ReportWire

Tag: Product Design

  • Apple, Please Bring Back the Greatest Accessory You Ever Made

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    Every time there are rumors that a new iPad might be on the way, people get excited about whatever new features might be coming. That makes sense—new things are exciting, even when they’re just new versions of something you already know.

    I generally don’t care about rumors, though they are becoming more difficult to ignore. What I do know is true is that Apple will continue to give us new products for a long time to come—iPad included.

    When I say I don’t care, I should clarify that I think the iPad is great. It’s one of my favorite Apple devices, and the current M4 iPad Pro is so good I don’t even know what else there is to do to it to make it any better.

    I do, however, dream about the day that Apple brings back what I think is the absolute best iPad accessory that Apple has ever made—the Smart Folio Keyboard. For that matter, I’m pretty sure I can make the case it’s the greatest accessory—period—that Apple has ever made.

    Don’t talk to me about the Apple Pencil, which is fantastic, but most people do not need, nor will they ever use with their iPad. We have a handful of iPads in our house, and I’m the only person who ever thinks about using an Apple Pencil at all. Without question, I could use my iPad Pro just fine without it. It’s great, but extra.

    What makes a perfect accessory

    The Smart Folio Keyboard, on the other hand, is the Goldilocks of iPad cases. It’s not too small, not too heavy. It’s just right. And yet, Apple killed it off with the latest version of the iPad Pro, and the way I use an iPad has been mostly ruined ever since.

    I do like to write using my iPad Pro, and the Magic Keyboard is arguably the best keyboard ever made for a tablet. The trackpad is good and the keys themselves are a delight considering how compact the whole thing is. But if I’m not using my iPad in laptop mode, I’m just stuck with an awkwardly heavy case.

    The thing is, right now, if you want to put your iPad in a case, you have basically two vectors on which to choose from. One option is to get a bulky (and heavy) keyboard case that feels great to type on, but is a pain to carry around. Or, you can get a thin, lightweight case to protect your screen, but that offers very little additional functionality.

    I guess there’s a third option, which is to get a thick, bulky case meant to protect your iPad from being dropped by children or employees in a retail store. That’s fine, but no one who wants to carry around an iPad on a regular basis wants to use one of those.

    Balance of form and function

    The Smart Folio Keyboard, on the other hand, was the perfect combination of form and function, which—I always thought—was Apple’s sweet spot. It was a good keyboard experience without being heavy when you just wanted to use it as a case. It wasn’t as thin and light as the Smart Folio, but it was definitely within the margin of “I could carry this all the time.”

    Really, it was ideal for people who primarily wanted to use the iPad as a tablet, but wanted the ability to sometimes use it as a laptop with a keyboard. That feels like the perfect balance for a lot of users.

    Look, obviously, Apple has a lot more information about how people use iPads, keyboards, and cases than I ever will. My personal experience is just mine. Maybe there really weren’t that many people who were buying Smart Folio Keyboards.

    It’s time, Apple

    I still can’t figure out why Apple discontinued such a great product. The new generation of iPad Pro is very much not compatible with the previous Smart Folio Keyboard, and Apple hasn’t released a new version that would work. I think it’s time that it did.

    My reason is simple: There isn’t anything else that even comes close. You can buy alternatives to the Magic Keyboard—the Logitech Combo Touch is a great option with a solid keyboard and touchpad. There is an even wider range of alternatives to the Smart Folio. The Smart Folio Keyboard, however, was the singular option for a lightweight cover with a very good keyboard.

    That’s why I think Apple should bring it back. It fills a need that no one else seems to care enough to fill. Apple is making the very best tablets of any company. It would just be nice if it would bring back the greatest accessory it ever made.

    The opinions expressed here by Inc.com columnists are their own, not those of Inc.com.

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    Jason Aten

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  • 5 Secrets to Product Success From Japanese Tradition

    5 Secrets to Product Success From Japanese Tradition

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    In a world where “innovation” is the new buzzword, it’s easy to forget that some of the best ideas come from time-tested traditions.

    Japan has a long history of creating products that are not only durable and reliable but also aesthetically pleasing. From cars to electronics, the country has a reputation for quality, and this is no recent development. In ancient Japan, artisans strived for perfection in their craft, and this commitment to excellence is still evident in products made there today. So, what can we learn from the Japanese approach to product design? Here are five secrets to success:

    1. The design must be an experience in itself

    A Japanese idiom says, “mono no aware,” which translates to “the profound appreciation of the beauty of fleeting moments.” This philosophy is evident in many Japanese products, which are designed to be enjoyed for their aesthetic appeal as well as their function.

    One product that epitomizes this idea is the Furoshiki, a traditional Japanese wrapping cloth. These cloths are typically made from beautiful fabrics, and they can be used to wrap gifts or to carry objects. The act of folding the cloth into a specific shape is a meditative process, and the result is a work of art that can be reused again and again.

    Modern products, too, can be designed with the “mono no aware” philosophy in mind. For example, even a simple suitcase can be transformed into a luxurious experience if it is well-crafted and beautiful to look at. The luggage and travel firm Monos.com is named after this Japanese concept, which recently raised $30 million in funding, demonstrating that there is strong demand for products that offer more than just utility.

    2. Form should follow function

    The Japanese aesthetic known as “wabi-sabi” embraces imperfection, and this principle is often applied to product design. The idea is that a product should be designed to perform its function well, and its form should be secondary.

    This philosophy is evident in the design of traditional Japanese swords. These swords are designed first and foremost for battle, and their form follows function. They are not meant to be beautiful objects; instead, they are meant to be deadly, efficient weapons.

    Ironically, the functionality of these swords often makes them more beautiful, as their simple designs are elegant and efficient. In a world where many products are overloaded with unnecessary features, the wabi-sabi philosophy is a refreshing reminder that less can be more.

    3. Simplicity is key

    Another Japanese aesthetic, “shibui,” translates to “elegant simplicity.” This philosophy is evident in many Japanese products, which are designed to be as simple and efficient as possible.

    One example is the bullet train, which was designed to be a fast and efficient way to travel between cities. The trains are sleek and streamlined, with no unnecessary flourishes. This simplicity makes them not only efficient but also beautiful in their own way.

    4. Materials matter

    In Japan, great importance is placed on the selection of materials. Artisans take care to select only the finest materials for their products, and they often use traditional methods to process them.

    For example, Japanese paper is made from a type of tree called kozo. The bark of the tree is harvested and then boiled to create a pulp. This pulp is then formed into sheets of paper, which are left to dry in the sun. The result is a strong and durable paper that is used for everything from arts and crafts to traditional architecture.

    5. Quality over quantity

    In Japan, it is believed that a product should be made to last a lifetime. This philosophy is known as “monozukuri,” which translates to “the art of making things.”

    Monozukuri is a holistic approach to product design that takes into account everything from the materials used to the manufacturing process. The goal is to create products that are not only functional and reliable but also beautiful and timeless.

    This philosophy is evident in Japanese cars, which are known for their durability and quality. Many Japanese cars are still on the road today, decades after they were first manufactured. This is a testament to the quality of the materials and the care that goes into their construction.

    Japan has a long history of creating quality products, and there is much we can learn from their approach. By applying the principles of “mono no aware,” “wabi-sabi,” and “monozukuri,” we can create products that are not only functional, efficient and reliable, but also aesthetically pleasing and timeless.

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    Frederik Bussler

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