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Objects of Desire

By Katherine Bourzac

1999, Palm V
"If I had to pick one product as the best of the last 20 years, it would be the Palm V," says Duarte. " It has the three essential attributes of design: substance, style, and simplicity. It set the essential feature set for a PDA. Its metallic case had no exposed screws or fasteners. The hardware and software set were part of one experience. Its leather cover and metallic body really made it a fashionable accessory item you could create an emotional relationship with. Before the Palm V, you were happy if you could get a device with the right feature set. If it was always easy to use, you were ecstatic. Style was unusual. Once an object reaches technological maturity, it becomes about an aesthetic feature set. In the consumer electronics industry, we're constantly riding that wave."