The Knowledge Navigator

Features from this 1987 video that have been realized:

  • Touch interface (iPhone)
  • Voice commands (Speakable items)
  • Animated views (Core Animation)
  • Video conferencing (iChat)
  • Looking at documents in a video conference (iChat Theater)

Someone needs to implement the bow-tied digital butler.

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6 Responses to “The Knowledge Navigator”

  1. Peter Hosey Says:

    For another blast from the past (in a slightly different vein), see Steve Jobs showing off NeXTStep’s Interface Builder. It’s about two-thirds of the way into the video, IIRC.

  2. Cathy Says:

    I love that video : ) It always surprises me how many of the NeXTStep interface designs are still around today in OS X.

  3. Superdotman Says:

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  4. Jochen Wolters Says:

    If you enjoyed this video, you should also check out Sun’s Starfire project from 1992, which was headed by Bruce Tognazzini.

    It presents some very interesting advanced touch screen gestures, e.g., for scanning a document.

    Although it won’t take anything away from the usability and collaboration concepts presented in the video, I was surprised by the mediocrity of the design language used in Sun’s video: the UI widgets, the bulky laptop at 9:30min into the video, and especially that red car are anything but elegant.

    And, of course, the surveillance camera view is downright eerie. Privacy, anyone?

  5. Cathy Says:

    Jochen:

    Wowowo! That video is amaaazing! And “Starfire” is the best name. : D Thanks for pointing it out!

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