Why do I blog this?: Aibo and the Nabaztag are definitely two of the most interesting examples of interactive gadgets. Aibos are sensitive to the physical environment and “learn” from it, while Nabaztag focuses on reacting to network events (feeds, email, other Nabaztag statuses) to create instances of peripheral (ambient) knowledge. The idea of these two agents interacting is fascinating, and gives some early hints at the Internet of Things and spime concepts.
The TENORI-ON, Toshio Iwai‘s new interactive digital music instrument, was presented last week in soho.
Why do I blog this?: musical instruments are very efficient worlds where to test interactions, which are intrinsecally social. They also create intimate game spaces, where the reward bounds the player (as in both music player and game player) to a learning experience. I think the Tenori-On is a very interesting exploration of the boundaries and overlaps between toys, musical instruments, intimacy and social spaces.