iPad ergonomics may be harmful

Dick Taffe — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 17:00:18 +0000

Apple’s ballyhooed new iPad (and other e-readers like Kindle and Nook) can eventually lighten the load of student backpacks. That’s good. But Sargent College Professor Karen Jacobs, who researches how such gagets challenge human capabilities, fears the touch-screen iPad may lead to some unintended harmful ergonomic problems.

“In the case of the iPad, which has a completely touch surface, students will be using many different hand/wrist positions that place them in awkward postures. Students are already reporting discomfort with small 2×3-inch touch pads, so we can imagine what an entire touch screen will cause in discomfort.”

Contact Karen Jacobs, 617-353-7516, kjacobs@bu.edu

Sony runs at Amazon’s Kindle

Dick Taffe — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 20:55:48 +0000

Sony has unveiled two new, reduced-price e-reader devices, aimed at making a dent in marketplace grip held by Amazon’s Kindle. College of Communication Pr0fessor Hyun-Yeul Lee, a communications technology expert, says Sony’s move speaks to how consumers are catching on and transitioning from paper-based reading to digital reading.

“It is natural that as the market grows for these e-readers, the user interface, technology for reading and access, pricing from a consumer point of view, and content availability will improve.”

Contact Hyun-Yeul Lee, 617-353-5974, hyun@bu.edu

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iPad ergonomics may be harmful

Sony runs at Amazon’s Kindle