The Smartphone Then and Now

In today’s day and age, it is almost impossible to imagine a life without a smartphone and it is considered strange if one does not have a smartphone. Smartphones have become such an integral part of our lives that we rely on the smartphone to complete all sorts of tasks like connecting with one another, paying for things, keeping track of events, and many more. Let’s take a look at a similar device that could have been the inspiration for a smartphone. The PARCTAB(tab) system was an ambitious device that revolved around the philosophy of Ubiquitous Computing.

To explore the tab system we need to first take a look at who created it, Xerox PARC. Xerox PARC believed that the next step in technology was Ubiquitous Computing(ubicomp), which is the idea that computing will become built into our everyday lives seamlessly. They had a variety of projects that were meant to explore the idea of ubicomp, the most prominent ones were the LiveBoard, ParcPad, and the ParcTab. The LiveBoard was a smartboard where you could remotely show documents or write things onto it through pen input. The ParcPad was a predecessor of tablets that was supposed to be a replacement for notebooks as well as reading ebooks.

There is a big variety of smartphones, so we will be focusing on the newest iteration of a popular smartphone, the IPhone 13 for comparison reasons.

Goals

The ParcTab had the goal to be a device that would be able to act as an active badge, calendar, and diary. The tab was also supposed to be an extension of a computer screen so that you would be able to shrink a window from your computer down to the size of an icon that could be accessed within the tab. The design goal of the tab system was It had to be physically attractive

to users, compatible with the network, and capable of modifying its behavior in response

to the current context.

The modern-day smartphone has numerous capabilities that could be done with the smartphone alone. The goal of the smartphone was to be a new way for users to communicate, access applications as well as do it through a touch screen that only relied on touch from the user.

Display

Commercially available screens were not suited for the tab system so the ParcTab used a 6.2cm x 4.5cm (2.4in x 1.8in) LCD display with a resolution of 128 x 64 monochrome pixels. Also, the tab system was primarily meant to be used with both hands, one hand on the tab itself and the other hand on the stylus for inputs, but it was usable with just one hand due to several buttons that were built into the tab system itself.

The IPhone 13 has a 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.7 mm (5.78 x 2.81 x 0.30 in) Super Retina XDR display using OLED with a resolution of 1170 x 2532 pixels. The IPhone is meant to receive inputs through touch and does not need anything like a stylus or pen for inputs. There are also a few buttons that can be used on the IPhone.

Just comparing the specification of the displays, it can be seen how much the smartphone has evolved and expanded on the idea of the tab system. Also, a big difference between the two is the way inputs are detected. The tab system relied on the stylus for input and was meant to be used with 2 hands, while the IPhone receives inputs through a touchscreen and is primarily used with 1 hand.

Applications

The tab system had a variety of applications that could be used ranging from emails, weather, to unistroke testing and learning. The most activated applications were emails, weather, and file browsing.

The IPhone 13 has a lot of default applications, but there is also the App Store, which allows users to download and install any apps that they want. There are many default applications and even more available to download, but it is hard to list them all. Also, there are lots of applications that are for entertainment purposes like games and streaming services.

Inferring from the most used applications in the tab system, the primary use of the tab system was to take in information rather than output it. Compared to the IPhone, which has an endless amount of applications that can be used for inputting and outputting information. A difference that showcases the app difference is that the tab system email was used to read emails, while for Iphones you are able to connect multiple inboxes along with reading and writing emails.

Usage

The tabs system was a device that was meant to be used “casually”, which could be seen through its average usage times. Through logs, it was determined that 50% of interactions last less than 100 seconds(1.7 mins), 75% less than 230 seconds (3.8 mins), and 90% less than 500 seconds (8.3 mins). This supports our notion of the tab as a device for “casual” interactions.

For average smartphone users, there is a lot of time spent on smartphones. The majority of people (46%) spend 5–6 hours on their phone daily with 5% less than 1 hour and 11% spending equal to or more than 7 hours.

Through the amount of time used on each device, it could be seen how drastic the methods of use have become for each of the devices. The tab system was meant for quick interactions and minimal usage while smartphones have dominated most of the user’s day due to the variety of uses.

Ubiquitous Computing

Xerox PROC is where the idea of ubiquitous computing gained traction, so it is no surprise that the ParcTab embodies the concept of ubiquitous computing. It was used throughout the office and could be used every day as a substitute for a computer.

Smartphones have become so embedded in society that it is more surprising when someone doesn’t have a smartphone. With how technology has progressed smartphones are almost a necessity for everyday use and can be used almost anywhere as long as there is a signal. While in a sense it does symbolize the ideas of ubiquitous computing, it also seems that it has gone too far and become more invasive than just blending into society.

Both have ubiquitous computing concepts involved with the two devices and were able to be a good example of what ubiquitous computing was meant to be. The ParcTab became a device that could be used in an office setting without much thought. While smartphones have become a societal norm and it has disappeared and merged into daily life.

Conclusion

The smartphone is a big evolution in comparison with the tab system designed by Xerox PARC. The tab system was meant for office usage and accomplishing tasks that didn’t require a lot of time. Smartphones have become a lot more attractive through the display difference and the huge reservoir of apps available for them. The tab system was a primitive version of smartphones, but most of its features were carried on in some way shape, or form. While smartphones have built upon the tab system it has also exaggerated some features immensely, which causes the biggest difference between the two devices.