Memory boxes lets life go on online after death

The passing away of a loved one is always difficult, as there is always the sombre part of sorting through the deceased’s belongings, and figuring out what to do with them. That’s still workable in the physical world, but what about the online world? Imagine billions of updates on Twitter, the numerous photos on Flickr and hours of YouTube video still hanging around cyberspace – what will happen to all that personal information?

Richard Banks thinks that he has solved that dilemma with a “memory box” of sorts, and being an interaction designer for Microsoft, he certainly has the credentials to work on this project alongside his team which is based in Cambridge. The memory box plays on the concept of digital memories, and how one’s digital self can be enjoyed even after death.

A bunch of devices were developed to run independently from any computer or other Internet device, but rather will function like a traditional box of pictures and memories. Images are displayed through an interactive touchscreen, and touching those photos will transport you to a corresponding timeline. Since they’re designed to work independently, there is no hardware race to catch up with.