Designing the Future of Television

Timeshifting/Placeshifting

My life changed when I discovered podcasts. They are a good example of timeshifting because they give you the option of tuning in to radio shows at a time that is convenient for the listener. They are also a good example of placeshifting because you can transfer them on you MP3 player and listen to them wherever you are. I listen to a lot of electronic music and many of my favorite DJs have radio shows at various radios throughout Europe. However, I would never actually tune in at the scheduled show times because of the time difference and because I’m not always in the mood to listen to them when they are scheduled. I now get my favorite radio shows on my iPhone and can listen to them whenever and wherever I want.

Future TV feature I would love to have

One of the things that bothers me about the television experience today is the mess that comes with it. It seems to me that the physical part we still call a TV now acts as just a screen that can connect to and display a multitude of components that I think are absolutely necessary in order to have a pleasant viewing experience today. We use a cable box, a stereo receiver, a DVD/VCR, a game console, and a computer, and all of these components connect to the TV. While trying to make all the connections between them you get a big mess in your living room. One of the things that I would love to see is a way to bring all these things together, in one single physical object. A way to customize your tv in order to somehow contain all of them.