I know the iPod touch/iPhone is famous for its excellent interface, but I want to tell you a little bit about it anyway.
With all the varied features (music, video, photos, wifi, applications, e-mail, etc.), the interface for such a complex device is easy to get wrong. There are several reasons why Apple seems to have got this one right. Here is my list of a few design elements that make the iPod touch easy to use.
1. Few buttons: The iPod touch has 2 physical buttons and a volume rocker. This limits the confusion that can come with many buttons. Furthermore, each button only does 2 things. The power button on top puts the iPod in standby mode when pressed and turns it off when held for a few seconds. The home button goes home (duh) and switches to music controls when double-clicked. Because of the many features of the iPod touch, it would not make sense to have a few physical buttons to control the wide array of features. This would give too many functions to one button, which would be confusing to use.
2. "Natural" navigation: The iPod touch contains several navigation features that add to the usability of the device. For example, when looking through lists, web pages, e-mails, documents, etc., you just "flick" the screen and the document scrolls. This gives the user more precise control over the scroll speed and feels pretty natural. The icons on the home screen scroll in a similar fasion if you have more icons than the screen can display. The screen on the iPod touch is a "multi-touch" screen. The screen can detect 3 different points of contact instead of the usual one, which eliminates even more buttons and zoom bars, among other things. The iPod also contains an accelerometer, so different modes can be accessed if the iPod touch is held sideways. All these things help eliminate clumsy, tiny buttons. These all add up to greater ease of use.
3. Automation: The iPod touch automates many tasks and remembers many settings so the user doesn't have to press as many buttons. For example, when you come in range of a wireless network you have accessed before, the iPod automatically connects to it, and remembers the password if there is one. It also automatically scans for updates for any "apps" you have downloaded and notifies you if any are found. When opening the e-mail app, it automatically checks for new mail and downloads it. If you remove the headphones, the music automatically pauses. This all helps the usability of the device.
These are just a few things I have noticed about my iPod. I really like this device, and it is just as useful as it is entertaining. It is easy to use all the features and get the most out of it.
3 comments of glory:
The automation is so true. I find that I can connect to wireless networks (and VPNS for that matter) much easier and faster than with any computer (even my Mac! how sad)
I like that feature of it pausing the music! Oh, do to I wish the Microsoft mute button would work as well as that. Maybe I can do another piece on that one eventually.
Now I need to look away from this post; I might just want an IPod touch.
As someone who has traditionally gotten along fairly well without a portable music player, the new iPod sure looks pretty good, might even talk myself into believing I can afford to get one.
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