Background

The Palm Solutions Group rebranded its product line in 2002. The first entry in the new high-end line—the Tungsten T—shipped with new media features, including a built-in microphone. The problem was to design a voice memo application that users could operate single-handed without looking at the screen.

The project

Designing the interface for Voice Memo was fairly straightforward. Real-world standards for sound and video equipment were adapted for use onscreen. I designed the large, finger-tappable buttons to look like standard hardware recording controls.

The real design challenge was to define a set of hardware button presses which allowed the user to operate the voice memo application without looking at the screen.

The eventual solution was simple. If the user presses and releases the Voice Memo button the application launches. This follows the behavior of the standard Palm Contacts, Calendar, Note Pad and Tasks buttons. If the user presses and holds the Voice Memo button the handheld beeps and the user can begin recording a voice memo. Recording continues until the Voice Memo button is released.

While recording, the onscreen gauge represents the maximum possible recording time allowed by available memory. During playback, the gauge represents the actual length of the recording.