TABLE OF CONTENTS The principal factors that shape the design of a portable electronic device are as follows:
Functionality
Performance
User interface
Form-factor
Battery life
Cost
Time-to-market
Reliability
The priority of these factors depends on the product concept and the market segment that is being targeted. While trade-offs between these different factors are a natural part of the design process, maintaining a clear distinction between these factors is essential in developing the product concept. While there are other ways to organize the elements of a portable electronic device, this particular set of factors is particularly important because it covers all dimensions of the product, and each factor corresponds to a quality that is directly experienced by the end user.
In almost all cases, functionality is the most important factor in the design of a portable electronic product. To design a successful product, the functionality must be clearly defined, focused, and not confused with the other design factors. Unfortunately, many product designers succumb to the temptation to add additional functional features because the technology enables additional features at no extra cost. The result has often been an unfocused product concept that allows the individual to perform too many functions. All too often, such products do not perform any single function very well.
While many portable electronic devices do have multiple functions, these functions are often secondary to a primary product functional concept on which the product is based. These...
