PickCells: A Physically Reconfigurable Cell-composed Touchscreen

Touchscreens are the predominant medium for interactions with digital services; however, their current fixed form factor narrows the scope for rich physical interactions by limiting interaction possibilities to a single, planar surface. In this paper we introduce the concept of PickCells, a fully reconfigurable device concept composed of cells, that breaks the mould of rigid screens and explores a modular system that affords rich sets of tangible interactions and novel acrossdevice relationships. Through a series of co-design activities – involving HCI experts and potential end-users of such systems – we synthesised a design space aimed at inspiring future research, giving researchers and designers a framework in which to explore modular screen interactions. The design space we propose unifies existing works on modular touch surfaces under a general framework and broadens horizons by opening up unexplored spaces providing new interaction possibilities. In this paper, we present the PickCells concept, a design space of modular touch surfaces, and propose a toolkit for quick scenario prototyping

Ocena i dekonstrukcja wpływu finansów cyfrowych na synergię rozwoju gospodarczego przedsiębiorstw i środowiska przyrodnicze-go

The impact of digital finance on enterprise economic development and ecological environment has been widely debated and researched. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate and deconstruct the relationship between digital finance and the synergy of enterprise economic development and ecological environment. The paper examines the benefits and drawbacks of digital finance and its influence on the economy, as well as its impact on the ecological environment. Through a comprehensive literature review and empirical analysis, the study investigates the mechanisms through which digital finance affects the synergy of enterprise economic development and ecological environment, and evaluates the effectiveness of current measures and policies to address these impacts. The results of this study provide valuable insights for policymakers, researchers, and practitioners on how to achieve a balance between digital finance and sustainable development. By deconstructing the relationship between digital finance and the synergy of enterprise economic development and ecological environment, this paper aims to contribute to the development of sustainable finance models and to foster a deeper understanding of the role of digital finance in shaping a sustainable future.Wpływ finansów cyfrowych na rozwój gospodarczy przedsiębiorstw i środowisko przyrodnicze jest szeroko dyskutowany i badany. Celem artykułu jest ocena i dekonstrukcja zależności pomiędzy finansami cyfrowymi a synergią rozwoju gospodarczego przedsiębiorstw i środowiska przyrodniczego. W artykule zbadano zalety i wady finansów cyfrowych oraz ich wpływ na gospodarkę, a także wpływ na środowisko ekologiczne. Poprzez kompleksowy przegląd literatury i analizę empiryczną w badaniu zbadano mechanizmy, za pośrednictwem których finanse cyfrowe wpływają na synergię rozwoju gospodarczego przedsiębiorstw i środowiska przyrodniczego, a także oceniono skuteczność obecnych środków i polityk mających na celu zaradzenie tym wpływom. Wyniki badania dostarczają decydentom, badaczom i praktykom cennych informacji na temat sposobów osiągnięcia równowagi między finansami cyfrowymi a zrównoważonym rozwojem. Dekonstruując związek pomiędzy finansami cyfrowymi a synergią rozwoju gospodarczego przedsiębiorstw i środowiska przyrodniczego, niniejszy artykuł ma na celu przyczynienie się do rozwoju modeli zrównoważonych finansów i głębsze zrozumienie roli finansów cyfrowych w kształtowaniu zrównoważonej przyszłości

Modularity and network integration: emergent sustainable services in mobile payment systems

This paper introduces the concept of modularity in financial services, discusses how new value chains are created and addresses emerging opportunities for innovative business models in the digital economy. We argue that innovation occurred in the banking sector despite the lagging adoption of new operational practices but due to technology drive for new ways to provide services. Banking innovation is commonly a matter of case facilitation vs. lock-in, in which the systemic effects of balancing delay vs. fast progress requires business model choices. In the banking sector, where there is little power stability among stakeholders, asymmetrical periods of dynamism are triggered by the modernization of the systems [13]. The main argument of this paper is that we can use models of modularity and network integration to improve our understanding of sustainable emerging banking practices. This is fundamental when establishing the potential contribution of this sector to digital economy models

American Teenage Vision and the Value of Cool

One quarter of American youth have a vision problem that, left untreated, can impact personality and academic achievement. The vast majority of these cases could be remediated with a pair of eyeglasses. However, even when kids and teenagers are prescribed glasses, many do not wear them. This thesis questions why this problem - which has a seemingly straightforward solution and clear benefit - has not been resolved. First, it discusses current literature and qualitative research on the prevalence of eye correction issues. This paper also focuses on how American teenagers specifically are impacted by this problem. Finally, it suggests a categorical redesign of eyeglasses for this demographic to address many of the issues with glasses on the market today and discusses potential systems-level changes to improve youth health in the United States

Embedded wealth: how fintechs can radically alter the way we invest

Smartphones with embedded payment services created a seamless experience for consumers. Now embedded fintech technology is poised to radically alter the way we interact with investment services. Daniel Tammas-Hastings predicts existential problems for financial institutions that don’t understand the threat of a new embedded finance world

Applications of digital and innovative construction techniques in lower-income countries

Construction technology has experienced rapid changes in recent years associated with the growing use of computers, software development, automation and offsite construction. These advances are helping to address two common problems associated with the industry, namely project delay and safety. A lack of communication between stakeholders and the uncertainties associated with construction sites and processes have been identified as the main causes of construction delays for a number of years. However, recent developments in information and communications technologies (ICT), new cutting-edge technologies (NCETs) and modern methods of construction (MMC) are helping the construction industry to complete projects on time and to budget by improving communications between stakeholders and their pre-engagement with a project. This report reviews examples of successful adoption of digital and innovative construction technologies in low-income countries in the three areas of 1) Building Information Modelling (BIM), 2) Offsite construction, and 3) New cutting-edge technologies (NCETs)

Effects of user experience on user resistance to change to the voice user interface of an in‑vehicle infotainment system: Implications for platform and standards competition

This study examines the effects of user experience on user resistance to change—particularly, on the relationship between user resistance to change and its antecedents (i.e. switching costs and perceived value) in the context of the voice user interface of an in-vehicle infotainment (IVI) system. This research offers several salient findings. First, it shows that user experience positively moderates the relationship between uncertainty costs (one type of switching cost) and user resistance. It also negatively moderates the association between perceived value and user resistance. Second, the research test results demonstrate that users with a high degree of prior experience with the voice user interface of other smart devices exhibit low user resistance to change to the voice user interface in an IVI system. Third, we show that three types of switching costs (transition costs, in particular) may directly influence users to resist a change to the voice user interface. Fourth, our test results empirically demonstrate that both switching costs and perceived value affect user resistance to change in the context of an IVI system, which differs from the traditional IS research setting (i.e. enterprise systems). These findings may guide not only platform leaders in designing user interfaces, user experiences, and marketing strategies, but also firms that want to defend themselves from platform envelopment while devising defensive strategies in platform and standards competition