B2 – Upper Intermediate
We live in a world of quadrilateral architecture and design. Gadgets may have developed curve corners, but they are still predominantly four-sided.
Has living in a world of four-cornered tangibles affected the human thought process? Would developing a circular smartphone be the first step toward rethinking?
Read the article below and express your thoughts.
https://edition.cnn.com/2015/03/12/tech/mci-runcible-smartphone/index.html
Discussion Questions:
- What are your thoughts on circular smartphones?
- What could be Monohm’s motivation in working on the circular “anti-smartphone” called Runcible?
- The article suggests that the shape of an object’s frame impacts its use. Can you think of an everyday object that people would approach differently if it were round instead of rectangular?
- The author notes the rise of circular avatars in apps and various interfaces. Does this design choice make any difference at all to gadget users? Why or why not?
4 replies on “Runcible: A Circular Smartphone”
What could be Monohm’s motivation for working on the circular “anti-smartphone” called Runcible?
To generate awareness and help people to disengage from technology.
2. The article suggests that the shape of an object’s frame influences its use. Can you think of any everyday objects that people would approach differently if they were round instead of rectangular?
I imagine that if doors were round people would find it odd but at the same time reminiscent of the doors in The Hobbit.
3. The author points out the rise of circular avatars in apps and various interfaces. Does this design choice make any difference to gadget users? Why or why not?
I don’t think so. I don’t think it could ever affect people’s behavior that much.
Well done answering all the questions. You wrote good sentences.
Remember to write this one in complete sentence:
Keep going with this exercise to see your skills improve further.
1. What could be Monohm’s motivation in working on the circular “anti-smartphone” called Runcible?
Being disruptive, trying to do something historical, or just getting media attention.
2. The article suggests that the shape of an object’s frame impacts its use. Can you think of an everyday object that people would approach differently if it were round instead of rectangular?
Computers? Cars?
3. The author notes the rise of circular avatars in apps and various interfaces. Does this design choice make any difference at all to gadget users? Why or why not?
If avatars are squared or circled? It´s not even relevant for me.
Many thanks for always answer your lessons’ discussion questions. You’re doing a good job so far.
See how this sentence can be improved:
Keep at it!