Usability Be Damned: Apple takes us beyond usability.
I have to pay more attention to things. Every once in a while the world changes when I’m not looking. Sure, I noticed that Apple was on a roll. I own three Apple machines and covet another. That is up from zero a couple years ago. I know a lot of you are experiencing something similar but I’m in the industry and am therefore supposed to notice such things or better yet predict them. OK, in my own defense I did see this coming but until the iPhone I didn’t really get why it was happening and why it changes everything.
Apple has long held itself up as an example of style and usability. Some years this was justified and others it was not. Apple inserted the iPod into the world of fashion. It was the first Apple purchase I had made in many years. But there is something even more significant happening at Apple, perhaps a more lasting insight than simply tuning hardware into a fashion accessory. Apple has also long held itself above others with their vaunted usability. When I bought my first iPod I looked at it long and hard to see where the usability innovations were. I was rather disappointed, it was kind of hard to use, especially in my car. But I had to admit it was fun. And this, I believe, is their big idea. Products you use for fun should be fun to use. You should desire to pull the object out because it fells good in your hand, it make you look good, it is fun to fiddle with, it sucks you in. Apple took usability one better. In a day when more and more of our discretionary spending is targeted towards music, TV, entertainment, fashion—fun, anyone that doesn’t deliver fun is going to be left out. Usability isn’t good enough anymore, only productivity products can rest at being usable.
Usability be damned—products you buy for fun should be fun to use.
Update: I’m collecting iPhone stories in this trail.
Update:
I have owned my iPhone now for three months and am still quite happy with it. I find it interesting that a device with such serious drawbacks is so likeable. Apple has pulled various fast ones on their users like requiring that you plug their earbuds into the thing. My nice Shure phones need to be carved down to fit into the jackhole. Also my car connector, the one I use for my older iPod, doesn’t work on my iPhone. I’m not sure who’s fault this is but ultimately Apple must take responsibility. Also why can’t I sync via bluetooth or wifi? I hate the silly cords you have to carry around everywhere. I assume this last will be solved by future software upgrades but I’m impatient.
Don’t get me wrong. I still love the thing. Like a newborn it has its crappy moments even though it is beautiful and shows such potential.