How many LEDs are too many?

[Derek Snyder]

If any of you have been following trends in new Pocket PCs-- there is a lot of focus on packing in several different technologies.

For example, the latest iPAQs have Bluetooth and WiFi built-in, in addition to all the normal Pocket PC features.

As a result, there are now a plethora of light-up LEDs on the top of devices. This begs the question, how many LEDs are too many? What if a Pocket PC were to bundle in Pocket PC Phone Edition features like a WWAN radio? Would you want the LEDs to be every color of the rainbow to distinguish? Would you want them labeled?

I'm curious.

[Kevin Kulic]

I love lights - the more the better. ;-)

[Pony99CA]

Originally posted by Derek Snyder
For example, the latest iPAQs have Bluetooth and WiFi built-in, in addition to all the normal Pocket PC features.

As a result, there are now a plethora of light-up LEDs on the top of devices. This begs the question, how many LEDs are too many? What if a Pocket PC were to bundle in Pocket PC Phone Edition features like a WWAN radio? Would you want the LEDs to be every color of the rainbow to distinguish? Would you want them labeled?
There should be as many as needed to provide easy functionality. Good design would dictate they all be labelled in some way (icons or text) and be easy to distinguish visually (different colors is particularly effective, although putting lights of the same color in obvious places, like on the antenna of the active device, would work, too).

Personally, I feel that even non-connected Pocket PCs don't usually have enough lights. I don't like that my iPAQ 3870 shares the same light for charging and alarms. If you have an alarm go off while the device is charging, you can't see the charging status.

If I recall, my old Sharp Mobilon Handheld PC had a yellow LED for charging (blinking while charging, solid when done) and a red LED for alarms.

So I want a Pocket PC with at least two LEDs, plus one for each communication medium.

Steve

[lalex]

Let for WiFi?

It's enough to have a SW-based indicator. WiFi/BT aire power-hungry and adding LED indicators doesn't help at conserving power.

The only useful LED is the charging LED that also CAN be used as a silent schedule alert. Anythign more than that is eye candy.

At least I would like an option to disable LED indicators selectively.

Alex