For the past several years, Apple has been an esteemed creator of technology that blends gorgeous hardware with innovative software.  Recently, after the introduction of Leopard and a bevy of software releases and updates for its Mac OS X arsenal, Apple dramatically changed the hardware side with the introduction of the aluminum unibody MacBook and MacBook Pro.

It’s crucial that the MacBook Pro receives a “Design Review”, because this machine seems to embody that meaning.  So I got my (very, very, clean) hands all over a MacBook Pro (15.4″, 2.4GHz Core 2 Duo) and have been testing it, grinding it, and most importantly gazing at it for two solid weeks.  Read on, warriors!

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Sony Ericsson’s had its fair share of troubles lately, posting operating losses and restructuring efforts all over the place.  Even SEMC’s mothership, Sony is nearly drowning from its losses.  Their latest iteration, the Sony XPERIA X1, jointly built with HTC (but still under SEMC’s branding), seems to be the company’s greatest hope and shining beacon on a hill. 

The question is:  How bright does this device shine amongst such proven powerhouses like RIM, Apple, and Nokia?  The full design review — after the break.

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Being just excited as the next gadgeteer, I was able to take the newly launched gPhone HTC Dream T-Mobile G1 for a spin!  Touting its strong and ever-so-long list of functionality including 3G/WiFi/Bluetooth/GPS, HTC slaps on Google’s infamous Android OS offering in an attempt to combat this gosh-darned touchscreen market.  Of course, its glamour isn’t the touchscreen nor that Leno-chinned, QWERTY keyboard hardware; it’s the open-sourced software that allows designers and developers all over the world to contribute and create the most mind-blowing apps available.

In this design review, I put the G1 through it’s paces.  Don’t hesitate - you want to continue reading.

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Every so often, we run into modern devices fitted with a great interface.  They’re extremely useful, they’re extremely usable.  In this series, we explore the elements of user interface - what causes them to be great, what causes us to gripe.

In the first article of the series, we explore one of the hottest topics of modern gadget-users: user feedback.  Tactile feedback has been a staple for many QWERTY devices of today, however the touchscreen market has boomed?  What has happened from the mix of markets, and what innovations will emerge?  We discuss this topic after the break.

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User Interface Highlights is a column focusing on showcasing the latest user interface enhancements from any front.

Since I have been using WordPress for this blog, I thought it necessary to talk about its recent enhancements: WordPress 2.7.  It definitely puts a different flair to navigating the panels, which may or may not be good.  Read on for more.

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Trends Analysis is a column focusing on analyzing the current trends of today.  Keep in mind, trends change almost daily, but this post doesn’t (unless I want it to).

Colour is a crucial part of design.  Thought I’d start with a little Captain Obvious, so you’d hit the break for more. 

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Form versus function has been a hotly debated subject in every modern product and device. Unfortunately, the engineers who are responsible with the creation and existence of said products typically and half-justifiably plant themselves alongside the “function first” position. In fact, as I state this, many of you are clenching fists, re-reading phrases and words to catch misplaced arguments, and willing to jump at any opportunity to virtually strangle me. I, of course, stand by my position: form OVER function. To try and control your mind and steer it towards my biased viewpoint, I will try and be as objective and concise as I can with specific examples in the industry.

I’ve listed five arguments (in order of what I think helps explain my viewpoint) of why the actual design of a product should precede function. Granted, this assumes that the specific functional objectives and goals of the product have been set in place, which is typically one of the first steps towards the formation of a product. A need in society must be fulfilled by the function of the device. Let us continue.

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