the iPhone interface
Apple Computer inhouse design team
OK, somebody had to post it, so it may as well be me, as I've been happily using a grey import for the past few weeks, lucky me. :-)
I'm not going to go into any kind of review of all the good bits, bad bits, or missing bits of functionality. There are plenty of other places to read those kinds of details.
It suddenly occurred to me that this is probably the first time in many years that Apple has visibly focused its design resource PRIMARILY on interaction and connectivity (i.e. what we DO with digital technology and how we do it) rather than on the elegance of the hardware. I know you can cite OSX as a major concern in recent years, but in user terms even that was not so radical a step forward from previous OS, and Apple has always promoted the nebulous and less tangible Operating System interface alongside and frankly subservient to the latest iMac, iPod or MacBook from the brilliant Jonathan Ive design team.
This time it's different. In fact, come to think, I don't recall reading Jonathan Ive's name in connection with the promotion of the iPhone anywhere either in any Apple literature or in any independent review. No, the star of the show is the elegance and effectiveness of the interface itself.
With this in mind two things interest me:
Firstly, how long before the rest of the mobile world catches on to the idea that being in a state of constant and seamless connectedness with your home/office computer, and having only those aspects of functionality that are actually useful and practical whilst on the move, is a logical and pretty basic platform from which to build a useful mobile device?
OK, so you're not connected ALL of the time, but the symbiotic relationship it shares with my laptop is light years ahead of my previous Nokia toy. And Windows on a Blackberry, or whatever, really doesn't cut it when compared side by side with this fully-synchronised MacOS companion.
Secondly, who is else is wondering where the multi-touch interface could migrate from here? Would a multi-touch laptop screen be either useful or desirable? Having direct physical connection with digital information in this way is so delightfully seductive, and so very practical, that surely it can't fail to find its way into other devices sooner rather than later?
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posted by Francesca Granato
on 16 November 2007
Another sexy piece of kit
Would a multi-touch laptop screen be either useful or desirable?
Yes!
I dream of owning a Wacom Cintiq 21UX. It is an evolution of your standard Wacom tablet and pen, but you use the pen directly on your screen.
This sexy piece of kit is the best way, I've seen, of achieving 'direct physical connection with digital information'. But more than that, I am mostly seduced by the ergonomics of it – it looks, (in the demos), comfortable and intuitive.
I look forward to a time in the future when all my kit is multi-touch, fully-synchronised, ergonomically-considered, high-definaition, and good looking.
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=oE2APo_EORQ&feature=related
posted by Matt Cooper
on 16 November 2007
can i custmoise it?
I wonder if Apple will produce color versions of this new ePhone? Certain people do demand a level of customisation in there phones, i'm sure it wont be long before some third party companies spring up to supply hello kitty covers or fluffy socks in which to store them.
Will Apple fight back? I predict that the second genearation will be released in the original five colours that the eMac came out in.
posted by Francesca Granato
on 16 November 2007
Revised comment:
I look forward to a time in the future when all my kit is multi-touch, fully-synchronised, ergonomically-considered, high-definaition, good looking, fully-customizable, fluffy, pink, branded by Sanrio and over-priced.
posted by Warren Payne
on 21 November 2007
Would a multi-touch laptop screen be either useful or desirable?
No. Absolutely not. I have an ipod touch so I like the interface, but it's only suitable for simple tasks and, I believe, only on handhled-type devices.
Seeing a 17 inch x-black widescreen with greasy fingerprints and smudges all over it is not appealing! I know I get twitchy when a client's index finger gets anywhere close my precious shiny pixels! The fact that the ipod touch came with a screen wiping cloth says it all!
There is a drawback with the multi-touch interface on an mp3 player of course. You have to be able to see the screen. So if it's tucked away in your pocket or bag, you can't control anything.
posted by Malcolm Garrett
on 04 December 2007
touch screen : touch data
I'm not so sure I agree with you Warren. I think the genie is out of the bottle. The sheer physicality and immediacy of interacting directly with information on the screen offers too much of a temptation not to see it implemented still further across a wider range of products. The keyboard may not necessarily be supplemented just yet, but the the opportunities for new kinds of direct interaction are immense, and will surely be tapped into very soon.
Also, I've already seen little games and drawing applications written for iPhone and itouch which make use of the motion sensor so I expect more to happen in that space too.