Haphone, LLC

20/20 Hindsight

It’s been said that 90% of innovation is defining the problem. With that in mind, here are several major problems that Haphone solves that were previously either unseen or under-appreciated.

Mobile Phone Use is Too Hand Intensive

While the desirability of hands-free use is appreciated for heavy phone users, and somewhat appreciated for drivers, it is not appreciated how desirable it is for everyday users. Unnecessary hand-use during mobile telephony is equivalent to temporary amputation of the arm and hand holding the cell phone, and thus presents a huge cost to the user. Removing this cost would also users to accomplish more: shop for groceries, take out the trash, work at a computer, carry bags, open doors, manage children, handle restaurant trays – all while carrying on a phone conversation. Removing the hand-use cost would also allow users to talk more easily, more frequently and for longer periods of time.

Personal Audio Devices are Separate

Currently, accessing different audio applications (mobile telephony, cordless telephony, music playing) requires that users carry separate devices. Obviously this is costly: each device is weighty and bulky, and must be carried somehow – while a user’s body provides only a limited number of ways to carry devices. Moreover, each of these devices must be recharged, each has their own interface (inconsistent with the other devices), and each seems ignorant of the others (e.g., music doesn’t automatically pause when we receive a phone call).

On-Person and Off-Person Devices are Separate

On person devices provide telephony, address books, alarms, music libraries, etc. Yet these same functions are duplicated by off-person devices. Synchronization provides some relief from this problem, but it would be much better if on-person and off-person devices were somehow one and the same.

Personal Devices Look Too Much the Same

Wristwatches provide a huge variety of styles, ranging from massive, multi-dial, multifunction diving watches – to petite elegant ladies watches. Personal electronic devices, in contrast offer very limited style and personalization options. I.e., the mobile phone that a CEO uses the same as his teenage daugther’s!