2 ms·

For the second case the play-pause button has the same problem: what does the 'play' button mean? That it's currently playing, or that when you click it, it wil

For the second case the play-pause button has the same problem: what does the 'play' button mean? That it's currently playing, or that when you click it, it will play? Same with paused. Is it paused now or does it pause when I click it?

xmcqdpt2 4y ago
That one wouldn't be confusing if people didn't attempt to save space by making it one button. The tape recorders, vcr and dvd players I've seen mostly have them on two different buttons: pause which stops the current recording or playback and separate play and record buttons. There is nothing confusing to PLAY / RECORD / STOP. Although I guess sometimes you have a joint pause play button especially on tv remotes and those ARE confusing. ETA: apparently HN doesn't like the pause button emoji so i had to use text.
- Sohcahtoa82 4y ago
  > ETA: apparently HN doesn't like the pause button emoji so i had to use text. HN doesn't like ANY emojis. Here's a smiling face, crying face, and elephant: You'll have to take my word for it that I actually put them in my comment.
ilyt 4y ago
In 2000's the "is playing" would be just "button looks pressed in", and same for "is paused", but today designers hate usability.