Microsoft Surface Phone

cdesign · May 21, 2017, 12:53am

Cyberdemon:

It feels very derivative, there are lots of good ideas but they’re all pulled from other products like Google Tango, Samsung Dex, etc. There are already devices with depth cameras built in for an example of form factor https://get.google.com/tango/

As a pure sculptural/ID exercise it feels under developed, a bit like the almost pure rectangle nextbit Robin phone (https://www.nextbit.com/) but without some of the playful elements. It feels sharp and cold in an era where most manufacturers are moving towards rounding everything (the UI, the screen, the phone itself).

Details like the cover which just comes off as a pure white brick without material…rather than seeming soft and protective it just comes off as a brittle block of plastic, the design aesthetic doesn’t seem to match it’s function (compared to most smart covers which are soft, felt, padded, etc). Theres also no indication of how the kickstand mechanism would work. Most phone/tablet cases that use that type of folding feature use the case itself to act as the kickstand, since the hinge needs to be curved to open.

Your presentation is well done, and all this tech is basically feasible today. But you come at it from an approach of “Combine all this tech into a singular product” and it seems to take away from who the ideal user of this phone might be. Just for the uber designer/engineering professional? Your grandma? The instagram trendsetter?

The mobile hardware space is tough, we’re at a point where the technology has probably peaked and we’re sitting waiting for the next technology inflection point to really open up new opportunities.

I really appreciate your comments and can see where you are coming from, seeing it as a derivative product where I almost went feature shopping. That wasn’t my intention at all with this project, but now that you mention it I can see it. Where do you think I can improve in this regard? Aren’t most smartphones basically the same, so how much do the designers really design now that they are so well established with their functions and basic form factor? My design intent was to create a tool that wasn’t made for mainstream appeal, but one that designers, creatives, and engineers could really use to aid in their work, and as an assist to the HoloLens to create cool experiences for education. Almost a glimpse into the not-so-far future for those folks.

Brian_Donlin:

Kudos: nice job telling the story. Clean presentation. I like how you made it fit with the rest of the MS product ecosystem.

Critique… take with a grain of salt:

The corners look like they’re gonna wear through my jeans pockets real quick.

Why wasn’t the form inspired by existing Surface products, to fit in with the brand language?

I’m confused why you say “leave the mouse at home” when the image shows someone working at a desktop computer. Aren’t you just replacing the mouse altogether? I’m skeptical on desirability of this feature.

The Hololens glasses are clearly photoshopped onto that girl. You at least need some sort of shadow on the girl below the glasses. And the lighting on the glasses doesn’t agree with the rest of the image. Should be an easy fix.

I’ve gotten a lot of flack for those corners. I’ve learned my lesson.
It definitely was, but also wanted to evolve what the future surface lineup may become.
I think it could be a pretty powerful feature when needed; a mouse will be better for a lot of things.
Will do when I get some time.

Thanks for your responses! Definitely appreciate the critiques.

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Microsoft Surface Phone

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