Simplicity in Seattle
Here Comes the ParadeIn my discussion about the 2nd Law organize in The Laws of Simplicity book, I introduce the concept of the gestalt of the iPod. At my recent appearance in the Core77 panel in Boston, two gentlemen were in a heated dispute about their personal preference for their favorite iPod interface.
The 1st version of the iPod controller had buttons surrounding the center scroll dial. In the 2nd version, the four buttons were separated from the central dial and placed in a horizontal row at the top. Subsequent versions of the iPod carry the vastly simplified control wheel where the buttons and dial are “smooshed” together. I tend to rag on the 2nd design, but one of the gentlemen mentioned above absolutely loved 2nd variant over the other designs.
Which version is your personal favorite? Let’s find out.
12 Responses to “Eeny, Meeny, Miny, Moe”
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Why are the labels for the outcome different form the labe for the pictures we voted on?
Sorry, I was barely awake when I put this all together. I started with a certain nomenclature, and then simplified it on this end (but not on the other end). The free polling system doesn’t let you edit things. Okay. It’s back to how I originally did things so there’s less confusion. Thanks Colin!
I’m the gentleman mentioned by John that “loved” the (1st. revision) design and I would like to clarify that my point had a lot to do with context as well as visual layout.
In this case you have to consider that the (1st. revision) also sported the extra four touch-sensitive backlight buttons. Within that context I feel that this solution is superior to the original and it can be argued that it’s more intuitive that the current (2nd. revision) to someone that is not familiar with this interaction model. The third and current generation is obviously the simplest layout hence it sports the fewest elements but remember that:
More: is not always less simple (additional relevant information can be assuring and make things easier to understand)
Less: is not always more simple (I need to be informed about my uncertainties in order to have a good experience)
I have to agree with the gentleman above and I’m surprised by the results.
My girlfriend owns a “iPod 1st revision” while I own one of the current models and even though I obviously use mine a lot more than hers I still find mine much harder to use, especially when operating it under a coat or one handed.
On the “iPod 1st revision” functionality is clearly defined, the wheel is for scrolling and the 4 buttons neatly aligned at the top are for pressing.
I think one major advantage of the 2nd revision over the 1st revision is that it’s much easier to navigate around when not seeing the interface (e.g. ipod hidden in pocket). Maybe this was the reason for button-backlighting in the 1st revision.
I find the “Can you operate it while inside your pocket?”-test an interesting usability test. What a great Thanksgiving Day gift. May the “Andreas Blindfolded Test” long live in the simplicity vocabulary!
[…] I’ve been watching the slow accrual of votes to the iPod interface poll. The leader right now by a wide margin is the current interface for the iPod. However from comments I’ve received during speaking engagements, I’m convinced that the data I’m seeing here might be wrong. Some people really don’t like the current interface, and instead prefer one of the previous options. […]
I really enjoyed the design of the original control. Like “stefan” pointed out, many people i know of (including myself) like to control the ipod when it is hidden in the pocket. So the 1st revision is not so convenient here. I currently owned the 5th generation ipod with the 2nd revision control. The annoying thing is that sometimes I meant to scroll or change the volume on the wheel, but I would accientally press the wheel hard enough that it was recognized as a button press. This doesn’t happen all the time, and it is probably just me that is doing this…
I like the original design because each control only has one motion/function. You don’t have to hold back your force to avoid pressing the wheel too low…
The “in the pocket” navigation scenario changes the context completely again, meaning that it’s not about a straight read any more and there are several other variables involved. In most cases I find context much more interesting than the actual object.
I wonder, is making a mistake bad? Not if it helps you reach your goal faster. So, I wonder if we can test for “best in the pocket” but take it up a notch and ask…
If your life depended on you hitting the PLAY button on your I-pod without making any mistakes or taking it out of your cote pocket, what control design would you choose?
…I’m leaning towards the very first one.
It’s interesting that noone seems to mind the fact that the Play and Pause functions are on the same button - regardless which generation iPod you own. That’s one thing that gets me quite often.
Hit Play… no audio… hmmm, maybe my button press didn’t “take”… hit Play again… still no audio… look at screen… oh, I’m in Pause… hit Play again… what? still no audio??… oh damnit, my headphones were not connected. A toggle switch is great to save on visual clutter and complexity, but it requires knowledge of the current state to be “simple.”
Granted, this is a small complaint but check your other media devices at home or at work. Everything I own at home or deal with at work has separate buttons for Play, Pause, and Stop. Maybe I’m too old fashioned (I’m 38
or maybe my preferences are related to working in the professional recording industry, but I do believe that the simplest and most usable design is one where you don’t have to think before (or after) hitting a button.
Oh, before I forget, I own a fifth generation iPod but never had a chance to play with earlier revisions. Can’t really stick my neck out too much, but the current click wheel design works well for me in general (minus my complaint above
Adrian’s point about not having to think before OR after rings true. The aftermath’s impact can often be worse than the fear of the imminent unknown. Thanks for the important contribution, Adrian.
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