The 'Starck', inspired by designer Phillipe Starck, is one of the
most unusual concept designs taking several ideas from Gateway
products. The written notes on the drawing indicate it is for use
in a kitchen or other non-computer places. The Digital Convergence
market will hopefully see machines moving from the computer room
into the rest of the house.
The handle is a practical rather than technological design element.
When Apple introduced the iMAC they also bought the aethetics of a
computer into question. Since then, more computers are looking at
simple user needs, such as the ability to carry a device by their
side. This feature is also shared by the iBOOK. It does look
slightly strange when the device is in use on a desk though.
The Starck hand held tablet is designed for both left and right
handed as standard. The implementation of a flip-foot for standing
upright on a desk is interesting. I can imagine a person
downloading a recipe from the main unit and taking it into the
kitchen. It would be useful for someone trying to read from it
while they had their hands full.
