Below is an example of what i think an interactive object should NOT be. Yes it looks very cool, and could be fun for a while but what does it really achieve. Does it change the interactions of the people around the table? maybe for 5 minutes, but after the oohhs and aaahs there isnt really much substance behind it.
On the other hand, this second example is much simpler, but i find it fascinating how it can alter social situations with so little. The Belkin RockStar, allows up to 5 users to listen to the same song on an mp3 player. On top of that one can add multiple inputs and select between them.
http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/ipod/review/belkin-rockstar/
This is an example of what my goal is for this class. To create something that alters or augments social interactions between either the user and the product or between multiple users as a result of the product. In my mind this is what true interaction is. Not lights on a table.
