4 ms·

I can see a few good points being made here. But I don't think if someone can't use a device properly, that it's the manufacturers fault for making it hard to u

I can see a few good points being made here. But I don't think if someone can't use a device properly, that it's the manufacturers fault for making it hard to use. Also, I think there are many points being made that are either down to people being told incorrect information, or them just being plain wrong. Regarding using Spotlight to search for apps/files: "Find a spot in Springboard (what’s that?) with no apps or folders." This is wrong, you can swipe down even over apps or folders. "The simplest task that is functionally impossible to do (also on Macintosh): Play exactly one song." Wrong "Apple Pay. Inscrutable and scary even in countries that have had chip cards forever, like Canada." This is not Apple's fault. Here in the UK, we've had a very good chip&pin system, which was updated to wireless readers a few years ago. And Apple Pay just works with them automatically. You'll find it hard to find a place that doesn't support it. I've heard that it's completely the opposite in the US, but does that mean the iPhone is hard to use? Also, it prompts you to set this up when you first use the phone. "Because Apple calls its passwords passcodes, nobody has any clue at all that you can use an alphanumeric password instead of a string of six digits." Oh really. I could include many other quotes here, but it's getting boring. But there is one point that is just absolutely fundamentally stupid - "If Apple actually cared about accessibility (it does not)". There is no way you can say Apple doesn't care about accessibility. Another point I'd like to make - Even if there's an "advanced" feature like AirDrop, using Siri to schedule a meeting, or using an Apple Watch to receive directions, on your phone, it doesn't mean you will know how to use it immediately. And that is not by default a bad thing. But anyway, I think a lot of these features are easy to use. For example, when using the share sheet, AirDrop automatically appears at the top of the view. With names and images of nearby devices/contacts. Surely it couldn't be more intuitive? Maybe when people spend large amounts of money on something, they should put more effort into learning how to use it? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

NeedMoreTea 8y ago
> I don't think if someone can't use a device properly, that it's the manufacturers fault for making it hard to use. It absolutely, completely is. What pointers to the hidden features, or more information, are built into the very trivial onboarding phones provide? What quick reference leaflets are in the box? What brightly printed card with a QR code to the downloadable beginners guide, or full manual is there? What getting started app or link is there on the home screen? None at all. My microwave, stereo, car, kettle and lawnmower all included more get you going guides, links, sometimes PDFs, sometimes proper paper guides. For trivial often single purpose items. Search for a user guide for a phone, or Android/iOS and you'll get shitty third party sites and/or programming guides for developing apps. Apple happen to have a really comprehensive one, that's not exactly mentioned anywhere, that you can download into books. They could include it on all phones for zero effort and loss of a tiny amount of storage. Tech manufacturers should be deeply embarrassed. No need to include a 3 volume printed manual set, just a card or two signposting current, relevant resources. A simple app on the home screen would suffice too. > Maybe when people spend large amounts of money on something, they should put more effort into learning how to use it? Maybe the resources could be subtly telegraphed to the people when they spend large amounts of money on something. Like just about every other category of product in existence manages to a far fuller degree.
- chrishannah 8y ago
  > None at all. There's a mini user guide in every iPhone box. Also, Apple includes the Tips app by default on iPhones, that continuously prompts about features, and guides on how to use them.
  - NeedMoreTea 8y ago
    There's a card with the buttons named, and a few lines of small print on the back in silver grey print on grey, that is so short of contrast it's almost impossible to read in perfect light. 50% of the space is unused so a much larger font was possible. Hardly a mini user guide though - a card with one image and 3 or 4 sentences on the back. Only other things in the box were a sticker or two, and a single sheet of absurdly microscopic print with warranty and regulatory info etc. My recollection, which may be faulty as it's been a while, of the tips app is it included mostly bits of trivia but nothing particularly useful or substantive. Basically just tips - not especially surprising.

NeedMoreTea 8y ago

> I don't think if someone can't use a device properly, that it's the manufacturers fault for making it hard to use. It absolutely, completely is. What pointers to the hidden features, or more information, are built into the very trivial onboarding phones provide? What quick reference leaflets are in the box? What brightly printed card with a QR code to the downloadable beginners guide, or full manual is there? What getting started app or link is there on the home screen? None at all. My microwave, stereo, car, kettle and lawnmower all included more get you going guides, links, sometimes PDFs, sometimes proper paper guides. For trivial often single purpose items. Search for a user guide for a phone, or Android/iOS and you'll get shitty third party sites and/or programming guides for developing apps. Apple happen to have a really comprehensive one, that's not exactly mentioned anywhere, that you can download into books. They could include it on all phones for zero effort and loss of a tiny amount of storage. Tech manufacturers should be deeply embarrassed. No need to include a 3 volume printed manual set, just a card or two signposting current, relevant resources. A simple app on the home screen would suffice too. > Maybe when people spend large amounts of money on something, they should put more effort into learning how to use it? Maybe the resources could be subtly telegraphed to the people when they spend large amounts of money on something. Like just about every other category of product in existence manages to a far fuller degree.

chrishannah 8y ago
> None at all. There's a mini user guide in every iPhone box. Also, Apple includes the Tips app by default on iPhones, that continuously prompts about features, and guides on how to use them.
- NeedMoreTea 8y ago
  There's a card with the buttons named, and a few lines of small print on the back in silver grey print on grey, that is so short of contrast it's almost impossible to read in perfect light. 50% of the space is unused so a much larger font was possible. Hardly a mini user guide though - a card with one image and 3 or 4 sentences on the back. Only other things in the box were a sticker or two, and a single sheet of absurdly microscopic print with warranty and regulatory info etc. My recollection, which may be faulty as it's been a while, of the tips app is it included mostly bits of trivia but nothing particularly useful or substantive. Basically just tips - not especially surprising.