Power Cord User Interface Design.

Using the power cord as a user interface, UI, from the MIT Tangible Media Group, is interesting in many ways:

• Transparent design ala Norman.
• Energy monitoring and such (why not also put in a current monitor?).
• Microcontrollers and embedded systems. Related to IoT

Have always been in favor of cables... Like 802.3af Power over Ethernet, Standard USB power.

Update: Reference Books for Device, Apparatus and Electronics Design.

Omission in Reference Books for Device, Apparatus and Electronics Design was pointed out. Was going to just update, but seemed worthy of new post.

Where the core is design Donald Norman's Design of Everyday Things should be considered. It is both a classic, and has a new edition in 2013. One forgets usability and affordance at one's peril.