Pervasive systems are used in the milieu of other conceptually demanding social and taskoriented
interactions—and they will fail if they demand the system user’s full attention. In January
2003, we discussed a usability methodology applied to a highly successful restaurant
order system (V. Stanford, “Pervasive Computing Puts Food on the Table”). In April 2004, we
published an initial usability evaluation framework that systematized the concepts discussed in
the earlier work (J. Scholtz and S. Consolvo, “Toward a Framework for Evaluating Ubiquitous
Computing Applications”). This issue further extends techniques for producing usable pervasive
applications: virtual product design allows users to test simulated versions of pervasive
devices before the hardware becomes available. VPD adds a new chapter to the usability and
design story we’ve been covering. I hope you enjoy its contribution to our ongoing discussion
of how to create usable pervasive systems. I think it will be important.