3.1 Introduction

In early 1999, Netpliance, Inc. formed on the belief that the time is ripe for Internet appliances. The premise of the company is that a huge shift is about to occur in the world of the Internet. The drumbeat of the shift is expected to be more than just new communication speeds (Broadband, Internet2, etc.) and new content feeds (XML). The sound of this drumbeat is coming from the onslaught of a whole new generation of viewers who are lining up to join the digital lifestyle on "The Net." The benefits of a digital lifestyle are attracting new users who do not tolerate technology-centric products that are difficult to master. In order to make the Internet ready for the wave of new users, we believe that a new approach must commence that is focused on human factors and user-centered design. Netpliance is helping to pioneer a new way for "all of us" to get online by building a company from the ground up and focusing on learnability, usability, and affordability. As an Internet appliance service provider, Netpliance is providing the user community with the ability to access their information from anywhere and to have one universal information repository (Prism) that will extend the usefulness of their information appliances.

This chapter provides a case study of the design and development of the Netpliance i-opener a small, countertop information appliance that supports electronic mail, categorized content (e.g.,...