4 ms·

I have similar experiences as you. I think it comes down to what is each persons' relative level of 'good enough' for each of the usecases. My 2013 Macbook and

I have similar experiences as you. I think it comes down to what is each persons' relative level of 'good enough' for each of the usecases. My 2013 Macbook and even more so my iPhone SE are 'good enough', and so far I haven't found anything else in their categories that can come up to that level. But when it comes to smart home or networking or car electronics or various other places where markets are still fragmented such that earnings per device are small to negative, it's clear that the simpler the better. There's just too many edgecases that engineers don't consider, but will annoy people like you and me tremendously. This discussion also reminds me of this thread, see also my list of links there: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=12333471 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=12333471

semi-extrinsic 10y ago
> But when it comes to smart home or networking or car electronics or various other places where markets are still fragmented such that earnings per device are small to negative, it's clear that the simpler the better. It's not just about markets being small. Many times it's about designers pushing form over function, and people not realising what they're losing. Take induction hobs, for instance. I had to go out of my way to get one with mechanical knobs, as opposed to touch controls, and it's such a huge UX improvement that I now feel handicapped in other people's kitchens. Yet I've had several friends and colleagues express genuine surprise that this is even possible; they've only ever seen induction hobs with touch, and thus assumed it's necessary to have touch on induction.
- m_mueller 10y ago
  Funny that you mention induction stoves - that's exactly what I was discussing among other things in above link. I hate those touch stoves with a passion. What were they thinking? It has one job!
  - lmm 10y ago
    > I hate those touch stoves with a passion. What were they thinking? It has one job! They're easier to clean. They look better. They're possibly cheaper.
    - VLM 10y ago
      That's the problem, kitchens are trendy again, and looking good in "better homes and gardens" is always the death knell of usability. If you want to cook, you'll have to take portable appliances onto the deck or into the basement because kitchens are solely about looking good now. There are snarky analogies to web design in the above, BTW.
    - at-fates-hands 10y ago
      >> They're easier to clean. They look better. They're possibly cheaper. You add supposedly safer as well. Since no heat is generated unless the pan is on the stove, it's safer for kids. Apparently the jury is still out on the technology since it uses electromagnetic currents: Another Dangerous Cooking Appliance – Induction Stovetops - http://breastcancerconqueror.com/another-dangerous-cooking-appliance-induction-stovetops/ http://breastcancerconqueror.com/another-dangerous-cooking-a... Health Issues with Induction Cooktops - http://www.livestrong.com/article/312052-health-issues-with-induction-cooktops/ http://www.livestrong.com/article/312052-health-issues-with-... Is Induction Cooking Safe? - http://www.magdahavas.com/is-induction-cooking-safe/ http://www.magdahavas.com/is-induction-cooking-safe/
      - m_mueller 10y ago
        I have nothing against induction as a stove mechanism, just against the touch panels of recent ones.

semi-extrinsic 10y ago

> But when it comes to smart home or networking or car electronics or various other places where markets are still fragmented such that earnings per device are small to negative, it's clear that the simpler the better. It's not just about markets being small. Many times it's about designers pushing form over function, and people not realising what they're losing. Take induction hobs, for instance. I had to go out of my way to get one with mechanical knobs, as opposed to touch controls, and it's such a huge UX improvement that I now feel handicapped in other people's kitchens. Yet I've had several friends and colleagues express genuine surprise that this is even possible; they've only ever seen induction hobs with touch, and thus assumed it's necessary to have touch on induction.

m_mueller 10y ago
Funny that you mention induction stoves - that's exactly what I was discussing among other things in above link. I hate those touch stoves with a passion. What were they thinking? It has one job!
- lmm 10y ago
  > I hate those touch stoves with a passion. What were they thinking? It has one job! They're easier to clean. They look better. They're possibly cheaper.
  - VLM 10y ago
    That's the problem, kitchens are trendy again, and looking good in "better homes and gardens" is always the death knell of usability. If you want to cook, you'll have to take portable appliances onto the deck or into the basement because kitchens are solely about looking good now. There are snarky analogies to web design in the above, BTW.
  - at-fates-hands 10y ago
    >> They're easier to clean. They look better. They're possibly cheaper. You add supposedly safer as well. Since no heat is generated unless the pan is on the stove, it's safer for kids. Apparently the jury is still out on the technology since it uses electromagnetic currents: Another Dangerous Cooking Appliance – Induction Stovetops - http://breastcancerconqueror.com/another-dangerous-cooking-appliance-induction-stovetops/ http://breastcancerconqueror.com/another-dangerous-cooking-a... Health Issues with Induction Cooktops - http://www.livestrong.com/article/312052-health-issues-with-induction-cooktops/ http://www.livestrong.com/article/312052-health-issues-with-... Is Induction Cooking Safe? - http://www.magdahavas.com/is-induction-cooking-safe/ http://www.magdahavas.com/is-induction-cooking-safe/
    - m_mueller 10y ago
      I have nothing against induction as a stove mechanism, just against the touch panels of recent ones.