XplanaZine

For the past several years much noise has been made about the living room PC (Entertainment PC). This is the devise that we heralded as the next one-stop entertainment center in our homes for all media. We were supposed to use these PC-based devices for recording and playing music, videos, and TV throughout the house.

Well, a funny thing happened on the way to the circus. The Entertainment PC (EPC) has never received the widespread consumer support that was predicted. Just this past week, in fact, Intel announced that it is rethinking the whole concept. And, since Intel is a likely manufacturer of chips that will drive the future version of our living rooms, the announcement is one that we should listen to.

According to Intel, it’s not that we don’t need an integrated device — in fact we do — it’s just that the PC-based systems on sale today aren’t the best solution. According to Don McDonald, general manager of Intel’s home product group, future versions will be smaller and more cleanly integrated into the living space. These systems will also be more compatible with existing living room components. And, he adds, the fact that the box is a PC will be de-emphasized.

“I’m not sure I want to call it an entertainment PC,” MacDonald said during an interview at the Intel Developer Forum . “I think there is an in-built inertia against anything called a PC in the living room.”

I’m not certain if the inertia against PCs in the living room is associated with the PC per se, or if it is an inertia against adding too many new pieces to an already complicated technological puzzle. Having just upgraded our living room system, I can say that without the professional installation, there would be no new system in our home.

The real issue, I think, is about integration in general. Everyone really does want one system that will handle all of their needs. In this, both consumers and vendors are in agreement. The problem is that we have multiple competing visions for how that should happen and, at least in the first round, no one is doing enough focus-group testing. (A hint to product manufacturers — we want a single, small device that is plug-and-play and is completely unobtrusive).

I bring all of this up because what happens in our living rooms is always a good model for what happens with technology in general and, more specifically, with technology in education. Whether we’re talking about technology integrated into our physical classrooms or additional functionality added to an LMS platform, the keys for success are the same.

Here is a list of key factors to consider when thinking about integrating multiple components into a single device, integrating new technology into an existing space, or integrating different sets of functionality into one interface:

1. Natural integration is best. We are our own worst enemies. We generally decide ahead of time what an integration should look like and then we try to force technology and users into adapting to our designs. Harsh but true. The best path is to look at a physical and/or technological space, consider the end user, and then determine what the best integration and final functionality will be. Fewer buttons with greater ease of use and more reliability is an excellent mantra.
2. Ease of use is most important. We should say this over and over again until everyone gets it and agrees to implement the concept. Information architecture and usability have to be number-one priorities when imagining any integration.
3. Plan, ask the user, and then repeat. The speed with which technology evolves and the fierce competition of the marketplace often cause companies to use a live product and an unwitting consumer as their market testing ground. In that game, the lucky ones win. A better way to approach integration is to determine your best solution, show it to potential users, consider their feedback, and then make changes. If you repeat this step twenty or thirty times you may end up with a really nice product.

I know, it probably seems like I’m being unrealistic in my thinking. It’s just that I’ve always believed technology is something that should work for us rather than be something that is done to us. For that to happen, integration still has a long way to go.

And, whether we’re in the living room or the classroom, whether we’re talking about EPCs or LMS platforms, the answer is the same — we want one small device that is plug-and-play, easy-to-use, and is completely unobtrusive. Now that’s real integration.