Pandora's Design

[GnoStiC]

i also always wanted a computer/console with a "HELP" key on it, i've never seen one since Amiga..
then we could say, "Pandora is so friendly that it has a HELP button on it" :}

 

[squeakypants]

I misread what you said and I thought you said "with HELP on the front of it." I was about to say that DON'T PANIC would have been more fitting.

Anything to do with the topic? No. Awesome idea? Yes.

 

[GnoStiC]

DON'T PANIC should read on the cover of Pandora
and a (redish) HELP button could fit next to START, SELECT, MENU buttons? :rolleyes:

I misread what you said and I thought you said "with HELP on the front of it." I was about to say that DON'T PANIC would have been more fitting.

Anything to do with the topic? No. Awesome idea? Yes.

 

[pedrocasilva]

Well, I already gave my opinion in other thread so I won't elaborate that much here, but to keep it short... I hate the design and won't be buying it if it stays like it is.

I was interested, but not in a thing this ugly regardless of functionality.

 

[quote]

Well, I already gave my opinion in other thread so I won't elaborate that much here, but to keep it short... I hate the design and won't be buying it if it stays like it is.

I was interested, but not in a thing this ugly regardless of functionality.

Please elaborate, is it just the looks of the unit that puts you off, or do you think it won't be usable because of the shape??

 

[nubie]

Well, I already gave my opinion in other thread so I won't elaborate that much here, but to keep it short... I hate the design and won't be buying it if it stays like it is.

I was interested, but not in a thing this ugly regardless of functionality.

I happen to think it is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen, please help us understand why you think otherwise.

Is it aesthetic (just not pretty), or do you think it can't possibly work?

I hasten to point out it is at least as pretty as the DS Lite, it looks nearly the same. If your problem is the control layout, could you submit a picture of what layout you would like to see? Just a simple line drawing in paint would help us.

Do you not like the square corners? The clamshell? (once again, laptops and the NintendoDS Lite are clamshell and they are beautiful.)

If your beef is functional, and to those who want a "slide keyboard", you do understand how a slide keyboard is expensive, hard to design, and is fragile, don't you? You would like a larger device that will cease to function, and you want to pay more money? That is what I don't understand. (I have never seen a sliding keyboard that didn't look "tacked on", hardly the cohesive beauty of a clamshell.)

 

[Shirohagen]

It's great, I love it, I support it, I want to buy one, I don't want to be negative, I believe in Craig and the guys, I know it's a hard thing to put together, I really do understand the difficulties, I don't want to annoy anyone, I hope it comes out soon, I follow the updates every day, I've been waiting for something like this for years, I think it's great that a community thing like this is happening, I'll buy it as soon as I can afford to, I want it to succeed, but...

...it isn't pretty.

®

 

[javaJake]

Well, I already gave my opinion in other thread so I won't elaborate that much here, but to keep it short... I hate the design and won't be buying it if it stays like it is.

I was interested, but not in a thing this ugly regardless of functionality.

Ugly regardless of functionality? What'd make you happy? Maybe an iPhone that doesn't have half the power the Pandora boasts?

This may or may not be your intentions, but I know I'm not getting the Pandora to have people stare at me. I'm getting it for what it can do. Frankly, the more likely people dislike the looks, the less chance there is of theft.

 

[C B Felterbush]

What a retarded statement, saying things like that will never go well received when you don't at least explain where your opinion stems from. I suppose you can explain what your idea of a good looking handheld would be.

 

[atomicthumbs]

Well, I already gave my opinion in other thread so I won't elaborate that much here, but to keep it short... I hate the design and won't be buying it if it stays like it is.

I was interested, but not in a thing this ugly regardless of functionality.

Saying stuff like that went out of style in December.

 

[pedrocasilva]

Please elaborate, is it just the looks of the unit that puts you off, or do you think it won't be usable because of the shape??
I already said it in this thread:

http://www.gp32x.de/board/index.php?showt...=40534&st=0 (it's mostly in the first page)

hence why I didn't elaborate.

Well... it comes down to looks, but also the fact that you're trying to fit in things that instead of giving it a personality and a vocation... go towards the way of being a jack of all trades master of none. Namely the fact that it is overcrowded too much for it's own good, as... I don't believe joysticks would be in that inner position if the keyboard wasn't there for example. Also... I don't think I need a touch screen in that position; not if it can't face out

It's also not sleek, and that would give sales a big boost, being a product of desire.

I happen to think it is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen, please help us understand why you think otherwise.

Is it aesthetic (just not pretty), or do you think it can't possibly work?

I hasten to point out it is at least as pretty as the DS Lite, it looks nearly the same. If your problem is the control layout, could you submit a picture of what layout you would like to see? Just a simple line drawing in paint would help us.

Do you not like the square corners? The clamshell? (once again, laptops and the NintendoDS Lite are clamshell and they are beautiful.)

If your beef is functional, and to those who want a "slide keyboard", you do understand how a slide keyboard is expensive, hard to design, and is fragile, don't you? You would like a larger device that will cease to function, and you want to pay more money? That is what I don't understand. (I have never seen a sliding keyboard that didn't look "tacked on", hardly the cohesive beauty of a clamshell.)

I think it's just nor pretty.

regarding being like a NDS... DS is a simple system, meaning there's a lot of harmony between factors (1 D-pad, 4 face buttons and start and select), not 10 keys at the top, a full keyboard down whose sides get progressely smaller creating a stair effect or something, the 2 joysticks, 4 buttons 1 d-pad... it's too much.

As for a slide keyboard... if anything, if the design was to stay as is... I'd take it out, since I can use usb or wireless ones; give it space to breed. still... if the design could be completely overhauled... more than a slide in keyboard I'd make it so the screen is the thing that slides; I'd be happy to pay the difference in price for that.

rather than making a drawing... I'd rather say that this is my idea of something sleek and apt for games just the same:

(sleek like hell, good D-pad, joystick, good action buttons, the keyboard looks funny though)

or this:

(no slide in, kinda like clamshell, proper keyboard; just change the design to have joystick, d-pad and action buttons out when closed with the screen facing out.)

Ugly regardless of functionality? What'd make you happy? Maybe an iPhone that doesn't have half the power the Pandora boasts?
No iPhone is the typical apple thing "less is more"; yet... it's really just that, less. (and I like apple and next laptop I buy will be theirs so I'm not trying to bashing them)

But still... iPhone basically compromises functionality/connectivity for looks, whereas Pandora is the contrary, it compromises looks over functionality/connectivity. I'll say though, with Pandora coming with the design it is coming... I'd be happier with a iPhone approach (or rather, would buy a iPhone more easily if they were both at the same price and I had to choose)

This may or may not be your intentions, but I know I'm not getting the Pandora to have people stare at me. I'm getting it for what it can do. Frankly, the more likely people dislike the looks, the less chance there is of theft.
I'm not a poser either; but I give importance to design nonetheless.

What a retarded statement, saying things like that will never go well received when you don't at least explain where your opinion stems from. I suppose you can explain what your idea of a good looking handheld would be.

I don't think it was retarded in the slightest, and given the options of the poll... ontopic even if you disagree. Still, I'll say that I didn't write that to enrage you guys, but it's really how I think

I can say it looks amateurish and overcrowded without thinking of it as a insult for the Pandora Team (although I'm aware it's not a incentive) Still... If I had to think of one thing slowing down this machine's adoptions... it would have to be design.

Saying stuff like that went out of style in December.
the design didn't change though, so it's not like I've changed my mind.

 

[Chip]

rather than making a drawing... I'd rather say that this is my idea of something sleek and apt for games just the same:

The Averatech AHI has been "in development" for 2 years, with no official release date. It won't be fitting in any pockets, and was estimated to cost $800. While I agree it looks "slick", it isn't half as capable or portable as Pandora.

The HTC Shift is available (in Europe, at least) for the low, low price of $1750. I'm sure it is a fantastic UMPC, but as it completely lacks gaming controls and is far too large for a pocket, it loses out. Not to mention you could buy five and a half Pandoras for the same price.

The Sony VAIO UX (from your original post) is pretty close in size to the Pandora, but like the Shift, has no gaming controls. It also costs $2500.


Maybe you're the sort of person who cares more about appearances than functionality or value. That's fine. As you've pointed out, there are plenty of options for you that look gorgeous and don't have gaming controls cluttering up their design.


Personally, I'm not that sort of person. Pandora does more and costs (a lot) less than your sleek examples, and that's why I'll be buying one.

 

[JakeK]

Both of the pictures you displayed as suggestions aren't clamshell designs, they don't protect the screen as they leave it open to scratches if not in a case (Like the GP2x F200). I purely wouldn't buy the first machine because of the size of the keyboard. I have a phone that has small buttons like that and I hate it.

The second one presents the clamshell design problem also. From what I have read the Pandora is designed to be its own case in a way.

However, I do agree with you on a small amount. The Pandora is not a product that looks like it was made in this time era. It looks older. The lettering on the keyboard needs to be changed for sure, it needs to look more professional, sharper straight characters. It needs to be a matte black surface instead of shiny, the plastic around the joysticks needs to be a matte surface as well. Some curves wouldn't do harm to it as well.

Don't get me wrong, I'd still buy it but I'd be more likely to say "Hey guys take a look at this" if it looked better.

 

[gruso]

I think people's minds will change when they see it in the flesh. We haven't even seen real photos yet. The renders kind of make it look big in my opinion, even in the size comparisons. Once people see Pandora in front of them, I'm sure the only reaction will be "wow".

Hell, I bought my GP2X thinking they were a little ugly. Once it came out of the box though, it had me.

 

[Sphinxter]

I can say it looks amateurish and overcrowded without thinking of it as a insult for the Pandora Team (although I'm aware it's not a incentive) Still... If I had to think of one thing slowing down this machine's adoptions... it would have to be design.the design didn't change though, so it's not like I've changed my mind.

The sales figures on your examples indicate the rest of the world thinks your suggestions totally suck too.

 

[JakeK]

I think people's minds will change when they see it in the flesh. We haven't even seen real photos yet. The renders kind of make it look big in my opinion, even in the size comparisons. Once people see Pandora in front of them, I'm sure the only reaction will be "wow".

Hell, I bought my GP2X thinking they were a little ugly. Once it came out of the box though, it had me.

Same here. Maybe with real photos I will think different. It'd be great to see a prototype.

 

[pedrocasilva]

The Averatech AHI has been "in development" for 2 years, with no official release date. It won't be fitting in any pockets, and was estimated to cost $800. While I agree it looks "slick", it isn't half as capable or portable as Pandora.
I don't care about the Averatec, I just want a sleek pandora rather than what it looks now; averatec regardless of being a concept or not (and pandora is still a concept) looks miles away better.

The HTC Shift is available (in Europe, at least) for the low, low price of $1750. I'm sure it is a fantastic UMPC, but as it completely lacks gaming controls and is far too large for a pocket, it loses out. Not to mention you could buy five and a half Pandoras for the same price.
Again, what makes it expensive is the fact that it is a umpc; you guys asked for examples and I did them; but those prices don't come from design; I could also say that PSP is actually sleek for what it is and you guys could go after it (it's cheaper than Pandora for instance) but given that the keyboard is in... UMPC's are a good reference.

This one lacks gaming controls, sure, but I described how they could be in my post; of course they'd have to be added, but looking at the previous example... is it that hard? I don't think so.

Basically I'm not saying for the pandora team to copy paste this stuff, I'm saying they should take ideas and build something nice looking with good balance over functionality and design, because it lacks it.

The Sony VAIO UX (from your original post) is pretty close in size to the Pandora, but like the Shift, has no gaming controls. It also costs $2500.
Same thing; it's a reference of what you should be aiming to do, regarding integration.

If anything... I don't think adding good design would increase the price up to those prices; so it's no excuse.

Maybe you're the sort of person who cares more about appearances than functionality or value. That's fine. As you've pointed out, there are plenty of options for you that look gorgeous and don't have gaming controls cluttering up their design.

Personally, I'm not that sort of person. Pandora does more and costs (a lot) less than your sleek examples, and that's why I'll be buying one.
tbh, I don't really like to be generalized like that; I value a balance if anything; i'm not buying something without value just because it's pretty.

But I'm a designer student; it would be bad if I didn't value looks; still, I think it's pretty obvious, print it and show it to a number of people, normal people, casuals, hardcore gamers... and see their impressions, I think most won't say it's beautiful, and that like it or not is a deciding factor to buy it or opt for other sleeker design.

I won't generalize you, but my opinion of people that are satisfied with this design is that they absolutely value functionality and features above the design and will buy it regardless (so they're already pleased with anything, so the Pandora team should go the extra mile for the rest of us); I think that creates a jack of all trades master of none though, like... I see no use in the touch screen in the position it's in for the design... My point being... bad design (or inappropriate) also compromises functionality, even if the features are there.

Yet, you seem to think something like "I value this more" or "can't have it all" or even "yeah, that's a better design but that costs $1500" (while I want sleek design, not the same hardware/branding as others) and so... I disagree, and I don't think it's bad to demand more of a product that at first glance has a big flaw that compromises it's market acceptance.

Both of the pictures you displayed as suggestions aren't clamshell designs, they don't protect the screen as they leave it open to scratches if not in a case (Like the GP2x F200). I purely wouldn't buy the first machine because of the size of the keyboard. I have a phone that has small buttons like that and I hate it.
I recognize that advantage, but having a clamshell touch screen that doesn't turn (or is usable closed) and one who is facing outside... I take functionality... hands down. I also think that I'm able to keep a screen usable, either buying carrying cases to not putting it in my back pocket.

We can always use covers and the like, and it's not the screen facing out will break as easily as a protuberating part of the case when it's open, so it's like a double edged thing in both ways.

But it's a matter of balance too, pandora is too crowded and lacks harmony.

The second one presents the clamshell design problem also. From what I have read the Pandora is designed to be its own case in a way.
It's fine for them to think stuff like that, but then again... I think it needs to be rethought; it's not good enough and it's not going in a good direction if instead of resolving stuff we just throw in more and more features instead of harmonizing them.

However, I do agree with you on a small amount. The Pandora is not a product that looks like it was made in this time era. It looks older. The lettering on the keyboard needs to be changed for sure, it needs to look more professional, sharper straight characters. It needs to be a matte black surface instead of shiny, the plastic around the joysticks needs to be a matte surface as well. Some curves wouldn't do harm to it as well.

Don't get me wrong, I'd still buy it but I'd be more likely to say "Hey guys take a look at this" if it looked better.
Fair enough; you're conformed with it and that's fine. I'm not though, specially since this came such a long way, it's a shame to going all out in every other place and shying away in this one.

The sales figures on your examples indicate the rest of the world thinks your suggestions totally suck too.

I can't grasp your conception, aren't you even trying to say that the design isn't bad, but rather saying tht I'm wrong because the examples I gave don't sell in the order of the millions per month? that if anything can be attributed to a lot of factors, independent to the design.

If anything, this might be badly received... but it looks like a chinese-made DS Lite clone to me; looks cheap. (sorry but there I said it) Do those sell like mad?

 

[Shiny]

I agree with allot of what pedrocasilva has said, and he makes some valid points. I too want it to be functional and beautiful. The current look of the machine has put allot of people off (including me somewhat), and something should be done to address this issue. I realize that it may be too late for anything major, but small things add up. I know that I'll still be picking up a pandora regardless, but a more refined look will help convince those still on the edge along with reel in some newcomers.

 

[Alex.]

pedrocasilva:

Just because you're a design student doesn't excuse your neglect for the practical reasons behind Pandora's design, such as the need to not infringe costly patents, and keep everything under a budget that is likely lower than Sony's PSP's. Unit price in this case is irrelevant.

Pandora is (hopefully) not after the "Designers Don't Do PC" crowd, but rather after those that seek function and value above all else. You may have a different definition of design, but for a niche product such as this it should be practicality in addition to solely aesthetics.

 

[TheLonelyGod]

I have to say that i agree with pedrocasilva. I'm still going to buy one, just because i think the community i'd be in is fantastic. Although i would love a new design with more harmoney i'm still personally more about function than structure. If someone makes a better design render then i'll be all for it, but right now with only the one example i kinda have to go with it because it gets what i would use it for done.