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Product: USB (thumb drive/ memory stick)
Behavioral 
Image from: Google
Imation Swivel Pro Flash Drive, 1GB, S$20.98
Behavioral:
This thumb drive is purely practical and functional. It is easy to use, and because of its size, it is able to fit into all USB slots. (Seriously. I once had a Kingston thumb drive which is gigantic and it can't fit into certain disc reader because of its body hindering the reader tip to be slot properly into the reader slot.) In addition, it is compatible to all operating system. It also has a USB cap that is attached to the drive itself, and thus the cap wouldn't get lost.
Visceral:
Other than that, I would say that the thumb drive is a common average performer but is culturally acceptable. No one would think that the owner is a geek if he/she carries it. It is absolutely not attractive nor does it helps its owner distinguish himself/herself from the others.
Reflective:
I guess the user experience for this product, if were to describe it in levels, it would be of the lowest. As mentioned by Donald Norman, products are multi-dimensional. Also, in the attempt to define user experience, Jesper Jensen brought up several studies that describe user experience as a component of many things - usability, branding, valuable, context etc. As such, this product has only fulfilled one element of user experience i.e. usability/functionality. In addition, if were to argue using Maslow's theory, it only appeal to the most basic physiological needs.
Visceral
Image from: CNet
Philips Swarovski Lock In USB Memory Key, 1GB, S$250
Behavioral:
How on earth do I insert this drive into the reader? Probably there is a removable cap somewhere. But one look at it, it seems like an expensive keychain more than a usable thumb drive. Whatever the case, this thumb drive only comes in 1GB unlike the imation where it goes up too 8GB. Also, given the body size of the thumb drive, can it really fit properly into the reader slot? I doubt so.
Visceral:
However, given its "blinky" Swarovski crystal and unique lock design (for a thumb drive), it appears attractive. A very cool and elegant design.
Reflective:
Using Maslow's theory, this product will fulfill to esteem needs of a person especially to the Swarovski collectors who would have the strong desire to have it. As mentioned by the reviewer from Cnet, Juniper Foo, such gadgets are more for fashion wear than a tech gear. As such, the branded crystals has make the product has some self-image and show off value. Reflective
Image from: miiSTOR
SanDisk Ice - a platinum thumb drive with 456 white diamonds (5.19ct) that comes with a platinum chain; Reading speed: 15mb, Writing speed: 9mb; S$51,000.
Behavioral:
Although it is backward compatible to USB 1.1 port, and to both windows and mac operating systems, users could barely save anything inside the thumb drive given its pathetic and miserable memory space. It is evidently not produced for the sake of being usable or functional. (May be it is enough for the RICH to store their miserable documents.)
Visceral:
It is sleek, timeless, elegant, expressive and attractive. It is definitely an eye turner if one really uses it or wear it around the neck.
Reflective:
With its exorbitant price and showy aesthetics, this product would definitely fulfill the esteem needs and arguably the self-actualization needs of its users. It reflects one's status symbol, style and evoke a strong sense of self-image.
However, I guess the reflective value of an item also depends very much on the culture, environment, one's context and the marketing of the product. Supposing in a common middle class environment where everyone carries a normal looking thumb drive and you come flashing in with the USB. People will talk about it and want to see it. If you are known to be rich and to be a spendthrift, people will assume it is real and the product will directly reflect your status. However, if you are not known to be so, people will think it is fake and at the most, attracted to the thumb drive because it is different from the normal plain designs. It won't do much self-reflection unless the thumb drive is being marketed and everyone knows about it. Additionally, if from the upper class, it will reinforce your status and give you a chance to compare with others of the same social status.
Others: Just for fun!
Image from: Google
During the advisory council, the panel talk on the future trends in new media, has had Mr Derek Callow from Google mentioning 'user experience' more than five times! He named it as an important concept in contributing to the success of certain products. He specifically mentioned that although there is no 100% sure formula for the success of products, but when designing one, the designer or the team should keep the users in the top of their minds. A great take away I would say, reinforcing what we are learning is of great use.
From today's class, Mr. Reddy helps to reaffirms my analysis that user experience is something very subjective. This is further proven by the class activity - smelling of perfumes. I was so surprised that one of the perfume in which I think it smells like a perfume for an old man is actually for women!!
In addition to that, a new insight was gained. That is, there is no way one can ever design user experience, but what one can do is to design occasion for experiences.
Although I realized that it can be very subjective, I have never ever thought of it as not being able to create. It may be because consumers of products tend to take things for granted. Like what Mr. Reddy mentioned, when something is good it is good. One will enjoy the experience and thought or rather expect that the product is designed to be meant that way. The user will not think from the point of the designer and give thoughts about the process in which it is being created. It is hard to think from the view of the designer I guess, till you are in his/her shoes. It is hard to realize that it is actually true that one cannot design user experience (unless someone pointed out to you) because it is upon the individual to interpret the product. The users' interpretation is something uncontrollable. As such, the only thing a designer can do is to create flavourable moments that will make the users enjoy the process of using the product. However, I have yet to be enlightened on how we can create such instances. I guess these would be taught in the later dates...
Apple's Mighty Mouse
Image from: Apple store
Users comments from:
Grey's Blog
Apple reviews
Users reactions:
There seems to be a mixed reaction towards the product. Some found that it is the worst product the Mac ever designed whereas some thought that it is terrific. There are some who experience difficultly when they first started using the mouse but once they have gotten used to it they fell in love with it. However, according to the famous Wall Street journalist, Walter Mossberg, he commented that for once, Microsoft has beaten Apple on hardware design.
Most of the users who dislike the product had problems adjusting to the design of the button placements and the constant breakdown of the scroll button. As mentioned by one of the users, the side button is too hard to activate with one's thumb and 4th finger. A better option will be using the the thumb and middle finger. However, by doing so, it will be impossible to activate the right-click button.
Impression of the brand:
From their reviews it seem that they are very disappointed with Apple's Mighty Mouse. One even called it the "Mighty Mistake". However, such disappointment only shows that Apple has all along shown respect and insights on user experience. As Grey mentioned,"[n]ever has an Apple product shown such disdain for its users" and "[n]ever has an Apple product been based upon such false assumptions." As such, it only shows that Apple has built a strong brand name and reputation on having hardware and software designs that not only take aesthetics of products into consideration, but also the overall user interaction with its products.
Reflection on the product and user reaction:
The product was claimed to be an answer to the call of many Mac users for right click button. As such, Apple came up with this mouse that combine both its famous one click button and the Windows two-click button. It attempts to enhance user experience integrating a top shell that has a scrolling function. However, the constant breakdown of the scrolling button and the hard to squeeze button, has caused users (extreme) frustration.
In product specific terms, due to technological flop and its design failing to take into consideration the way human fingers are structured.
However, in perspective specific terms, I would argue that the overall user experience is still pleasurable. Other than the aforementioned defects, the mouse looks cool (much better than the two-eye black rodent). In addition, as claimed by those who love the mouse, once you get into the habit of using it you will fall in love with it. As such, although certain elements of the product has hindered the user to fully enjoy his/her experience in the first stage of adoption, the hindrance could be overcome and user may eventually still enjoy the experience. This is however, very much subjective. One of the user has commented that the defects are simply just too much for him to bear. As such, I would argue that user experience is something very much subjective. You may enjoy a certain product but others may not. To design a universally welcomed and enjoyed product that gives users excellent pleasure and experience when using it, is an impossible task.
