ICAM 101: Gamer Tag Project

Here is my proposal for a device for my user interface design class:

1. Problem: Gamers, while growing in numbers, still lack a way to find each other geographically considering that most console and pc gaming occurs on an immobile computer platform (the desktop computer).

2. Target Audience: Younger generation of gamers as well as the older facebook/myspace generation who is used to the idea of social networking, though no social networking gaming platform exists yet.

3. Using Bluetooth and RFID technology your mobile phone can transmit Gamer Tag identification to users who are geographically near your phone during any given moment. Gamer Tag's consist of screenames (which act as links) to popular gaming services, such as Steampowered.com and Xbox Live, which already store information about the user. The interface also allows users of the application in a local area to list their purchased games, and in the case of mobile platform gaming the application can initiate chat and network gaming with others who share the game. Most cell phones also have built in GPS or Wifi service that can be used to triangulate the position of the Gamer Tags as they are passively scanned in an environment. Thus a daily map can be created of encounters with other people with a Gamer Tag transmitting device. This allows you to meet people locally and then schedule events like LAN parties. Privacy options are available to control the flow of information. Also, all previous user ids can be combined into a single Gamer Tag that keeps track of your entire gaming history in one convenient location.

4. No previous attempts have been made to create a application specifically for Gamers, but the leaders in social networking such as Myspace are already moving into the mobile market. BusinessWeek recently did an article on it.
Bluetooth technology is already available in most phones, and RFID is another technology that offers a similar function. The platform could be built upon Google's Android SDK which aims to support a wide range of mobile devices using open source software.

Here is a video of Google Android:

What is interesting is how much AirBUD overlaps with with ICAM class. A device such as the iPhone has all the capabilities one might need except for a integrated air quality sensor. Of course AirBUD is using a different platform than Android which I believe will gain market acceptance since Google produces high quality work. Nevertheless, it would be interesting to have a mobile device with a clean UI like that of the iPhone with an integrated air quality sensor.