This isn't the first time Apple has put aesthe...

2011-02-08T00:57:33.912+01:00

This isn't the first time Apple has put aesthetic over usability. Look at the iPhone 4 with it's double sided glass walls. I've read countless stories of folks dropping the phone because it's so darn slick (and have done it myslef a few times, too). But man, does it look good!

If you need to put labels on it or if people ne...

2011-02-04T01:06:40.771+01:00
If you need to put labels on it or if people need to read the manual: your design is no good.

Do you really believe that? In no cases should you ever need to read a manual or a cue sheet? Not for IKEA furniture, not for setting three periods of cooking at varying temps on a microwave, not on Photoshop.

I think you really mean that the basic features shouldn't need a label or a manual for people familiar with things in the class.

You *can* use the Magic Mouse without reading the details -- just plug it in and click, you'll figure it out how quick -- but you'll loose out on the subtleties and the advanced stuff. (Like dong a two-fingered swipe on the mouse itself. Who would imagine that, used to standard mice?) Same is true of Photoshop -- if you know some software, you can get around the UI and do some stuff, but for how to use some of the features, you'd really better read up.

This label on the Magic Mouse seems to me to be aimed at (a) people who have never used any but a one-button mouse and (b) people who have never used any but a standard mouse. And it's certainly put in the right place: in your face if the mouse will be used at all, since you have to remove it to free the sensor.

Seems to me the only real way to reduce the issue is to reduce the functionality.

Comments on uselog.com | the product usability weblog: Apple's Magic Mouse hasn't got a clue

This isn't the first time Apple has put aesthe...

If you need to put labels on it or if people ne...