MWC 2010: Futuristic First Else hands-on
Today we have paid a visit to the creators of the First Else. Else is the name of the manufacturer and clearly First stands for the first device by this Israelian brand.
The First Else has been designed by the philosophy that smartphones have gone through an enormous development but that the usability has not improved. That's why these devices are still mainly phones. According to the creators of the First Else this is actually the first mobile device with phone. The possibility to call is just another application like others and receives just enough attention. In order to make this possible the First Else comprises a completely new and unconventional interface. The main focus of this interface is the operation with one hand, yet with one thumb. For now this is mainly appropriate for righthanded users.
Most attention has been gone to the design of the homescreen. On the righthand side we see half a circle with 3 themes: phone, diary and media. Alle applications can be started from this point with the thumb.
When you turn the device 180 degrees, the voicerecorder will be activated which can be turned on quickly with the camerabutton.
Below on the homescreen is a small widget in the shape of a textbar which can provide information on stock or the weather and when clicked on the screens opens with more elaborate information.
When operating the device you continuously have to keep your thumb on the screen and by swiping your thumb and pressing the item on the menu you can open the application. This demands some exercise but you'll get the hang of it eventually. When you have opened one of the three submenus, move your thumb to the left to open an application. Subsequently you swipe to the file or message, leave the screen and it will be opened.
Within all opened applications the more important content can be found in the middle of the screen and above and below that other information and files.
Space has been saved by hiding the top row of numbers on the QWERTY-keyboard. You don't see it, but it's there. The numbers can be used by pressing a letterkey after which a magnifying-glass appears. By moving upwards the number will appear on screen.
Besides the interface with the half-circle there's also a more standard menu with conventional keys. This menu has the same applications as the half-circle, which for some people will at first be easier to understand and use.
We think that the First Else is a very interesting idea but created for a rather small group of users who want to try these innovative concepts. The device will be available on the market in Q2 or Q3 in the US and Western-Europe.
