphones, cameras,
and handheld video devices. While initially viewed as a technology that extends
the photographic capabilities of an iPhone’s front lens, it can also be
utilized to take videos and regular camera pictures, thus making it a
generalist and adaptable technology.
Observability: The observability of a technology has a great
deal to do with whether or not results can be seen at a fast pace. Many
preventative technologies such as CPR or vaccinations have a low observability
because it is difficult to pinpoint and see results right away, however this is
the opposite for the “Photograph Yourself Arm.” This technology is simply an
extension of a technology that is already successful. It addresses the issue of
not being able to effectively capture the photographer; once it succeeds in
doing so, then the results will be seen in a manner that is as quick as a
camera flash. Once a user sees the fact that this technology will be able to
capture themselves, their companions, and the background in a single photo that
could previously capture only what was visible at an arm’s length; they will
recognize the advantages at that moment. Thus, this technology has a level of
high observability; the results will be able to be seen right away as opposed
to having a time-delay.
Design Errors: While not a design error, the prototype design
did not specifically state how the user would be able to press the capture
button on the Smartphone. While iPhones have a side button that may be pushed
in to capture the photo, it would have been beneficial to have more information
on how this may be adjusted if a video camera or standard camera were to be
placed in the holder in lieu of an iPhone.
Improvements: This technology would have a faster rate of
adoption if it contained a detachable second “arm” for your companion to hold
while you both took the picture. This would steady the camera lens and allow
for a more successful and clearer photo. It would also improve the technology
to make the arm more compact, allowing it to slide into pockets easily for
on-the-go accessibility. This would allow for more convenience and thus
increase the technology’s rate of adoption.
No comments:
Post a Comment