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Imagine a PipBoy in todays world


Cyvanhoe

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1. Touchscreen

 

2. Wireless capabilities

 

3. mp3/mpeg playable

 

4. Built-in communication with camera so I can display my face on the screen of other Pipboy users in real-time when a link is established.

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I would settle for what the Pip-Boy actually offers in the games:

 

Alarm Clock

GPS Navigation with Top-Down Maps (a la Google Earth)

Calendar

"Notebook" with text or voice entry, and sorting/grouping of entries (think Quest Log, "Notes" section).

AM/FM Radio

Geiger Counter :D

 

and then, the pleasant additions:

 

Wi-Fi with full Browser

Digital music playback (not just mp3s!)

Camera

HD Radio/Satellite Radio

 

etc.

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I've been fantasizing for years about just such a thing, which I've always called an "Arm-Band Computer."

 

I'd mostly agree with Tekmon's list of 13 features (counting Cyvanhoe's #11), and we can add in felixir's touchscreen and camera for 14 and 15; but then I'd add a few more:

 

 

 

16. Optical Scanner - For "mobile tagging" of 2D and 3D barcodes. (Really that'd just be an extra bit of software for the camera, but it is a separate feature.)

 

17. Medical Monitor - Monitors your heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature, etc. …basically anything that can be monitored from a device strapped to your forearm should be monitored. For diabetics, it might even check their blood sugar level.

 

18. Detachable Grip Control - An optional attachment that would slide up into the palm of the hand (on whichever arm is wearing the device), to allow you to use the thing with just one hand—leaving the other arm completely free. It could be as simple as a short cylinder, with a thumb pad or miniature "hat button" on the end to control an onscreen cursor, with a single "trigger" button for selection. When not in use, it can be locked in place on the device's casing (or on the straps that hold it to the arm).

 

 

 

Question: Do you think it would help guarantee survivability if the screen had a cover plate for whenever you're not using it? Maybe the screen might even be on that cover plate—much like a laptop's screen—in which case there would probably even be enough room for a full miniature keyboard when the screen is open… but would that be desirable? Or would you prefer a minimal number of buttons, and an onscreen software keyboard?

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The biggest problem with a Pip-Boy is the fact that it's strapped to one of your arms, so a full keyboard wouldn't be much use. The detachable grip control is a good idea to restore some use for the hand that can't reach it, but it's no fun holding your arm up in front of you for long periods of time even without a heavy computer strapped to it (try it).

 

A better wearable computer would have goggle monitors, or some kind of wearable HUD, so you don't need to assume a particular posture to use the computer. The keyboard/pointing device could be located in coat pockets, and the CPU could be situated in a belt or something. Would be much more comfortable to use that way.

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Guys, if anyone is a awesome modder, someone could make a pip-boy rather easy. Just having a knowledge of taking things apart and putting them in a different casing. Then someone who can program the system or something and voila!

 

Pipboys in this day and age would be relatively simple for an experienced programmer/modder. We have the technology for mostly everything mentioned in this topic.

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Guys, if anyone is a awesome modder, someone could make a pip-boy rather easy. Just having a knowledge of taking things apart and putting them in a different casing. Then someone who can program the system or something and voila!

 

Pipboys in this day and age would be relatively simple for an experienced programmer/modder. We have the technology for mostly everything mentioned in this topic.

 

True, and as much as I'd like those ideas to be realized by some company... I think the size and that it is strapped around the users arm would count as a design no-go.

 

Todays electronics have to be small, smaller, ant-size it seems.

 

Seriously, I totally disagree with that. I like my toys BIG. :thumbsup:

 

Oh well, we still can dream about it, right ?

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Eh, I wasn't trying to say that a company needs to do it. Anyone who is proficient can probably code a system that can interact with todays phones and computers, which means that a company doesn't need to do it. Someone could make some mean cash from all the Fallout fans, eh?
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