Here are some examples of hardware integration styles. Can you find the similar styles in "system integration"?
1. Swiss army knife, leatherman (thanks to Steve), and other N-in-1 tools
2. Universal remote
3. Constructicons/Devastator
4. Lego
5. Converter/adaptor, for power plugs, A/V cables, etc.
6. Screwdriver with replacable heads
7. USB
8. iPhone
Do you have other good hardware integration examples?
Google Gears Dead?
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For those that don't know what Google Gears does the below is from Google'
Site:
Gears is a plug-in that extends your browser to create a richer platform
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14 years ago
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internet refrigerator
ReplyDeleteFor some reason, this entry reminds me of those late night infomercials, where you see some kitchen product that can do 10 different things - "it slices, it dices, it chops, it blends!" actually, the analogy is quite apt, as it relates nicely to hardware integration.
ReplyDeleteThe swiss army knife example reminds me of UI-level integration with no interoperability between components. A swiss army knife puts a knife blade and a screwdriver in the same package, but you can't use them at the same time. Nice analogy.
ReplyDeleteThe Leatherman is another good example. Like the swiss army knife, multiple tools are available, but cannot be used at the same time. It is the epitome of the phrase, "Jack of all trades, master of none."
ReplyDeleteA phone with an extra memory card inserted in it to get additional memory for storage of data.
ReplyDeleteThis is an advertisement that ran over the internet , but if this comes true I dont think there will be any good example of Hardware integration ever to be found , check this out and njoy
ReplyDeletehttp://www.pomegranatephone.com/
cheers !!
USB (Universal Serial Bus) revolutionized the portable data storage market. It gave ability of not only appending data storage capacity, but gave ability to bring in external data and similar functionality. In accordance to that, Developers use IDE to write code and build up modules. Concept of "plugg-in" revolutionized the developers world, by providing capability to strengthen the development platform by integrating TWO systems with complimentary functionalities into one single system, and appending some extra desired functions to the our system.
ReplyDeleteThe analogy becomes even more apt when we consider using JAVA Netbeans IDE and plug-in JDO (Java Data Object) to provide comprehensive platform for developing Object Oriented Database centric applications, by using data persistence provided by Java. Now the data captured by JDO is portable and inter operable between different applications/systems, similar to USB.
Prateek
When comes to automation, these are couple of examples:
ReplyDeleteautomated house....control on most of the electrical items of the house..
self automated super market check out....like IKEA
There are several examples when RFID is brought into picture.It is always integrated with other tools for solving a purpose.Here are some of the cases:
Human Cardio-Respiro Abnormality Alert System using RFID
Vehicle detection using RFID technology
Children rescuing using RFID
Another example can be Transcend Multi Card Reader that reads the following cards: Compatible with many cards like CompactFlash, TransFlash,etc without the need for an adapter....
IP Phone not I-phone… IP Phone which uses internet to make calls to other countries for free of cost....
This can be a hardware integration example.....Generating Free Alternative Energy with the help of DC Bicycle Pedal Power Generator...
Way2sms..i guess so..can be a simple example..... it embedds gmail, gtalk, yahoomail, yahoomessenger, rediffmail, rediffmessenger all in one..
Thanks doomsberry, that "infomercial" was hilarious.
ReplyDeleteActually after looking at that phone I thought about the Verizon Hub (http://news.vzw.com/news/2009/01/pr2009-01-23a.html). Okay, so here is a VOIP phone that has quite a bit of functionality and application integration such as a calendar, limited web browser, messaging center, picture frame and ability to send/receive text, picture and video messages. The functionality of the phone is extended through the installation of 'widgets' which allow you to use programs such as youtube, flickr, an app that provides traffic information, and even the ability to IM. There are quite a bit of other 'widgets' that can be added however it is controlled by Verizon (unlike the iPhone) so there is a limited amount of additional apps that can be installed. The advantage of this would be that Verizon can have a better control on malware and other virus-infecting applications.
The hub is powered by Linux and is leveraging the OpenPeak's OpenFrame design. You can view the site here (http://www.openpeak.com/OpenframeApps.php) to get additional applications that can be integrated with this technology.
You may ask why this really cool-sounding phone is not all over the place....well according to some of the sites that I have found, it appears as though Verizon has terminated this phone (http://www.gearlog.com/2009/09/rip_verizon_hub_2009-2009.php, http://www.tmcnet.com/news/2009/10/02/4403982.htm). However according to the comments left from this article it might be coming back (http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/09/29/the-verizon-hub-has-been-discountinued-try-not-to-get-upset/)
What most people are saying is that the reason why is because of the pricing. First Verizon charged about $200 for the phone and then slapped you with a $35 monthly fee, in which you were locked into some type of yearly agreement.
In my opinion I think that more people would use their cell phone instead of a 'computer-like' phone that is sitting in their kitchen. I just can't see myself going to the kitchen, standing in front of this phone and typing in an address to get directions. I would rather just use my iPhone which not only can I type the directions but then use the iPhone like a GPS...AND TAKE THE PHONE WITH ME. Sorry, right now smartphones really put the idea of me purchasing a ‘hub’ out of the question…