Usability Views Article Details  home | timeline | recent | popular | e-reports | userati | books | about  The meaning of iPod (10 Jun 2004) By granting them control over their environment-the audible environment, at least-the iPod allows its users to escape into their own little private bubbles. When standing in line at the airport, or waiting for a late train, iPod users feel that not everything, at least, is out of their control. They are also, says Dr Bull, far more selective about answering their mobile phones. That suggests that adding phone functionality to the iPod would be a bad idea, since it would facilitate intrusion. Article URL: http://www.economist.com/science/tq/displayStory.cfm?story_id=2724432 Read 42 more articles from Economist sorted by date, popularity, or title. Next Article: The SIGCHI Bulletin Web Site is here This site is a labour of love built by Chris McEvoy