4 ms·
We've gained a lot, but also lost a lot, from going from mouse+keyboard to touch screen only. There's no more hover to discover, or an ALT key to hold to guide
by chaoticmass 4y ago
We've gained a lot, but also lost a lot, from going from mouse+keyboard to touch screen only. There's no more hover to discover, or an ALT key to hold to guide us as to what we can do and what does what. Gestures feel like magic spells that are great if you know them, but completely hidden if you don't. Not everything in the early days was obvious or intuitive, but at least we had more clues to guide us, and failing that, a manual to reference.
Microsoft, IBM, and others did huge amounts of user testing and research to get those early UI conventions you mention, and it served quite well. I lament that it has fallen out of favor.
- chaoticmass 4y agoI’ll add that for casual usage, the iOS ecosystem has been very enjoyable to use after I’ve gotten over the initial shock and have learned some tricks. Many tasks feel very natural and easy for every day usage. When I need to get some serious work done though I am much more productive with a keyboard and mouse. I have an iPad Mini 6 that I put into a case which gives me a usable keyboard and trackpad, and for me it has turned the iPad into a killer small portable device that gives me a nice blend of casual consumption device plus a real productivity device.